Chair of Optics

The Chair of Optics was founded in 1964. Until 1967 it was headed by Associate Professor Vilen Aslanyan, then Associate Professor Melist Movsisyan, and finally, by academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Ph.D., Professor Yuri Chilingaryan.

In 1972, the research laboratory of optoelectronics and photonics was founded in the Chair, which included the departments of non-stationary and non-linear phenomena, physical properties of liquid crystals, ultra-pure optical glasses, fiber optic communication, and sensors. Within the framework of the grant provided by NATO, the Laboratory of High-Speed Optics and Photonics was established and is still functioning, which is one of the few laboratories with its capabilities in the region.

The Chair faculty has taught the "Optics" section of general physics in the Faculties of Physics and Radiophysics, as well as "Introduction to Nonlinear Physics", "Automation and Programming of Physical Experiments" in the Faculties of Physics, Radiophysics, and Biology, "Mathematical Modeling, Numerical Methods and Solving Applied Problems" in the Faculty of Physics and the "Concepts of Modern Science" course in the Faculties of Sociology and Philology. At the Undergraduate level of the Faculty of Physics, the chair has provided all professional courses in the "Optics" and "Laser Physics" direction, as well as has conducted the majority of courses in the "Applied Physics" specialty.

Since 2023, the Chair faculty has been teaching the "Physics of Optical Phenomena" section of general physics at the Institute of Physics, as well as "Automation and Programming of Physical Experiments" at the Institute of Physics and the Faculty of Biology, "Mathematical modeling, numerical methods and solving applied problems" at the Institute of Physics and "Concepts of modern science" course in Sociology and Philology oriented faculties.

The Chair also conducts all Undergraduate professional courses in "Optics" and "Laser Physics".

In the Master's degree educational system, the Chair prepares specialists with the "Optics" specialization.

The Chair also conducts Post-graduate education in "Optics" and "Laser Physics" specialties.

Professional programs cover the following fields:

• wave (linear and nonlinear) and physical optics,

• quantum optics,

• statistical and applied optics,

• laser spectroscopy,

• integral and fiber optics,

• quantum and multivalued computers, etc.

The cycle of "Computer Methods in Physics" training programs and the computer classroom, where the laboratory works of the subject "Automation of Physical Experiments" are organized, are operating in the Chair.

Some of the teaching staff of the Chair are its alumni. Other graduates are currently working at the Engineering University, the Institute of Physical Research of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, the Institute of Optical Physical Measurements, the "Laser Techniques" scientific-production association, as well as in the leading scientific centers of Japan, the USA, Canada, France, Russia, and many other countries.

Today, the staff of the Chair conducts scientific research work mainly in three laboratories: "Optoelectronics and Photonics", "High-speed Optics and Photonics" and "Photonics and Artificial Intelligence" of YSU Physics Research Institute.

The main scientific directions developed at the Chair are:

• Propagation of laser radiation and stationary and non-stationary interaction in planar waveguides and periodic media,

• Prediction and investigation of laser-induced orientational and hydrodynamic phenomena in liquid crystals and their polymer compositions,

• Investigation of nonlinear optical phenomena and structured phase (including photoinduced) transitions in liquid crystal systems,

• Development of laser radiation control devices and investigation of basic characteristics

• Applications of nonlinear self-influence and interaction phenomena of laser radiation in photonics and telecommunications problems,

• Problems of high-speed optics, laser physics,

• Interaction of light in complex photonic systems.

The range of research listed above includes works of both fundamental and applied nature.

Recognized and leading specialists of the republic in the fields of optics, laser physics, and photonics work in the Chair, who regularly undergo training, and are involved in grant programs. The Chair's scientist-pedagogues are the authors of educational manuals, monographs, school manuals, and scientific articles, which are also published in periodicals with a high impact factor.