The University of Rostock and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are planning to establish a joint institute to pool their expertise in the still young research field of high-energy density physics. The two institutions set out these plans in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a ceremony on August 1, 2024. At the same time, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig, and the Minister President of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, confirmed the support of both federal states for the establishment of the High Energy Density Institute (HEDI) in Rostock in a declaration of intent.

The focus of the facility will be on researching matter under extreme conditions, such as those found in the interior of planets and stars. Such states of high energy density play an important role in many future technologies based on the rapid heating of condensed matter, especially in inertial fusion energy (IFE). However, the underlying physics is extremely complex. In addition, the focus of research to date has tended to be on the mechanical aspects. HEDI is primarily intended to deepen knowledge of the physical processes involved in IFE in order to support technological implementation in fusion power plants.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony are therefore supporting the establishment of the new institute, as the Minister President of the Free State, Michael Kretschmer, emphasizes: “Openness to technology and a spirit of innovation are paramount in Saxony. In addition to international networking, it is also important to find partners within Germany with whom we can tackle climate change and drive forward the energy transition. The cooperation between the HZDR and the University of Rostock opens doors to a new future technology and new scientific findings that we can use to reorganize the generation of electricity and heat in the future. I am confident that the combined expertise of Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will deliver impressive results. The research at HEDI will be a great opportunity for a secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply in Germany and Europe in the long term. As an energy state, the Free State of Saxony is delighted to be actively shaping this process.”

The magnitude of the challenge requires all expertise and research potential to be combined synergistically and geared towards the common goal of society - securing the energy supply of the future, emphasizes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister President, Manuela Schwesig: “Currently, our most important common task is to convert our energy supply as far as possible to renewable energies. At the same time, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is supporting research into alternative energy sources, as demonstrated by the Wendelstein 7-X fusion plant in Greifswald. The new institute will also be active in the field of fusion research. I think it is right that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony are pooling their expertise in this field,” said Minister President Schwesig.

Laser fusion, astrophysics and novel materials

Leading centers in the field of IFE, such as the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, have already expressed strong interest in collaborating with HEDI to build up expertise and infrastructure in Germany. The University of Rostock and the HZDR also want to use the joint institute to strengthen the strategic partnership with the international X-ray laser research facility European XFEL and initiate new collaborations. To this end, the partners want to construct a building in the immediate vicinity of the University of Rostock. Further locations are to follow on the research campus in Dresden-Rossendorf and on the site of the European XFEL, where the HZDR operates the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF). In the start-up phase, the partners intend to apply for more funding from scientific programs of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Free State of Saxony as well as from the federal government.

In addition to a better understanding of laser fusion, the intended research into matter at high energy density could also answer fundamental questions in astrophysics, such as the formation and architecture of our solar system and the Earth. These findings could also have an impact on the search for life on extrasolar planets. In addition, the extreme energy densities, which have never occurred naturally on Earth, could help to synthesize completely new materials. HEDI could thus help to break new ground in this hitherto largely unknown field of materials science.

Rostock + Dresden = excellent conditions

Sebastian Gemkow, Saxony's Minister of Science, believes that the conditions for this are excellent: “Both Rostock and Dresden offer an outstanding environment for the establishment of HEDI. As our SPIN2030 science campaign makes clear, Saxony also has excellent expertise in the fields of materials research, high-performance radiation sources and nanoanalytics. This enables the development of innovative technologies, for example in laser-based fusion research.”

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Science Minister, Bettina Martin, also sees great potential for the planned institute: “The new HEDI institute will put us at the forefront of global nuclear fusion research. This is an enormous opportunity for the research location of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to play in the premier league in the future development of new energy technologies. The University of Rostock has many years of experience and internationally renowned expertise in the field of high-density plasma physics. Top-level research in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will receive an enormous boost from the cooperation between the University of Rostock and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. It will also be a magnet for young scientists.”

Boost for education

In order to achieve this, the University of Rostock and the HZDR are also aiming for joint professorships and an exchange of employees and scholarship holders through the cooperation. In this way, the institute can advance the training of researchers urgently needed for high-energy density physics and laser fusion, according to the Rector of the University of Rostock, Prof. Elizabeth Prommer: “We set up a Master's program a long time ago that deals with the fundamentals of laser fusion. In addition, there are unique opportunities for summer schools and graduate colleges with relevant international participation. We are very proud to be able to further advance research and teaching on this future technology here in Rostock and make a significant contribution to finding pioneering answers to the energy issues of the future.”

Thanks to this technical expertise, the University of Rostock is the ideal partner for the Scientific Director of the HZDR, Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt, to establish a pioneering program in the field of high-energy density physics: “In recent years, we have developed globally unique infrastructures to study matter under extreme conditions. With HEDI, we are now taking the next step to advance laser fusion in an interdisciplinary environment. I look forward to establishing the institute together with our partners.”