II.3.10. Establishment of the Centre – International Research Network in AMO area – info

IDUB Programme Objective(s)

• II.3 Improving the capacity to cooperate by increasing research capability

Name of POB/activity group

• II. Beyond Micro and Macro Worlds

Description

Objective

Establishment of the Centre for Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics (referred to herein as the Centre), which will coordinate, integrate, intensify and – above all – internationalise AMO physics research at the University.

Justification

In the field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics (AMO), there are dynamic research groups that have made notable contributions to world science and cooperate with the leading centres in the world, with achievements in experimental developments and theoretical work. These projects include research on quantum optics, quantum metrology, precision atomic physics, ultracold atoms and molecules, optical spectroscopy, the physics of strong laser fields, and related areas. Such research allows for a better understanding of the fundamental properties of matter and light, and serves as a gateway to creating new quantum technologies, including the development of completely new forms of communication, detection, imaging, metrology, and information processing.

Theoretical and experimental research groups working on AMO are located at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, the Institute of Experimental Physics, the Centre of Quantum Optical Technologies, and the Faculty of Chemistry. The newly-created Centre will be virtual, i.e., the research groups involved will carry out their work in the various units of the University, and the Centre will serve to integrate and make use of complementary experiences and the potential of the staff, while also increasing the mobility of students and PhD students – thereby leading to internationalisation and the increased visibility and significance of conducted research. The development of a network of international links will be based on existing contacts, as well as new initiatives.

The objectives will be achieved through the implementation of the Centre, and also those carried out in conjunction with other initiatives under other IDUB activities.

Community seminars and a series of advanced lectures on AMO, given by distinguished foreign scholars, will be particularly valuable to students and doctoral candidates.

The Centre will cooperate extensively with the Institute for Advanced Studies (ISZ) (see Action I.3.8), especially in the implementation of Distinguished Visiting Fellowships. This initiative will enable medium-term and long-term visits by eminent foreign researchers for a period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months, in order to initiate or intensify cooperation with the University staff. Recipients of the Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships – designated for those working in the AMO field – may also become members of the Centre.

The Centre will organise at least one international scientific workshop and one international conference (open to the University community) every year.

The establishment of the Centre will allow for joint applications for research funding in external competitions, as well as further internationalisation. Integration of the AMO research areas in the Centre should facilitate the process of receiving funding e.g., under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) programmes.

The Centre will also support short visits by young researchers to prepare applications for individual post-doctoral fellowships from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and programmes by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.

After obtaining additional funding, the Centre may evolve along the lines of similar internationally recognized units, such as the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California Santa Barbara, the Institute for Theoretical Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics at Harvard University, or the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Activities

1. Creating and maintaining a website with information about the Centre and its activities, including the research groups involved, the research conducted, current seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences, and foreign guests.
2. Organising a weekly AMO seminar based on the existing Optical Seminar, which is well established in Warsaw. For the most eminent guests, combining the AMO Seminar and Faculty Conservatory. This includes financing the travel costs for prominent speakers from abroad.
3. Organising and financing a series of specialised lectures for students and doctoral candidates, delivered by outstanding foreign scholars (co-financing from Action I.1.1/IV.1.1).
4. Organising and funding the Distinguished Visiting Fellowships programme (with the Institute for Advanced Studies (ISZ) – Actions I.3.8 and II.2.1), for outstanding foreign researchers, for a period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months, in order to start or intensify cooperation with University staff.
5. Organising and funding international thematic scientific workshops (with 50-100 participants), which will be open to the University community.
6. Co-organising recognised international scientific conferences (co-financing from Action II.4.1), where at least one lecture will be open to the University community.
7. Supporting the mobility of students and doctoral candidates, by ensuring international contacts in the field of AMOs which are of key importance in the organisation of research-related arrivals and departures of UW students and doctoral candidates to leading research centres (funding from Action IV.2.3).
8. Funding short (1-3 month) visits by young researchers and doctoral candidates to prepare applications for individual doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships at the University (co-financing from Actions I.1.3 and I.1.4/IV.2.1).
9. Co-financing of “bridge” scholarships for doctoral candidates, to enable the use of funds from external grants.
10. Gathering experience and coordinating joint applications for large national and international AMO (ITN, COFUND, MSCA, NAWA, MNiSW) research grants (co-financing from Action I.1.3).

Coordinating unit

• Faculty of Physics

Entities involved in implementation

• Faculty of Physics
• Centre for New Technologies / Centre for Quantum Optical Technologies
• Faculty of Chemistry