Chair of Solid State Physics

The Solid State Physics Chair of Yerevan State University was founded in 1956 based on the Chair of General Physics of the Faculty of Physico-Mathematics.

From the day of its creation to 1970 it was called the Chair of Structure of Matter, in 1970 it was renamed the Chair of Solid State Physics. Professor Norayr Margar Kocharyan is the founder and the first head of the Chair. Later, Professors P. H. Bezirganyan (1960-1987), A. H. Durgaryan (1987-1989), K. G. Truni (1989-1993), J. M. Ghazaryan (1993-2000), A. A. Kirakosyan (2000-2018) led the Chair. Since 2018, the Head of the Chair has been Professor A.L. Vardanyan.

With the direct support of the Solid State Physics Chair, X-ray research laboratories were organized at the State Engineering University of Armenia and Shirak M. Nalbandyan State University.

By the mid-1980s, the Solid State Physics Chair had become a powerful academic and production center, employing about 130 leading specialists. During those years, the Chair was the scientific center coordinating X-ray research in the former USSR.

During the last two decades, the Chair has been conducting extensive research in the field of nanophysics, which has become the most fundamental scientific field of nanotechnology and forms the scientific basis of modern quantum and information technologies, as well as high-tech productions.

During its existence, the Chair of Solid State Physics has trained about 120 Ph.Ds. and 25 Drs. The personnel prepared by the Chair are still working successfully in the leading scientific institutions of many foreign countries.

Over 1600 scientific articles, 20 monographs, and educational manuals were published during the years of the Chair's activity, as well as 50 copyrights were obtained. One work was awarded the State Prize of the Armenian SSR, another one was awarded the Prize of the Comerit’ Union of Armenia, and two others were awarded the Prize of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

The Chair of Solid State Physics has curricula of great scientific importance and applied importance, which are continuously improved and aimed at continuing the research activities successfully.