Scientific Profile
Research in the field of the condensed matter physics has been launched in the Institute of Physics just after its establishment in 1952. Initially, research activity was mostly focused in
the field of low-temperature physics, studies of the phases of rotating superfluid 4He. However, starting from 1960s, along with the development of the institute, both theoretical and
experimental research activities in the field of superconductivity and magnetism, have been intensively initiated. At the same time, after the launch of the Institute’s research nuclear
reactor in 1959, extensive research workin the field of solid state physics and low-temperature radiational material scienceshas been carried out.
In the beginning of 70s, soon after the discovery of the superfluidity of 3He,theoretical studies of the properties of superfluid phases of this unique quantum liquid has started in the
Department. Later this activity developsinto a successful participation inthe international collaboration with colleagues from the Moscow Kapitza Institute of Physical Problems and the
Low-Temperature laboratory at the Helsinki University of Technology within the project ROTA in 1979-1980. Approximately at the same period started theoretical studies of the low
dimensional strongly correlated electron and spin systems as well as of the exactly solvable (integrable) models the low-dimensional quantum field theory and condensed matter physics.
Approximately to the same period of the Institute development could be attributed start of the intensive theoretical and experimental research activity in the field of magnetic
spectroscopy, using technique of electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as well as of the low-temperature calorimetric studies of crystals,
based on developed in the Institute methods of differential calorimetry. All above listed research methods still maintain important position in the list of methods used in department's
current research activities.
Soon after the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in 1986, an intensive theoretical and experimental studies of this extremely interesting and still unresolved
phenomenon began in the department. Superconductivity of new materials, including the high Tc superconductors, remains as one of the main topics of the research activity in the Department.
In last years, along with the development of nanotechnologies, the physics of nano-systems has been in the focus of scientific interests of the department. Traditional for the
department research in the fields of superconductivity, unusual magnetism and crystal physics found a natural continuation in the research of the properties of actual nanoscopic objects of
these materials. An important priority for the department is experimental and theoretical study of the functional quantum materials.
Structure
Staff of the department consists of 30 research scientists and support personnel.Among them two full members of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, 25 Doctors of Science and Doctors of Philosophy.
Since June 2018, Professor, Doctor of Sciences, Alexander Shengelaya is the Head of Department.
International Cooperation
The department participates in long-term and versatile scientific cooperation with the following world's leading centers in the field of condensed matter physics, such as
- Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (Trieste, Italy);
- Paul Scherer Institute (PSI) Switzerland;
- Federal Institute for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) Switzerland;
- International Institute of Physics (IIP) (Natal, Brazil);
- Max Planck Institute for Solid Matter Physics (Stuttgart);
- Universities of Zurich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Leipzig, Versailles.
Organized Conferences
Over the years, the department has been the organizer and co-organizer of a number of international conferences in the field of condensed matter physics. between them:
1. First Soviet-France Conference on Low-Temperature Physics (1967);
2. Annual USSR Winter Schools on Low-Temperature Physics (Bakuriani, Georgia,
1970-1990);
3. Annual USSR Winter Schools on Material Sciences and Radiational Solid State Physics
(Bakuriani, Georgia, 1970-1990);
4. Soviet-American Conference on Condensed Matter Physics (Tbilisi, Georgia, 1988).
Annual Schools for young researchers“Modern Trends in Physics” (1996-2006);
5. International Workshop "Low Dimensional Physics and Gauge Principles"
(Tbilisi, 2011);
6. International Conference“Low-dimensional emergentphenomena in correlated
systems and topological matter” (Tbilisi,2019).
Pedagogical Activity
The department has a longlife and solid traditions in training of young researchers, both within the traditional postgraduate system of the Academy of Science or in cooperation with
university departments. From the very first years of its establishment the department intensively cooperated with the Faculty of Physics of the Tbilisi State University. For many
years, members of the department E. Andronikashvili, G. Khutsishvili, L. Buishvili, G. Kharadze, Yu. Mamaladze, G. Vachnadze, M. Zviadadze have been professors of the faculty. Today
pedagogical traditions of the Department are successfuly continued -professors A. Shengelaya at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and
A. A. Nersesyan and G. I. Japaridze at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Medicine of the Ilia state University, lead master's and doctoral programs in condensed matter physics. Their
students, after completing master and PhD studies in the Department, usually quitу successfully continue their work in leading scientific institutions of Georgia and abroad.
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