The aim of the project is to explore the physical properties of materials in the range of environmental conditions encountered in space. In particular, we study the properties of condensed molecular films (ices) and their gas-phase components as well as materials proposed for utilisation in space. The experiments will be performed under (i) ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, (ii) across the range of temperatures typically encountered in space, and (iii) during exposure to space radiation encompassing ions with energies over the keV and MeV range, thus mimicking the solar wind.

The project can be divided into two distinct but complementary work-packages, focusing on (1) the physical structure of ices in space, and (2) the irradiation of materials (including astrophysically relevant ices and gases that show potential for applications in space exploration) under conditions analogous to those encountered in space.

Project budget: 119 880 000 HUF

The aim of the project is to improve the theoretical background on which device-independent quantum cryptography is based to a level that it becomes feasible in real-life applications. We will achieve this by investigating new Bell nonlocality tests which are the foundation of quantum cryptography, by streamlining security proofs, and by inventing new experimental setups.

ATOMKI contributes to the project by creating mathematical techniques to designing quantum communication devices that are distributed in novel network topologies.

• Project coordinator: Prof. Marcin Pawłowski (University of Gdańsk, PL)
• Consortium partners: University of Gdańsk (PL), INRIA Lyon (FR), ETH Zurich (CH), ATOMKI (HU)
• Budget of the whole project: 1.064.600 EUR
• Budget of ATOMKI: 60.706.800 HUF

The non-equilibrium plasmas are weakly ionized gases containing electrons, neutral and charged molecular species, large clusters and nanoparticles. They are of key importance for advanced materials and nanostructures, for astrophysics and planetary atmospheres. They are governed by phenomena of highly diverse nature and take place on scales ranging from atomic size to that of plasma, including collisional processes between electrons and atoms/molecules leading to dissociations, excitations and ionizations, collisions of radicals and plasma-surface interactions. We are curious on how small secondary radicals produced through the interaction of the hydrocarbon plasma feed gas with electrons contribute, via ionization/recombination/dissociation processes, to the plasma properties. Quantum chemistry and scattering calculations will be carried out to investigate the reaction dynamics, to identify the reaction routes and to calculate the corresponding cross sections and rate coefficients.

This project aims at overcoming the main limitations of state-of-the-art quantum cryptography by radically shifting the current paradigms - by using a device-independent cryptographic (DIC) architecture. This is more demanding in terms of experimental resources and theoretical understanding, but provides a qualitative improvement in digital security.

ATOMKI contributes to the project by providing new optimization tools for DIC protocols and by devising more efficient Bell inequalities with improved critical detection efficiency bounds.

• Project coordinator: Prof. Jan Bouda (Masaryk University, CZ)
• Consortium partners: Masaryk University (CZ); Austrian Academy of Sciences (AT); University of Gdańsk (PL); ETH Zurich (CH); ATOMKI (HU)
• Budget of the whole project: 1.356.616,2 EUR
• Budget of ATOMKI: 37.516.097 HUF

The aim of the project is to establish an internationally competitive AMS C-14 competence centre which is able to develop and market new and efficient sample preparation devices for the radiocarbon measurements and to provide high-level training regarding measurement technology.

Based on the scientific background and professional staff of Atomki, together with the equipment development and manufacturing experience of Isotoptech Zrt., a knowledge transfer centre promptly adapting to the worldwide rapidly expanding AMS C-14 analytical demands is going to be established, which is able to serve the recent research approaches and the demands of the market.

Recent technological advances have made it possible to apply quantum information science for a wide range of information tasks. We are witnessing a new quantum revolution that would guarantee communication security and provide outstanding computing power. However, it also sets great challenges regarding the certification task that the new quantum devices and protocols operate according to specification. Indeed, given a quantum device, how could the user of this device make sure that it performs a certain computational problem properly? This quantum certification task stands out as a key aspect in the EU Quantum Technologies Program as well. The aim of the project is to establish a new research line in the certification of complex quantum systems using large-scale tools, crucial for future device-independent quantum technologies.

The aim of the project is to enhance the Hungarian research opportunities related to the ELI-ALPS Laser Institute, while also trying to establish new research topics (e.g. time resolved atomic processes). The University of Pécs who is the leader of the consortium, together with the Centre for Energy Research is developing a new kind of electron acceleration method that could be adapted for usage at the ELI-ALPS. The Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki) develops an experimental tool and wants to realize a scientific program based on it using the available infrastructure at Szeged. The scientific goals include studying the effects of few-cycle laser pulses in ionization and investigating the timescale dynamics of complex processes of atomic electrons.

• Total financial support: 297.096.952 Ft
• University of Pécs (leader of consortium): 134.185.137 Ft
• Institute for Nuclear Research: 118.906.383 Ft
• Centre for Energy Research: 44.005.432 Ft

The aim of this project is to investigate the geo-, hydro- and biosphere of the past and present using isotope geochemical tools in climatology. These techniques are essential to understand the extent and impacts of past and present climate changes. The research direction of the newly-established Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Centre covers many fields of science; the broad spectrum of state-of-the-art scientific research methodology will include physics, geology, geochemistry, hydrology, atmosphere and climate studies. The project aims to develop and/or phase in new isotopic geochemical methods in our country and in the region. A world-class isotopic climate research centre and knowledgebase will be created as part of the systematic research program in Hungary.

The research project is implemented in the MTA Atomki in Debrecen in close scientific cooperation with local and foreign researchers building on existing infrastructure and methods.

The aim of the project is dissemination which means throwing seeds around, in other words distribution of knowledge. The project has six major and some minor activities:

• traveling physics and
• interdisciplinary workshop

both with different topics in the four terms: water, protection systems of the Earth, cold - warm and energy,

• interactive multimedia (Miasma - or Devil's Stone, interactive film),
• international school before the conference Nuclei in the Cosmos,
• Atomki brochures,
• Atomki webpage.