7 research centres lead world-class physics research in Korea
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Every two months, articles from the AAPPS Bulletin will be republished in e-EPS.
Established in November 2011, the Institute for Basic Science [IBS] is moving forward to promote and secure creative knowledge for future generations through world-class research in fundamental sciences. Under the leadership of Professor Se-Jung Oh, the president of IBS, the institute is now composed of 20 research centres, the Rare Isotope Science Project which is constructing a heavy-ion accelerator called “RAON”, the National Institute for Mathematical Sciences, and a secretariat. In total, there are more than 900 researchers, students, and supporting staff, with an annual budget of 250 million USD. A brief introduction of the IBS research centres which are dedicated to research in physics follows:
Centre for Underground Physics [CUP]
CUP performs experiments to search directly for weakly interacting massive particles. Also CUP explores the neutrino less double beta decays of Mo-100 isotopes. CUP will achieve its research goals by developing low-temperature sensors with excellent energy resolution and the power to distinguish the signals from the abundant background events. CUP will construct a new underground laboratory deeper than 1,000 meters.
Centre for Theoretical Physics of the Universe [CTPU]
The goal of CTPU is to discover new knowledge in the territories of theoretical particle physics and cosmology, which may be relevant to answering the questions about the fundamental laws of nature and the origin of the universe. The research themes of CTPU include new physics beyond the standard model of particle physics, astroparticle physics associated with the dark side of the universe, early universe cosmology, and the formal or phenomenological aspects of string theories and quantum field theories.
Centre for Axion and Precision Physics Research [CAPP]
CAPP will play a significant role in the axion research community worldwide by establishing a state of the art axion dark matter research program. The research centre will contribute significantly to the proton EDM experiment, as well as to muon g-2 experimental efforts, with a unifying theme of “Precision Physics in Storage Rings.” Theoretical work on axions, strong CP-problem, cosmology, and other current subjects may also complement the experimental effort.
Centre for Artificial Low Dimensional Electronic Systems [CALDES]
The recent development of information technology, which has resulted in devices of nanoscale, has also revealed the fundamental limitations of downsizing. CALDES aims to create atomically controlled materials such as wires, layers, ultra-thin films and devise methods to gain ultimate atomic-scale control over these materials. CALDES plans to discover new types of quantum matter and address the physics issues posed by quantum phase fluctuations, competitions, and orders of low-dimensional electrons.
Centre for Correlated Electron Systems [CCES]
The primary goal of CCES is to conduct systematic and organized research into oxide based materials of both bulk and thin film forms whose characteristics are either rare or absent in nature. To achieve this goal, CCES is performing systematic fundamental studies on physical phenomena of these strongly correlated materials.
Centre for Integrated Nanostructure Physics [CINAP]
The goals of CINAP are to perform outstanding research in the fields of fundamental and applied physics, with a particular focus given to low-dimensional structures. The research centre aims to establish an interdisciplinary research centre on nanostructures, incorporating condensed matter physics and material science. The CINAP will establish the research fields of synthesis of hybrid nanostructures and their new functional properties, structural analysis, photo-thermoelectric, correlation nanoscopy, and computational modelling.
Centre for Relativistic Laser Science [CoReLS]
CoReLS is examining the fundamental physical processes in atoms, molecules, and plasmas, exploring subatomic entities occurring in an ultra-fast timescale, and developing high-energy, ultra-short particle beams and radiation sources. Sophisticated methods will be developed to manipulate relativistic laser-matter interactions accurately.
The IBS is currently accepting applications for directorship positions in the designated research areas, such as theoretical fundamental physics, and condensed-matter and complex systems theory. More information on the IBS research centres and designated research areas can be found on the IBS website.
