INFN-LNF Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati
The new EU-funded project PACRI (Plasma Accelerator systems for Compact Research Infrastructures) officially started with a kick-off meeting in Trieste from March 12 to 14, 2025.
PACRI is a €10 million project aimed at revolutionizing plasma accelerator technologies for next-generation research infrastructures such as EuPRAXIA and ELI-Beamlines.
The PACRI project focuses on three main research areas: high-repetition-rate plasma modules (coordinated by Massimo Ferrario, INFN-LNF), advanced RF linear accelerator technologies (coordinated by Gerardo d’Auria, also P.I. of the whole PACRI project, Elettra), and high-power laser systems (coordinated by Leonida Gizzi, CNR). By achieving breakthroughs in these fields, PACRI will reduce the size, cost, and environmental impact of accelerators, enabling their use in diverse applications such as medical imaging, materials diagnostics, and even compact colliders.
PACRI is a partnership among 18 universities and international research laboratories, supported by 7 industrial partners, and funded under the European Commission’s HORIZON-INFRA-2024 programme.
The kick-off meeting brought together all the partners involved to present and discuss their respective tasks. Presentation were given for each of the 14 interlinked PACRI work packages, including project management, scientific and industrial exploitation. The technical discussions covered theory and simulations, plasma structures, diagnostics and instrumentation, RF technology, and laser technology.
INFN will contribute to the PACRI project with a particular focus on R&D for the high-repetition-rate plasma module, taking the lead on a dedicated work package (coordinated by Angelo Biagioni, INFN-LNF). Additional contributions will include beam–plasma interaction modelling, by INFN-Milano and the development of a new RF compression system (BOC) at LNF.
The kick-off meeting included the first PACRI General Assembly, where work package leaders were appointed, and a visit to the Elettra synchrotron facility.