COMPLEX MATTER - F7

• Dynamics of complex systems
• Theory of complex systems
• Nanomaterials: MOSIx, nanowires, fullerene magnetism...
• Applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnology
• Soft matter research
• Biophysics and Biomedical optics
• Nonlinear optics

Departmental web pages
Publications
Projects
People

Head of Department
Prof. Dragan Mihailović, Ph. D., dragan.mihailovic@ijs.si

Secretariat
Nataša Kutnjak, natasa.kutnjak@ijs.si
Telephone: +386 1 477 33 88

Projects and finance:
Barbara Paternoster, barbara.paternoster@ijs.si
Telephone +386 1 477 32 20

Dynamics of complex systems
We investigate relaxation processes in strongly correlated electron systems. The dynamics of photoexcited electrons is studied in several systems, including superconductors, CDW systems, manganites, heavy fermions, MgB2 and systems with electonically driven transitions.

Theory of complex systems
The discoveries of novel functional dynamics in new complex materials requires fundamentally new theoretical approaches for reaching an understanding of the underlying physics. The dynamics of charged complex systems with correlated electrons, particularly high-Tc superconductors and related functional materials is investigated using a variety of phenomelogical and numerical methods.

Nanomaterials: MOSIx, nanowires, fullerene magnetism ...
The synthesis of novel nanomaterials is mainly focussed on transition metal cluster nanomaterials such as MoSI nanowires. The research includes synthesis, basic characterisation, measurement of physical properties and functionalisation on the nanoscale.

Applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnology
MOSI nanowires promise a variety of possible applications, ranging from monomolecular substrates for biomolecular sensors to fillers in advanced composites. Other applications include field emission devices and tribological composites.

Soft matter research
Soft matter research includes several different systems, from confined liquid crystals (in planar, cylindrical, spherical geometries or even HPDLCs) and observations of surface effects, to self-assembly of guanosine and investigations of polymeric aligning layers using optical methods.

Biophysics and Biomedical optics
Biophysics research at our department includes experimental studies of molecular motors and protein manipulation with optical tweezers and investigation of electron dynamics in DNA using optical spectroscopy. Biomedical optics and engineering involves studies of laser-tissue interaction and development of novel laser-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Nonlinear optics
In Nonlinear optics laboratory we study new materials and their interaction with laser light. We are especially interested in new materials which promise new applications in the following highly competitive fields: optical data storage, optical processing and telecommunications, especially in the form of integrated optics. We are also interested in compact laser sources in the eye-safe wavelength region of 1550 nm. We cooperated with a laser company Fotona from Ljubljana and with the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, studying the optical properties of domain engineered LiTaO3 crystals with Mg doping and various degrees of stoichiometry. These crystals are especially suited for optical parametric conversion from the Nd:YAG wavelength to the eye-safe region.