Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster:
“International Powerhouse and a Model for Europe”

In a first ever interview together, Helmut Dosch and Ulf Karlsson talk about the purpose and aims of the German-Swedish collaboration.

What is the purpose of the Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster?

Dosch: In view of the excellent research infrastructure such as the brilliant X-ray sources and the neutron sources that are put in place in Hamburg and in Lund, it became evident that both countries, Germany and Sweden, have to work much closer together. After there has been prominent focus on the infrastructures in the past, the Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster allows us now to better emphasize research. By joining forces we will make the best scientific use out of these outstanding facilities.

Karlsson: I personally have come to Hamburg since 1980 to pursue research. There has been a long tradition by Swedish scientists to use DESY’s research facilities. Now we want to broaden and deepen this collaboration in a structured way by working together very closely on utilizing synchrotron radiation and neutron sources in the fields of materials research and structural biology – fields where our research facilities offer excellent research opportunities.

Would you say the Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster stands out from other collaborations?

Karlsson: It was a rather unusual decision for Sweden to collaborate with one specific country only and one has to give credit to the Swedish government to establish this novel collaboration structure. The Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster is indeed very unique and we have already received any applicants and project proposals from German-Swedish research teams.

Dosch: The Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster is a whole new strategic cooperation. It demonstrates that something has changed on the Governmental level. It shows that Ministers understand that any future development requires the promotion of science and research at the core level and strategic cooperation with partner countries on a bilateral or multilateral level.

What are you hoping to achieve?

Dosch: We would like to become an international powerhouse and create a European Centre of Excellence in Northern Europe.  Eventually this German-Swedish collaboration of joint funding and joint programming could be a role model for other research-intensive regions in Europe.

Karlsson: In fact, we are also open to international partners. We have had talks with several other countries and the Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster can be a model for the Baltic Science links. Other countries can join as long as they participate in co-funding the research programs. Science does not know any national borders.

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