Research

The Atomic Spectroscopy Laboratory was created as part of the Department of Optics and Spectroscopy when the Institute of Solid State Physics was formed in 1972. The main topic was the investigation of processes in low temperature plasma of hollow cathode discharge. In 1985 the Laboratory of Atomic Spectroscopy became a separate unit of the Institute. In 1987 out of the Laboratory of Atomic Spectroscopy, a new Laboratory of Metal Vapor Lasers was established.

Nowadays, the Laboratory of Atomic Spectroscopy and the Metal Vapor Lasers Laboratory form the Department of Laser physics, Atomic, Molecular and Plasma Physics. Current topics of investigation are:

• Atomic constants in particular ratiative lifetimes of excited atomic and ionic states; transition probabilities and other properties of atomic spectra of astrophysical interest
• Quantum optics – experiments and theory. In collaboration with the Faculty of Physics at Sofia University, an experimental set up of cooled Rb atoms has been created
• Processes in low temperature plasma of different sources, including laser assisted plasma
• Analytical application of laser induced plasma (LIBS) for archeological objects

The Laboratory of Atomic spectroscopy has well established collaboration with leading Universities in EU, both formal and informal. An education of master and PhD students is one of the main activities of the Laboratory of Atomic Spectroscopy.

Active projects:

Composite and Adiabatic Methods for Quantum and Optical Technologies (external link)