Recommendations
of the Programme Advisory Committee
for Condensed Matter Physics
23rd meeting, 14-15 November 2005
Wojciech Nawrocik
JINR Scientific Council, 19-20 January 2006
The PAC highly appreciated the
JINR Director Professor V. Kadyshevsky’s
participation at the 23rd PAC meeting.
The PAC thanks Professor V. Kadyshevsky, the JINR
Director during 1992–2005, for the strong support
given to the condensed matter physics, biological and
medical research and to the development and upgrade
of the dedicated instrumental infrastructure.
The PAC congratulates Professor A. Sissakian
a new Director of JINR and wishes him successful
leadership of the Institute.
PAC believes that A. Sissakian will contribute his
effort to the development in JINR of condensed mater
physics, biological and medical sciences as well as
nuclear and high-energy physics.
The PAC heard with interest
V.Zhabitsky’s presentation
of the 98th JINR Scientific Council Resolutions
June 2005
The PAC appreciates
V. Zhabitsky’s and G. Shirkov’s well prepared and
instructive reports given at the PAC meetings.
IBR-2 reactor
•The PAC was informed by V. Ananiev about the status
of the modernization of the IBR-2 reactor. The PAC
expects that the JINR and FLNP directorates will take
all necessary measures to
ensure the continuation of the work for IBR-2
modernization according to schedule.
•The PAC appreciates the important contribution by
V. Ananiev and his team to the reactor modernization
activity.
Programme of Condensed Matter Physics Research
for 2006–2008
The PAC took note of the proposals for the
JINR Programme of Condensed Matter Physics
Research for 2006–2008 presented by laboratories,
in which the available resources will be concentrated
on the most important directions of research and
endorses these proposals.
The PAC recommends continuation of the
research activities under the following themes in
2006 with first priority.
Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics:
“Neutron investigations of the structure and
dynamics of condensed matter”,
“Development and creation of elements of
neutron spectrometers for condensed matter
investigations”, as well as
“Upgrade of the IBR-2 complex” as a flagship
activity of JINR.
Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions:
“Radiation effects and modification of materials,
radioanalytical and radioisotopic investigations at
the FLNR accelerators”.
Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics
“Theory of condensed matter”.
Theory of condensed matter
•The major focus in the field of complex materials is the
theoretical analysis of the strongly correlated electron
systems, like cuprates, vanadates, manganites.
•This involves investigations of novel cooperative
phenomena, superconductivity, new forms of order, lowdimensional magnetism and frustrated systems.
•Extensive experimental investigations of these materials
performed by neutron scattering methods in the FLNP also
strongly motivate development of theoretical investigations
in the field.
•Key research directions of nanostructures will
include theoretical studies of the electronic,
magnetic, thermal and transport characteristics
of various novel nanoscaled materials; carbon
nanostructures are of particular interest.
Dynamics of many-particle systems and coherent
phenomena
• Different types of stochastic dynamics, in particular,
description of avalanche dynamics, propagation of
signals in non-linear and non-stable media, irreversible
processes which classify the non-equilibrium statistical
physics will be studied.
•Self-organization in biological systems, as e.g.,
investigation of a kinetic model of virus mutations in
the presence of an immune system, and fluctuations
in highway traffics are key examples.
•Coherent phenomena and quantum properties in
mesoscopic systems will be studied. The main examples
are quantum wells, wires, dots, atomic traps, photon
confinement in a band-gap material.
Laboratory of Radiation Biology:
“Radiation and radiobiological investigations at the
JINR basic facilities an in the environment”.
Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems:
“Further development of methods and instrumentation
for radiotherapy and associated diagnostics with JINR
hadron beams”.
Draft road map in the field of condensed matter physics
In accordance with the Scientific Council’s
recommendation that JINR Directorate formulate a road
map to achieve the strategic goals of the Institute
research programme for the coming 10 years as the next
step in the planning process initiated with the current
seven-year programme.
The first draft of such a road map for condensed
matter physics was presented by A. Belushkin.
