Asian Intense Laser Network

The Asian Intense Laser Network (AILN) is an organization established for the promotion of collaboration in the areas of intense laser science and technology among research groups in Asian countries and regions. This article gives an introduction to AILN, the charter of AILN and a list of AILN members.

• Introduction to AILN
• Charter of AILN
• List of AILN members

Introduction to AILN

The kick-off meeting for the AILN establishment was held in Jun. 17, 2004 at the time of the 1^st Asian Intense Laser Science Symposium held at the University of Tokyo. The starting members are organized among the participants of the kick-off meeting and the Symposium, consisting of 26 from 7 countries – Japan (12), Korea (5), Beijing (4), Taipei (2), India (1), Malaysia (1) and Canada (1). The AILN Charter has been approved by the starting members as of Aug. 25, 2004. AILN is expecting more members from the Asian community on intense laser science and technology; all qualified group representatives are welcome to join AILN.

The mission and objectives of the Asian Intense Laser Network, as stated in the Charter, are to promote collaboration in the areas of intense laser science and technology among research groups in Asian countries and regions. Through the network activities, AILN will arrange platforms for discussions among representatives of institutions having high-intensity laser facilities and members of user communities aimed at international collaborative activities among Asian countries. AILN will organize workshops, summer schools and conferences dedicated to intense laser science and technology, enhancing research productivity and competitiveness through the network activities. AILN will be linked to other international networks on intense laser science and technology, such as IUPAP ICUIL (International Committee on Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers).

The AILN Board, the executive body of AILN, consists of the AILN Chair and Co-Chairs, Chairs of Panels and AILN Secretary. The Board is responsible for activity plans and policies. The current board members are as follows:

Chair: Yoshiaki Kato (Japan)
Co-Chairs: Jong Min Lee (Korea), Deepak Mathur (India),  Jyhpyng Wang (Taipei), Kaoru Yamanouchi (Japan) and  Jie Zhang (Beijing)
Secretary: Chang Hee Nam (Korea)

They are the initial Board members of the network, and the chairs of Panels, after organization, will be also Board members. (Please note that the designation of countries and regions follows that of IUPAP.)

Financial support for AILN activities may come from multi-national collaboration projects initiated by AILN members. Some initial funding to the network activities will be available through the collaboration project among China, Japan and Korea, and other similar funding sources are also expected to support a range of network activities as more specific plans are formulated. As with the good starting of the network, a variety of AILN activities will be launched so as to strongly activate research on intense laser science and technology in Asian community.

Charter of the AILN

1. Preamble

The Asian Intense Laser Network (AILN) is an organization established for the promotion of collaboration in the areas of intense laser science and technology among research groups in Asian countries and regions.

2. Mission and Objectives

2.1 The Asian Intense Laser Network (AILN) is an organization concerned with high intensity laser science and technology among Asian countries and regions.

2.2 The objectives of AILN are:

1. To provide a platform for discussions between representatives of institutions having high-intensity laser facilities and members of user communities aimed at international collaborative activities among Asian countries, such as the development of ultrashort high intensity lasers, exploration of new areas of fundamental and applied research using such lasers, and formation of research networks in Asia for access to advanced facilities by users.
2. To promote unity and coherence in the field by convening workshops, summer schools and conferences dedicated to intense laser science and technology.
3. To accelerate progress in the field by sharing information, exploring opportunities for joint procurement, and exchanging equipment, ideas and personnel among laser laboratories in Asia.
4. To attract students and young researchers to intense laser science and technology by promoting their education and training, their interactions with prominent scientists, and providing access to the latest equipment, discoveries and techniques.
5. To strengthen and exploit synergy with other relevant fields and techniques.

3. AILN Membership

3.1 AILN Membership may be composed of representatives of the following scientific communities:

• The community of intense laser laboratories in Asia 
• The user community of these laboratories
• Other scientific and industrial communities with strong links to intense laser science and technology
• Theorists who work on intense laser science
• Experts from non-Asian countries closely linked with Asian intense laser community

3.2 Generally, one membership is offered to one research group. Membership terms are for three years and can be renewed. Term starting/ending dates could vary, in order to maintain continuity.

4. Organization and Decision Making

4.1 AILN is composed of three organizational bodies

• The General Assembly, comprising all AILN Members
• AILN Panels, composed of AILN Members and, if appropriate, selected External Experts
• The AILN Board, consisting of the AILN Chair and Co-Chairs, Chairs of Panels and an AILN Secretary, whose terms are for three years

4.2 Decisions are taken by majority vote during meetings, and, if necessary, through written vote in the interim period between meetings. Decisions of the General Assembly require at least 50% participation by AILN members.

4.3 Attendance at the General Assembly meetings should be in person and substitution may be permitted with a prior written notice to one of Board Members.  Members unable to attend or to make substitution may transfer their vote to another member, whereby each attendant may carry no more than one transferred vote. Transfer of vote requires written notice to the Chair prior to the meeting.

5. Distribution of Powers and Responsibilities

5.1 The General Assembly is called in and chaired by the AILN Chair at least once in two years. Each AILN Member has one seat and vote. The decision making power extends to important issues, in particular the Charter, appointment of the AILN Board, annual activity plan, activity reports, membership issues and issues related to other scientific organizations.

5.2 The AILN Board is the executive body of AILN. The Board Members consist of the AILN Chair and Co-Chairs, Chairs of Panels and the AILN Secretary. The Board is responsible for activity plans and policies. It supervises and co-ordinates the activities of the AILN Panels. The Board decides the acceptance of new membership applications recommended by a Board member or requested directly by applicants. The Board will hold regular meetings at least once a year, chaired by the AILN Chair.

5.3 The AILN Chair represents AILN in the outside world in accordance with the Charter. The AILN Chair is appointed by the General Assembly. The AILN Chair may appoint one of the Co-Chair(s) as substitute.

5.4 Neither the Board nor any of its members may sign any legally binding contracts or commitments on behalf of AILN. Exceptions within explicit financial, temporal or other limits will have to be approved in advance by the Board.

5.5 AILN Panels may be set up by the Board and charged to pursue specific tasks in accordance with AILN's mission and objectives. The Panel Chair will be a member of the AILN Board and report at regular intervals to the AILN Board. The Board will review the Panel activities and take a decision in regular intervals of no more than three years about the continuation of the Panel.

6.Terms and Duration

This Charter will become effective upon approval by the AILN General Assembly. It will be in effect until it is changed through a decision by the General Assembly.

List of founding AILN members