Research

Magnetoelectric multiferroic are materials where the ferroelectric and magnetic ordering can coexist and be mutually coupled. This phenomenon is called magnetoelectric coupling and can in principle be used to improve magnetoelectric memories or other electric-field-controlled spintronic or magnonic devices. Unfortunately, there are a relatively small number of single-phase multiferroics in nature and their magnetoelectric coupling is lower than needed for many applications.

Czech scientists in collaboration with their colleagues from Spain introduced a new type of polymers which have been unavailable by means of traditional methods applied so far. This polymer type could play an important part in the design of new components for nanoelectronics, such as new displays.

In a paper published in Science Advances, Libor Šmejkal with his colleagues from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague reports the discovery of a Hall effect in an antiferromagnet. It is another extraordinary work by an exceptional Czech talent who as a fresh PhD graduate already enjoys the reputation of an internationally leading figure in his field.

During the International Conference on High-Energy Physics (ICHEP 2020), the ATLAS collaboration presented the first observation of photon collisions producing pairs of W bosons, elementary particles that carry the weak force, one of the four fundamental forces. 

Latest observation by GRANDMA network allows scientists to set limits on specific astrophysical phenomena. Astronomers were looking for gravitational waves to see events invisible to optical and radio telescopes.

The results of the NextBase international project, with the participation of scientists from the FZU, have brought hope for the restoration of European competitiveness in the production of solar panels. The project has developed prototypes of solar cell with high efficiency and low-cost potential.

The patented solution of scientists from the Institute of Physics and Czech Technical University prolongs the lifetime of nuclear fuel rods under nuclear reactor accident and working conditions by coating the surface of fuel rods by a thin polycrystalline diamond layer.

A work published Science in March 2020 shows that the development of crystallographic calculations also plays an important role in top physical research.

Today is an important milestone in the laser history. On the 16^th of May 1960, the American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman designed and launched the first functional laser system in the world and this year we celebrate its 60th anniversary.