Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science
at Tbilisi State University:
Past, Present and Future Perspectives
Alexander Shengelaya
Tbilisi State University, Georgia
5th Georgian-German Workshop in Basic Science
6 August 2012
What is Condensed Matter Physics ?
Condensed matter physics is a branch of physics that deals with the
physical properties of condensed phases of matter. The most familiar
condensed phases are solids and liquids, while more exotic condensed
phases include the superconducting phase, the ferromagnetic and
antiferromagnetic phases.
The diversity of systems and phenomena available for study makes
condensed matter physics the most active field of contemporary
physics: one third of all American physicists identify themselves as
condensed matter physicists, and The Division of Condensed Matter
Physics is the largest division of the American Physical Society.
The field overlaps with chemistry, materials science, and
nanotechnology, and relates closely to atomic physics and biophysics.
Theoretical condensed matter physics shares important concepts and
techniques with theoretical particle and nuclear physics.
Why it is important ?
• Understanding the electrical and magnetic properties of
solids and liquids is right at the heart of modern society
and technology.
• For example: The entire computer and electronics
industry relies on tuning of a special class of material, the
semiconductor.
• New technology for the future will inevitably involve
developing and understanding new classes of materials.
Discovery of Transistor
First chip in 1961
1000 Transistors
Pentium 4 processor
in 2002
100 000 000 Transistors
Pauli about semiconductors
In 1931 Wolfgang Pauli famously wrote to
the Physicist, Rudolf Peierls “Ueber
Halbleiter sollte man nicht arbeiten, das ist
eine Schweinerei, wer weiss, ob es
überhaupt Halbleiter gibt.”
“One shouldn’t work on semiconductors,
that is a filthy mess; who knows if they
really exist!”
Prof. Elevter Andronikashvili
Elevter Andronikashvili started the experimental condensed matter
physics research at Tbilisi State University in 1948.
In 1950 he founded Institute of Physics of Georgian Academy of
Science. In 2011 AIP merged Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
E. Andronikashvili is internationally recognized by the physics
community after his outstanding experimental investigations of the
superfluidity of liquid helium.
Prof. Givi Khutsishvili
Pioneering work on theory of diffusion and relaxation
of nuclear spins in crystals.
He introduced a new phenomenon called “spin
diffusion” in 1954, which is widely used now in
magnetic resonance.
This work is still significant and is quoted in
monographs on the theory of magnetic resonance in its
original form.
Prof. Khutsishvili made an invaluable
contribution to the education of scientists
in Georgia. Several generations of
Georgian physicists have attended his
lectures and seminars at which they
learned the theoretical foundations of
modern physics.
Niels Bohr with wife and son visiting TSU In 1961.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) System
for medical applications.
Superconductivity discovered by H. Kammerling-Onnes in 1911:
a wide range of applications from the energy to the electronics sector.
MRI includes: Superconductivity, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Low temperature
Physics, Mathematics...
Prof. Tengiz Sanadze
Pioneering experiments in
magnetic resonance by Prof.
T. Sanadze in 1960.
Building of the first pulsed
Electron Paramagnetic
Resonanse (EPR)
spectrometer.
Discovery of the new
phenomena of discrete
saturation
This technique is now used in commercial EPR
spectrometers produced by German company
BRUKER.
EPR spectrometer donated by Prof. K. A. Müller
(IBM and University of Zürich)
was installed at TSU in 2006
Cryogen Free / Liquid Helium
Measurement System
was installed in our laboratory October 2009
Temperature range 1.6 – 300 K
Superconducting magnet up to 5 Tesla
Funded by Ministry of Education and Science and
Tbilisi State University
Cryogenic Center was created at TSU in 2010
Supported by Georgian National Science Foundation
Liquid Nitrogen Plant
Liquid Helium Plant
Experiments at Large Scale Facilities
Mainly at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) Switzerland:
Muon-spin rotation (µSR)
Nautron Scattering (SINQ)
Sinchrotron at Swiss Light Source (SLS)
Institute of Applied Semiconductor Technologies at TSU
Director: Dr. Zaur Chakhnakia
Prof. A. Bibilashvili
Dr. N. Khuchua
Dr. Z. Jibuti
Dr. N. Dolidze
Main Research directions:
