Department of Theoretical Physics

The professional education in theoretical physics traces its origin back to the foundation of Kazan University in 1804, when the Department of Theoretical and Empirical Physics was organized. Theoretical Physics department took its present form in 1960 and was directed by the corresponding member of USSR Academy of Sciences, Prof. Semion Altshuler, a disciple of the Nobel Prize laureate I.E. Tamm. Since 1973 the Theoretical Physics department was directed by Prof. Boris Kochelaev (till 2000) and Prof. Boris Malkin (till 2005). The present director is Prof. Yurii Proshin.

Our staff teaches general disciplines in theoretical physics: Theoretical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Theory, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics. These courses form an integral part of Bachelor's program in Physics and Astronomy (as well as Radiophysics, Nanotechnology, Technical physics).

The department graduates theorists qualified in the field of Condensed Matter Theory, both with Bachelor Degree (BD) and Master Degree (MD). More information and a list of taught disciplines is available here and here. Postgraduate study in Theoretical Physics is available for promising young scientists with MD in physics. A limited number of post-doctoral positions is available as well. For application, please contact Prof. Yurii Proshin.

Scientific research led by the staff mainly falls into Condensed Matter Theory and is closely related to the phenomenon of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), discovered in Kazan University by E.K. Zavoisky in 1944. Theoretical aspects of EPR in various systems containing paramagnetic centers and the related phenomena have been thoroughly studied by the staff members during several past decades. Among the traditional research fields are: magnetic and optical properties of crystals containing impurity ions; simulations of magnetic resonance spectra in solids; crystal field; spin relaxation in condensed matter, etc. Other directions are also developed: magnetic, kinetic and transport properties of superconductors (both conventional and unconventional ones), magnets, metals and dielectrics, thin films and multilayers; statistical theory of fractal systems; quantum decoherence in solids; computer simulations of complex systems in condensed matter; etc.

Detailed information about the research groups and their activities can be found on this page.

The Leading Research School on magnetic resonance, supervised by Prof. B. Kochelaev, is a multiple winner of competitions on grants of the President of Russian Federation.