Recommendations of the Programme Advisory Committee for Condensed Matter Physics 23rd meeting, November 2005 Wojciech Nawrocik JINR Scientific Council, January 2006

The PAC highly appreciate d 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 infrastructur e.

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 directorate s 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, low- dimensional 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 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 be both strategic and internationally competitive.

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 La 1-x Sr x CoO 3 (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 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