Laboratory "Metamaterials", created in 2010 at the Department of Photonics and Optical Informational Technology is the result of the last years’ work of the research group of Pavel Belov in the new field - the physics of metamaterials. Belov is a winner of the Prezindent Prize of the Russian Federation 2009 in the field of Science and Innovation for Young Scientists.
Laboratory is developing complex non-linear metamaterials, which can fundamentally change many of the technologies in future. Naturally occurring non-linear properties of conventional materials are usually very weak. The lab is working to create materials with non-linearity enhanced a million times. Applications can occur in the research process, as it happened with invisibility. Initially no one thought that the coatings can make objects invisible, but it turned out that it is quite feasible.
According to leading experts, non-linear metamaterials is a cutting edge of research. Once considerable success will be achieved in this area, many developments for practical purposes will be based on this progress.
Metamaterials are used: in information and telecommunication technologies for miniaturization of the components of optical and electronic devices, in medical technology to improve the sensitivity of CT scanners and in creation of a new generation of equipment that permits three-dimensional scanning of the body without damaging tissue.
Scientific director of the laboratory is a leading scientist, academician of the Australian Academy of Sciences Yuri S. Kivshar. He worked in the Physical-Technical Institute of Low Temperature in Kharkov, scientific centers of America, France, Spain, Germany and in the Australian National University.
Currently, the laboratory employs about 30 people, including two doctors, nine candidates (seven young PhD), two doctoral candidates, three graduate students and eight students. Laboratory staff regularly win various awards and grants, such as scholarship SPIE, IEEE MTTS Graduate Fellowship, grant competition for graduate students of universities and academic institutions, grant competition for students and foundation "Dynasty."
