European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy

The European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS) is an interdisciplinary research center established by the Italian Ministry of Education in 1991[1] within the University of Florence thanks to the initiative of Prof. Salvatore Califano.

The current LENS director, appointed by the Rector of the University of Florence on the proposal of the Directive Council, is Elisabetta Cerbai.

The director shall be assisted by a European Committee composed of the Rectors and Presidents of universities and affiliated research organizations or their representatives.

After many years on the historic hill of Arcetri, since 1995 LENS is located within the Science and Technology Campus in Sesto Fiorentino.

LENS foundation was started by a group of researchers involved in atomic and molecular laser spectroscopy, but during three decades its research activity has grown and diversified to also cover cold atoms physics (Bose–Einstein condensate and Fermi gas), physics of complex and disordered systems, photochemistry, biochemistry and biophysics, quantum biology, materials science, photonics, biophotonics, condensed matter physics, and the analysis, preservation and restoration of artistic heritage.