IESL, founded in 1983, has established its international presence by performing high quality fundamental and applied research in the areas of Applied Photonics and Light-Matter Interactions, Soft Matter, Quantum Optics and Photonics, Micro/nano-electronics, as well as Photonic and Quantum Materials. IESL is an active partner in the European Research Infrastructures Programme, providing resources and services to research communities to conduct research and promote innovation within the framework of the European Roadmap for Research Infrastructures ESFRI. Since 1990, IESL has operated the Ultraviolet Laser Facility, which is part of the Lasers4EU European Infrastructure (Laserlab Europe).

Simultaneously, IESL participates in the research infrastructures ReMade@ARI (Circular Economy), NFF and RIANA (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology), as well as ACTPHAST 4.0 and 4R (Photonics for SMEs or Researchers). Furthermore, it leads and participates in the National infrastructures HELLAS-CH (Lasers and Cultural Heritage), Innovation-el (Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials and Micro-nanoelectronics), BIOIMAGING-GR (Bio-Imaging), HAMI (Hybrid Additive Manufacturing), as well as the Region of Crete's infrastructure HISENS (Sensors for Health and Agrifood). Additionally, it participates in the new European strategy for strengthening microchip research, development, and production, Chips Act 2.0, through the HCCC Competence Center and the SMARTEC program, which led to the creation of the first Greek pilot production line for Micro/Nano Electronic Circuits (Hellenic Chips Act Initiative).

Furthermore, IESL participates as a national node in the E-RIHS European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) for Heritage Science, which supports the study, interpretation, conservation, documentation, and management of cultural heritage. It also actively contributes to the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), a European Union initiative aimed at creating a shared digital infrastructure that will connect institutions and professionals in the cultural heritage field across the European Union. The European Collaborative Cloud seeks to add a digital dimension to the preservation, conservation, restoration, and promotion of cultural heritage, providing cutting-edge technology for the digitization of objects and research in the cultural heritage domain.

Important scientific achievements by IESL personnel have led to International Awards and distinctions from major International Societies