Within the LOEWE Research Cluster "Nuclear Photonics", scientists at TU Darmstadt study how modern laser systems can be used to develop novel particle sources and use them in basic research and applications. This work interconnects laser technology, accelerator science, and nuclear physics. Innovative sources of intense photon and neutron sources allow new insights into the structure of matter to be gathered and hold promises for future applications in research and development as well as industry and techology. With the LOEWE Research Cluster an international center in research and teaching is established: The experience of the closely collaborating groups is based on local research infrastucture in Darmstadt, in particular the superconducting Darmstadt electron accelerator S-DALINAC and the high-intensity laser system PHELIX at the GSI Helmholtz Research Centre for Heavy-ion Research. Students and partners in science and industry find here a contact point for nuclear-photonics research world-wide, in particular for future experiments at the new international major research infrastructure ELI (Extreme Light Infrastructure) with its pillars ELI-Beamlines in the Czech Republic and ELI-Nuclear Physics in Romania.