International Sypmosium on Ferroelectricty at UrFU

14:53, August 27, 2012

International Sypmosium on Ferroelectricty at UrFU

Scientists from different countries visited the university and expressed their high opinion of the research level it has achieved in the sphere of ferroelectricity. Last week the Joint International Symposium on Ferroelectricity, Ferroic Domains, Micro- and Nanoscopic Structures ended. It was organized by the ferroelectric laboratory, UrFU Institute of Natural Sciences.

This large-scale event was rounded off at the final ceremony and the meeting of the Rector with the twelve participants, outstanding scientists from different countries.   During the meeting the scientists  remarked on the high level of research that is being conducted at the university and said that not many universities can boast such equipment. For instance, Alexander Stigov, a member of the Academy of Sciences, pointed out that no other institute of the Academy, let alone other Russian universities, possesses such technical facilities.

- We are certain that the equipment which we saw at the ferroelectric laboratory must be used effectively. This is the only way we can achieve significant results, - said Viktor Koksharov, rector of UrFU. - This also means that we need international cooperation. We are deeply grateful to Vladimir Shur, the head of the ferroelectric laboratory and the Director of the multiple-access centre “Modern Nanotechnologies”, for assembling here so many renowned scientists from all over the world.  

The Head of the Organizing Committee Vladimir Shur said that the Symposium had gathered about 260 scientists from 24 countries, including 88 foreign participants. More than 100 lectures were delivered. There were also over 160 poster presentations.   The most outstanding works presented by young scientists received special awards. Among them were the papers delivered by Petr Yudin (Switzerland), Fumitaki Tagava (Japan) and Andrei Akhmatkhanov (UrFU). The best poster presentations were made by Tumazio Ozaki (Japan), Martin Kempa (Chezh Republic) and Dmitry Chezganov (UrFU).       According to Prof Wolfgang Kliemann (Germany), it is especially remarkable that young scientists, undergraduate and post-graduate students are so keen on scientific research. They enthusiastically discuss the results they get and, inspite of the language barrier, successfully interact with distinguished foreign researchers.  

Among the topics the Symposium focused on was the application of nanotechnologies in the sphere of ferroelectricity. Special attention was paid to micro- and nanoscopic domain engineering, which can do miracles enabling us to create photonic gadgets and data storage devices with unique characteristics.

The participants also discussed the latest scientific achievements which were made with the help of high-resolution microscopy methods.This new knowledge has laid foundation for the development of cutting-edge technology. The Symposium also involved the demonstration of a unique Russian product made with the help of nanotechnologies – a laser set whose crystal with periodic ferroelectric domain structure, made with nanometer accuracy, transforms invisible infrared light into bright green.