Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser (IESL/FORTH)
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), N. Plastira 100, 70013 Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion Crete, Greece.
IESL was founded in 1983 and since then, it has established its international presence in the areas of Laser Science, Micro/nano-electronics, Polymer Science, and Materials Science occupying a distinct position in the international scientific map in several of these fields. IESL is primarily a Physics & Materials Institute aiming at performing high quality fundamental and applied scientific research, which is focused on two main research directions - Laser Science & Photonics and Materials & Devices Science & Technology. The latter includes micro/nano-electronics of compound semiconductors and their devices, nanomaterials and nanophotonics, polymers and soft matter, biomaterials, electronic, magnetic and photonic materials, hybrid nanomaterials and meta-materials. The objectives of the Institute are: to perform high-quality research, to develop and exploit expertise in selected advanced technological fields and to provide education and training to young scientists. IESL operates the Ultraviolet Laser Facility since 1990, which is part of a European research infrastructure (LASERLAB EUROPE), is part of the CHARISMA European research infrastructure on Cultural Heritage, of the NFFA on nanoscience foundries & fine analysis and of the EUSMI European Research Infrastructure which aims to enhance the European competitiveness in soft-matter research and innovation. In the last evaluation of Greek Research Institutes by an International Committee of Experts, IESL was evaluated as the best Institute in Greece receiving the highest possible grade of 5.0/5.0.
IESL serves as partner in Innovation-EL and as an access-site for the synthesis of polymers, nanohybrids and colloidal nanocrystals, for materials growth and deposition as well as for micro-nanofabrication. Moreover, it serves as an access-site for advanced structural & morphological, physicochemical, thermal, rheological, interfacial and dynamical characterization of materials.