The PAC endorses the proposed draft and
recommends its further elaboration, taking into account
the comments and suggestions made at 23rd PAC
meeting, in particular a better structuring in terms of
the priority fields of research at JINR, namely basic
research, applied research, and educational programme.
The PAC is concerned that the momentum of the
condensed matter programme should be maintained over
the three-year shut-down period of IBR-2.
There is a particular urgency to secure the
continuing research activity of young scientists based
at JINR – either through placement at international
neutron facilities or through association with assignment
to appropriate University groups.
For successful implementation of the strategic
research programme of JINR it is of vital importance
to attract young scientists from Member States by
providing all necessary conditions for work at JINR,
including substantial salary increase.
Development of IBR-2 spectrometers
The PAC heard a plan for the development of
spectrometers at IBR-2 presented by A. Balagurov.
The PAC would appreciate a more detailed
evaluation of the spectrometer development projects
in accordance with the needs of the Institute’s
strategic research programme in condensed matter
physics.
Discussion of the new project
The PAC took note of the report, presented by
G.
Shirkov,
on
the
theme
“DELSY”,
previously
approved for completion in 2005.
The PAC heard a proposal of the new project
“Free-electron lasers based on LINAC-800”. After
due discussion, the PAC has the following comments:
The PAC is aware of the strategic need to develop
JINR expertise in FEL technology. The PAC also welcomes
proposals to strengthen the JINR programmes in condensed
matter science, and in this context is keen to keep a
watching brief on the FEL project.
However the PAC does not believe that, at this
stage, the LINAC-800 FEL proposal is sufficiently mature
to fall within the remit of the PAC for Condensed Matter
Physics, as it is principally a project in accelerator
technology and accelerator development.
Before the PAC can either consider or endorse
this proposal it must be made clear:
•what the potential for condensed matter research will
be, and on what time scale this potential will be
realized;
•what specific strategic areas of condensed matter
science will be addressed;
•how the facility and instruments made available will
compare with existing and planned facilities in Russia
and abroad.
Unless the proposed condensed matter facilities
can be shown to be internationally competitive, no funds
should be diverted from the existing condensed matter
strategic road map to support FEL development.
To do so would seriously prejudice existing projects
which
are
considered
to
internationally competitive.
be
both
strategic
and
The FEL accelerator issue highlights a problem
with JINR procedure for evaluating new projects which
do not readily fall within the remit of specific PACs
and yet would divert funds from existing strategic
proposals endorsed by these PACs.
Scientific reports
The PAC noted with interest the report
“EXAFS spectroscopy study of the cobaltites La1-x
Srx CoO3 (x = 0.0 ÷ 0.5)” presented by V. Efimov.
The PAC noted with interest the report
“Application of laser confocal microscopy in physics
of condensed matter” presented by Yu. Kovalev.
The PAC noted with interest the report
“Research of a visual pigment of rhodopsin:
spectroscopy and molecular modeling” presented by
T. Feldmann.
JINR Educational Programme
The PAC took note of the information about the
III International Summer School on Nuclear Physics
Methods in Biology and Medicine (Dubna, 30 June–11
July 2005) presented by S. Ivanova,
The PAC notes the success of this school and
recommends its continuation in the future on a regular
basis.
The
PAC
highly
appreciates
the
successful
implementation of the JINR Educational Programme and
its important role in promoting contacts with Member
States and for attracting young people to JINR. This
activity should be continued with high priority.
The PAC thanks S. Ivanova, and T. Strizh and
the JINR University Center team for their enthusiasm,
competency and hard work for attracting young people
to JINR and to – PHYSICS!
Next meeting of the PAC
The next meeting of the PAC for Nuclear Physics will
be held on 3–4 April 2006.
Its tentative agenda will include:
– Information about the national strategic research
programme in condensed matter science being developed in
Russia
– FLNP’s programme in the field of nanoscience
– Medical activities at JINR
– Scientific reports
– Poster presentations of highlight research activities in
condensed matter physics by JINR young scientists
Thank you for your attention