M. Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Dimitra Ladika: VU Builds a Strong Scientific Community with Global Impact

A prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship has been granted to Dr Dimitra Ladika, a researcher at the Laser Research Center of the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University (VU LRC). She will implement the project “Multiphoton Lithography and Advanced Materials Engineering for the Generation of Shaped Single and Multispectral Emission at the Nanoscale (SHINE)”. This time, it is the only MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship grant in Lithuania.

Lasers Will Shape the Next Generation of Miniaturised Emitting Systems

“Multi-photon lithography (MPL) can be thought of as a very precise 3D “pen” that uses a femtosecond laser instead of ink nozzle. When this laser “pen” interacts with a special light-sensitive material, it locally solidifies it, turning it from a liquid-like state into a solid. By moving this “pen” in three dimensions, it is possible to build complex 3D structures point by point. Because the laser can write extremely fine features, MPL enables the fabrication of structures with very high resolution, much smaller than a human hair,” the physicist explains.

Dr Ladika, in her project SHINE, aims to expand the application limits of MPL, focusing on the creation of tiny three-dimensional structures that can emit light in the visible spectrum. The goal of this project is to create 3D structures much thinner than a human hair that can produce light in a more reliable and tunable way. Addressing the engineering of material properties through the incorporation of emissive elements, combined with high-temperature post‑processing techniques applied after fabrication, will enable shaped visible light emission at very small scales.

According to her, as high-tech applications increasingly aim to miniaturise more complex components, laser-based techniques employed at the VU LRC will foster the fabrication and investigation of extremely fine three-dimensional photonic systems. Building on expertise in MPL and materials engineering, the research focuses on how these systems can shape visible light, including its wavelength, intensity and phase. The implementation of this project will open new opportunities for multifunctional applications in photonics, sensing, and advanced optical technologies.

High‑tech Expertise Concentrated at VU

“I knew that Lithuania was a leader in the field of high technology. During the few years I spent in Vilnius, I was able to see this for myself. VU is home to a very strong community of researchers with exceptional expertise,” says Dr Ladika. She conducts her research in light technologies at the VU LRC in the Laser Nanophotonics Group led by Prof. Mangirdas Malinauskas.

 “During my time at VU, I have seen firsthand the strong expertise in laser and photonics research, as well as a collaborative and supportive scientific environment. This has been both inspiring and encouraging for my research, and it played an important role in shaping my SHINE project. It also confirmed that this is the right place to carry it out. Over the past decade, Vilnius has established itself as an important centre for photonics and laser technologies. In this context, I could not have chosen a better place to grow as a researcher and bring new ideas to life,” says Dr Ladika.

She is particularly impressed by the strong scientific community at VU and the supportive research environment. The community at the VU Faculty of Physics is both motivating and encouraging, offering everything needed for professional development. From the very start of their bachelor’s studies, students at the VU Faculty of Physics gain theoretical and practical knowledge and take part in scientific research.

Arrived from Greece

“Vilnius has been a very positive surprise. When I first arrived in Lithuania from Crete, I knew very little about the city and the country. Although I was aware of the advancements in light technologies being developed here, I did not expect Vilnius to be such a beautiful city,” the physicist says.

Dr Ladika’s journey with VU LRC began in 2023, when she arrived as a Laserlab-Europe research visitor to carry out key measurements for the final stage of her PhD research. After completing her PhD, she returned in 2024 as a postdoctoral research visitor, supported by the VU Centre of Excellence for Advanced Light Technologies. Since then, her connection with VU LRC has only grown stronger. She was one of the winners of the 2024 Young Scientist Co-Funding competition, her research is supported by the VU Foundation.

“I learned a lot during my time here and developed many new ideas, always guided by the advice of my PhD supervisor, Dr Maria Farsari, who encouraged me to ‘think big’. This mindset shaped the development of my MSCA project,” she says.

Dr Ladika completed her bachelor's studies at the University of Patras and both her master's and doctoral studies at the University of Crete in Greece, worked at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH) in Greece under the supervision of Dr Farsari.