1. New type of concentrators for solar cells.
2. GaAs epitaxial thin film structures for THz radiation sources.
3. Development and production of microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems.
4. Study of photostimulated diffusion processes in semiconductors.
Institute of Applied Semiconductor Technologies at TSU
CAD-RoomCAD-Room
with local
(supported
NATO
SfP Project)
withnetwork
local network
(supported by by
NATO
SfP Project)
Contact
litography
Contact litography
Metal evaporation
Metal evaporation
Control
of technological
parameters
Control
of technological parameters
Dry etching
Dry etching
Wage bonding
Microwave characterization lab
Condensed Matter Theory at TSU
Prof. Archil Ugulava
1. Nonlinear phenomena and Quantum chaos.
2. Stochastic processes.
3. Magnetic clusters.
Assistant Prof. Tamar Chelidze
1. Investigation of luminescence spectra of CdSe Nanowires (in collaboration with
University Norte Dame, USA).
2. Investigation of many body effects in semiconductor quantum structures.
Excitonic effects is studied in quantum structures of different type.
3. Investigation of Variable range hopping conduction in magnetically disordered
FeTiO3 epitaxial thin films (in collaboration with Versailles University, France).
Institute of Condensed Matter Physics and Advanced
Materials
Director of Institute: Prof. A. Shengelaya
Was created at TSU in 2009 to consolidate research and teaching
activities in this field. Includes condensed matter scientists working in
Georgia as well as abroad.
Main topics of research:
• Macroscopic and microscopic properties of novel superconducting
and magnetic materials.
• Magnetic nanoparticles and their applications.
• New methods of synthesis of advanced materials.
Broad international collaborations:
University of Zürich, Switzerland
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
Jülich Research Center, Germany
University of Versailles, France
What has been achieved ?
New Bachelor and Masters programs
Selective module in Physics Bachelor program “Applied Physics”, which
includes: Materials science, Physics on nanoscale, Micro- and nanoelectronics.
Masters program in “Applied Physics”, which includes selective module in
Materials science, Micro- and nanoelectronics.
Masters program in “Fundamental physics”, which includes selective module in
Condensed Matter Physics.
Graduate Students:
Alexander Maisuradze (PostDoc at the University of Zürich/PSI)
Zurab Guguchia (PhD at the University of Zürich)
Zurab Shermadini (PhD at PSI)
Mamuka Chikovani (PhD at PSI)
Giorgi Gambashidze (Candidate for PhD at MPI Stuttgart)
Giorgi Khazaradze (Candidate for PhD in collaboration with Jülich)
What has been achieved ?
Upgraded experimental infrastructure (as shown in previous slides).
At present 4 projects are running at the
Institute of Condensed Matter Physics:
1 Project funded by Shota Rustaveli National Science
Foundation.
2 Projects funded by Swiss National Science Foundation.
1 Project funded by Science and Technology Center in
Ukraine.
Research Highlights
(selected to be an Editor’s suggestion)
Research Highlights
(selected to be an Editor’s suggestion)
Research Highlights
(selected to be an Editor’s suggestion)
ivane javaxiSvilis saxelobis Tbilisis saxelmwifo universiteti
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
International conference celebrating the 80’th birthday of
K. A. Müller and the 20’th anniversary of the Nobel prize for the
discovery of high temperature superconductors by
J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Müller
HTSC – 2007
High-Temperature Superconductivity in Cuprates
Original Concept and New Developments
October 7-11, Tbilisi, Georgia
26
HHigh Temperature Superconductivity
••• 28
Future perspectives
Prof. Alex Müller visiting our lab in November 2011
Start of the New Project !