As a successor of the Physics Division (Fizički zavod) with long tradition and history, Experimental Physics Division (EPD) was established on April 26, 2013, by the decision of the Council of the Department of Physics. This form of operating was established as the most suitable for optimum utilization of existing (and acquisition of the new) equipment, as well as to facilitate the exchange of experience of researchers from different branches of physics, and as an incentive for interdisciplinary research. EPD has particular interest in experimental solid state physics, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, and physics of medium and high energy, astrophysics, biophysics and methodology of educational physics.

The Experimental Physics Division is home to highly-advanced research. Its members publish the best results of their research in leading academic journals such as Nature, Science, Physical Review Letters, Astrophysical Journal, Physical Review A, B, C, D, E and so on. The echo of these researches is reflected in the more than 2,500 citations each year, a series of guest lectures, memberships in editorials of prestigious journals etc. Members of the Division are successful supervisors and leaders of international and national competitive projects. The notional amount of currently active projects led by DEP members exceeds HRK 18 million (September 2014).
The high level of scientific work quality is the foundation for successful knowledge transfer to students at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. The tradition of teaching physics began in the 19th century, and it is continuously improving ever since, while the superior quality of our graduate students is recognized at all world leading universities.

 

Experimental research in condensed matter physics

Experimental research in condensed matter physics includes the preparation and investigation of structural, macroscopic and microscopic properties of a broad spectrum of modern materials. These include organic and inorganic materials, low dimensional conductors, oxide heterostructures, topological insulators, as well as materials that exhibit collective phenomena such as superconductivity and quantum magnetism, magnetic nano particles, single molecule magnets, complexes of magnetic ions, molecule-based magnets, multiferoics, alloys, ionic conductors, ferromagnetic graphite, soft matter, metal cluster complexes and other materials of importance for basic or applied physics. Such a wide field of study requires various techniques to determine the microscopic structure (X-ray scattering, electronic microscopy), local features (nuclear magnetic and quadrupole resonance) and macroscopic properties (magnetic and electrical characteristics, magnetotransport, thermoelectric and thermodynamic properties, high-frequency transport) in a wide span of external conditions (including extreme conditions such as very high and low temperatures and intense magnetic fields). Macroscopic properties are deduced from measurements of static magnetisation, AC susceptibility, resistance and magneto-resistance , Hall and Nernst effects, thermopower, microwave conductivity, nonlinear radio-frequent conductivity and magnetic properties in the electrical field.

 

Experimental research in atomic and molecular physics

Experimental research in atomic and molecular physics are focused on the study of atomic and molecular processes in the high-pressure discharge in metal vapors in the high-frequency discharges in noble gases , using conventional and laser spectroscopic methods .

 

Experimental nuclear physics

Experimental nuclear physics research includes investigations of nuclear structure and properties of nuclei and hadrons, nuclear reactions of astrophysical and technological importance, and nuclear and particle processes of interest to the fundamental questions of quantum mechanics and the standard model. Studies are carried out in laboratories in Croatia as well as in specialized European and world accelerator centers. An important component are applications of nuclear methods in the study of materials, environment and medicine. Studies in experimental physics of elementary particles at high energies are focused on the research of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) at RHIC and LHC colliders and spin structure of nucleons at RHIC. Research in the field of Astrophysics is focused on the following topics : ( a) the structure, development and interaction of stars , ( b ) the origin and development of galaxies , and ( c ) the properties of interstellar matter .

 

Physics education research

Physics education research includes investigations of high school and university students' understanding of fundamental physics concepts, investigations in the field of educational neuroscience and development and testing of the new teaching strategies and materials.

 

Neurobiophysics research

Neurobiophysical research uses neurodynamic methods for functional brain imaging, magnetoecephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG), to explore sensory and cognitive processes, multi-sensory integration, and cortical plasticity in basic and translational studies. MEG/EEG measurements and numerical simulations were used to obtain insight into cortical dynamics of sensory and cognitive processes of the human brain such as: identification of the face processing cortical networks and how they can be modified by attention, context, and identity; divergence of the face and object processing pathways; emotional face perception; visual and auditory sensory memory in healthy subjects and patients; potential neurophysiological markers of neurodegeneration processes related to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD); as well as exploring neurophysiological measures of proportional reasoning.

 

Head of the Experimental Physics Division

Professor Mario Basletić

Experimental Physics Division
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Bijenička 32, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

 

MEMBERS

 

LABORATORIES AND GROUPS