Ural Federal University: Monograph on Modern Methods of Spectroscopy of Functional Materials
Scientists at Ural Federal University have co-authored an international monograph, Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization, dedicated to the latest advances in spectroscopic research and description of the latest materials. The monograph, which was published by the world’s leading publisher Wiley, was written by an international team of authors from Germany, Italy, France, England, USA, and Russia. The university’s specialists wrote the chapter “Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy – Materials Science Technique” about one of the unique technologies of materials analysis – ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy.
“Along with the development of technical capabilities, the requirements for graduates are also growing, and the set of competencies that we must and can form in them is changing. Therefore, it is important to be at the cutting edge of science, to understand how the most modern spectroscopic complexes for material analysis work, as well as to participate in the development of new approaches in physical materials science. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy ( UPS) is a powerful tool for analyzing the surface of solids and modern low-dimensional materials. It allows us to look into the structure of the valence band of any material and to investigate in great detail the hybridized valence bonds that make each material unique (superconductor, narrow-zone semiconductor, dielectric, etc.),” says Arseny Kiryakov, associate professor at the Department of Physical Techniques and Devices for Quality Control and researcher at the Physics of Functional Materials of Carbon Micro- and Optoelectronics Research Laboratory at UrFU.
Each chapter of the 500-page book is an independent section devoted to individual spectroscopic methods, which, among other things, are actively used at UrFU. These are photoemission and photoelectronic, optical, resonance, and X-ray methods for obtaining information about a material. In addition to basic information, the specialists described the theoretical foundations of the experimental methods, adapting them specifically for young scientists and students.
“Today, the technical and information capabilities required for objective control and analysis of the physical properties of materials must be provided at a qualitatively new level. For this purpose now use not only laboratory devices and installations, but also such powerful tools of spectroscopic research as synchrotron sources of electromagnetic radiation of X-ray and ultraviolet ranges. It is gratifying to note that the strategy of our university implies purchasing and re-equipping research laboratories with the latest scientific equipment, but at the same time, professional training of personnel capable of using the capabilities of new research instruments at all 100% is required,” explains Dmitry Zatsepin, co-author of the book, senior researcher at the Institute of Metal Physics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Physics of Functional Materials of Carbon Micro- and Optoelectronics Research Laboratory at UrFU.
Dmitry Zatsepin is sure that the published monograph, along with its scientific significance, has a methodological and pedagogical orientation. Such combination of modern instrumentation and intellectual potential of the staff provides unique opportunities for growth of any creative scientific team. This is especially important for young scientists who want to see a perspective for the development of their research.
“The publication of the monograph was caused by the real needs of specialists working in the field of creation and research of the newest materials of modern technology. Today, the requirements for materials and functional structures used in micro- and nanoelectronics, quantum optics, photonics, computer engineering, and other industries have significantly increased. It was a great honor for us to be part of such an authoritative international team of authors. I hope that our collective work will be useful not only to scientists and specialists working in the field of creating new materials, but also to university professors and students in the relevant fields,” says Anatoly Zatsepin, co-author of the book, professor at the Institute of Physics and Technology and head of the Physics of Functional Materials of Carbon Micro- and Optoelectronics Research Laboratory.
UrFU was equipped with laboratories and modern research complexes to study and obtain reliable scientific information about new materials and functional structures as part of the 5-100 Program aimed at increasing competitiveness. This allows scientists of the university to conduct fundamental and applied scientific research at the world level. These issues are especially relevant in the light of the Priority-2030 Program and the Decade of Science and Technology announced by the President of the Russian Federation.