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Laboratory of Theoretical physics
Location:
Skunu street 4, Riga, Latvia
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy
Mailing address:
Institute of Atomic physics and Spectroscopy,
University of Latvia,
Raina blvd. 19,
LV-1586, Riga,
Latvia
Head of laboratory: Dr. habil. Phys. Erna Karule (Gailite)
Mailing address: Institute of Physics, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia
E-mail: karule@latnet.lv
Tel.: +371-67229747
Fax: +371-67901214
Members:
· Dr. habl. Phys. Imants Bersons, Tel.: +371-67229747; E-mail: bersons@latnet.lv ; http://www.lza.lv/scientists/bersonsi.htm
· Dr. Phys. Rita Veilande, Tel.: +371-67229747; E-mail: veilande@latnet.lv
Research field:
Atoms in strong electromagnetic field. Multiphoton ionization, free-free transitions, harmonic generation. Deformation of atomic spectra in external fields. Interactions of atoms with half-cycle pulses, nonlinear equations and solitons.
Research methods: Quantum mechanical and semiclassical.
History of the laboratory:
Laboratory of theoretical physics is a part of former Laboratory of theoretical physics, which was founded in 1958 at the Institute of Physics of Latvian Academy of Sciences by the Deputy Director Dr. V.Veldre (1926-1967). Starting from sixties of 20th century papers of members of laboratory have been published in J. Phys. B.: Atomic and Molecular Physics and its members became well known by the international community of atomic physicists as the "Riga's group" (the group of Riga physicists-theorists). The well known members of this group are Dr.Sc. Raimonds Peterkop (1930-1991) and Dr.Sc. Modris Gailitis (1935-1993). Their papers on Wanier law (threshold law) and on the close coupling methods in electron atom collisions were between the first in this field and are well known by international community. In 1967 V.Veldre, R.Damburg, R.Peterkop, M.Gailitis and E.Karule were awarded with the Latvian State prize for the cycle of papers: " Theory of slow electron collisions with atoms". It was the first State prize awarded to the physicists in Latvia.
After Dr. V.Veldre passed away there was a strong pressure to push our laboratory to do, which some of administration thought is more useful, say, to make some simple calculations for one of the solid state laboratories. We were interested in basic physical phenomena and its precise mathematical description. The arrival to Riga from StPetersburg Prof. G.F. Drukarev, who strongly defended our laboratory, saved its exsistence as a laboratory of applied mathematics. In return Laboratory of theoretical Physics never made calculations for any of experimental laboratories of Institute of Physics or University of Latvia but it very successfully collaborated with Dr. E.Andersons atomic theorists group at the Computational Center of University of Latvia. Thanks to the semiempirical wave functions for alkali atoms calculated by this group this group we were able to do our close coupling calculations
From 1968 to 1992 the Head of laboratory was Dr. R.Damburg (born
1930, since 1996 Professor emeritus).
Laboratory of theoretical
physics of the Institute of Physics has organized two international
conferences:
·
ICAP VI (VI international Conference on Atomic Physics, Riga 17-22
July 1978). Chair of the local organizing committe Dr. R.Damburg
· ECAMP IV (IV European Conference on Atomic Physics, Riga 6-10 April 1992). Chair of the local organizing committee: Dr. E.Karule
In organization of these conferences participated physicists from the Laboratory of Spectroscopy of University of Latvia.
In 1992 Latvia regained independence. Dr. E. Karule was elected by her colleagues to be the Head of laboratory in 1993. The reorganization of science started in Latvia. Most of the Institutes of the Latvian Academy of Sciences were formally integrated in University of Latvia. In January 1994. Laboratory of Theoretical Physics was moved to the University of Latvia and joined the Laboratory of Spectroscopy. So in 1994 the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy in the University of Latvia was founded.
Since 1993 science in Latvia is funded by the Latvian Science Council grants. There is no other state financing.
Recent publications of the laboratory members:
· E. Karule Closed form for two photon free-free transition matrix elements, 2000, Radiation Physics and Chemistry , 59, p.155-157.
·
I.
Bersons, A. Kulsh. Transition form factor of the hydrogen Rydberg atom. - Phys.
Rev., 1997, A 55, pp.1674 - 1682
· M. Gailitis, A. Gailitis, Photoabsorption of Atomic Hydrogen in an External Electric Field, J. Physics B: Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics, 29, No18, 1996, 4081-4091.
Research Projects:
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National proects |
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Project No. |
Project leader |
Title |
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1. |
LZP 05.1869 LU( Z-852-109) |
E.Gailite-Karule |
Kvantumehāniskās un kvaziklasiskās
metodes daudzfotonu procesu aprakstam |
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2. |
LZP 10-5/021 LU
Z-6197-ZF-N-109 |
I. Bersons |
Optical processess in low-temperature plasma
and living tissues, and interaction of laser-radiation with atoms (Optiskie procesi zemtemperatūras plazmā,
dzīvos audos un lāzerstarojuma-atomu mijiedarbība) |
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International projects |
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Project No. |
Project leader |
Title |
Terms |
1. |
L-2008/2511 |
E.Gailite-Karule |
Taivānas-Baltijas teorētiskie pētījumi atomu
spektroskopijā un par atomu izturēšanos stipros lāzera laukos
(Taiwan-Baltic theoretical studies of spectroscopy of atoms and their
behaviour in strong laser fields) |
01.08.2008. 31.07.2009. |
Last update: 16.02.2012.
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