At the Dubna State University

A step towards future discoveries

Students of the Engineering Physics Institute at the Dubna University take a practical course "Automation of experiments in the field of neutron physics." This course was organized within the framework of the research programme of the grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation "New technologies for developing components and systems of experimental stations for sources of synchrotron radiation and neutrons."

Students started classes in October. First, they listened to a course of lectures, and afterwards, began to apply the acquired knowledge in practice at FLNP. The course teachers were scientists and engineers involved in the daily maintenance of facilities and the development of new devices and software. Under their supervision, the students studied various aspects of working with neutron facilities, including carrying out experiments, simulation, using specialized software and automated control systems, as well learnt about the operation of the IBR-2 reactor. Students are looking forward the preparation and defense of practice reports.

The main goal of the course was to attract young specialists to this field of science. "We want to engender some spark of curiosity in students and attract them to work with us, develop all this technology and to get engaged in this science," Head of the FLNP Department, associate professor of the Department of Nuclear Physics of the Dubna State University Viktor Bodnarchuk notes.

Viktor Ivanovich also explained why specialists of this profile are especially in demand today: "In the Laboratory, we carry out research on the internal structure of condensed matter using neutron scattering. This branch of science is complex, but very important for the development of new materials used in technology and industry. However, the resource of the IBR-2 reactor, on which research is carried out, is exhausted. Its service life is another 15 years. And today, we work on developing new neutron sources in Dubna. But equipment of this class is not constructed in a year, so the issue of attracting personnel is very acute for us."

Thus, students having successfully completed the programme have the opportunity to contribute to the future development of neutron physics and become part of unique research projects.

Based on the information from www.uni-dubna.ru