In sixties and seventies of the last century, various branches of radiophysics (quantum radiophysics, semiconductor physics, radio astronomy, etc.) were developing rapidly in Armenia. At the same time, the radio electronic industry was also developing. In order to provide the mentioned spheres of science and economy with young qualified personnel, Faculty of Radiophysics was established, and one of the key chairs of which is the Chair of Radiophysics and Electronics.

The Chair of Radiophysics and Electronics was established in 1938 at Yerevan University, under the name of the Department of Electrical and Oscillation Physics, on the basis of the Electro-Radio Laboratory, which has been operating since 1928. Its founder, Professor Harutyun Anjur (Chebotaryan), has been appointed head of the chair.

The chair was later renamed the Chair of Radiophysics and Electronics.

In different periods the chair was headed by Academicians of NAS RA R. Martirosyan, K. Kocharyan, Corresponding Member of NAS RA A. Hakhumyan, Professors P. Poghosyan, L. Movsisyan, Yu. Avetisyan.
Mission of the chair:
1. To train highly qualified scientific-technical and engineering specialists in the field of radiophysics who are competitive in the local and international labor market
2. To carry out scientific research aimed at solving current problems in the field of radiophysics

The chair within the framework of the three-level educational system (bachelor, master and PhD) carries out “Radiophysics” specialization in bachelor’s and master’s. Undergraduate students receive bachelor's degree in physics, and graduate students receive master's degree in physics.

The main fields of scientific research in the chair are:
1. Generation, conversion, radiation and reception of electromagnetic waves in microwave, terahertz and optical ranges. Propagation, absorption and localization of these waves in different medium and structures;
2. Investigation of the peculiarities of surface plasmon-polaritons in the visible and terahertz frequency ranges;
3. Investigation of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with biological objects; registration and processing of biosignals.

Adjacent to the chair, in the Center for Radiophysical Research there are 2 research laboratories:
1. Terahertz waves laboratory (Scientific Supervisor: Academician R. Martirosyan)
2. Research Laboratory of Nanoplasmonics (Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Kh․ Nerkararyan)

Adjacent to the chair there is the joint laboratory of YSU, Integra Technology Company (USA) and the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics (IRPhE) of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (Head: Prof. Y. Avetisyan)

Cooperation with scientific centers
• University Kaiserslautern (Kaiserslautern, Germany)
• Institute for Sensorer (Alborg, Denmark)
• Research Institute of Electrical Communication, (Tohoku University, Japan)
• Sogang University (Seoul, Korea)
• Osaka University (Japan)
• Integra Technology (USA)

IRPhE NAS RA, IPhR NAS RA, RA Ministry of Defense, etc.

Department of Applied Electrodynamics and Modeling is an educational and research division in Faculty of Radiophysics elaborating over the theory and astrophysical manifestations of nuclear matter and its astrophysical behavior, investigation of properties of atomic systems in intensive non-monochromatic electromagnetic wave’s field, physics and computer models of electromagnetic systems (resonators, waveguides etc.).

The department was established in 1974 and up to 1983 was entitled Department of Nuclear Physics. At that period of time the Department was in active collaboration with Armenian Atomic Station Inc., and trained specialist in the field of "Nuclear physics at small energies and atomic energy". From 1974 to 2000 the Chair has been headed by Prof. Yu. Vardanyan. From 2001 to 2012 the Chair has been headed by Prof. G. Hajyan. From 2012 to 2018 the Chair has been headed by Associate Prof. G. Alaverdyan.

Since 2019 Department has been reorganized and renamed “Applied Electrodynamics and Modeling”. Currently head of Chair is Prof. Arsen Babajanyan.

The Chair has contributions in development of the theory and astrophysical manifestations of nuclear matter, in particular, phase transition to strange quark state in the nuclear plasma, stability and structure of strange stars and neutron stars having quantum nucleus, internal structure of strange dwarfs, their stability and observable behavior. At department researches in fields of three-level atoms under intensive non-monochromatic electromagnetic wave and structure of electromagnetic field in resonators with toroidal elliptic cross-section have been carried out.

Department mission:
• Provide the fundamental knowledge in the theory of electromagnetic fields and applications;
• Prepare high-level specialists in field of electromagnetic waves propagation, application and computer modeling of the electrodynamic processes;
• Perform research concerning physics of super-dense stellar objects and electrodynamic systems.
• Introduce the modern methods and aspects of computer modeling and simulation for solution of applied electrodynamic problems.

Department provides three-level higher education included Ph.D. study in the following specializations:

Bachelor of sciences
Specialization: “Radiophysics”,
Speciality: “Computer Automation and modeling of Scientific Experiment”.

Master of sciences
Specialization: “Radiophysics”,
Master program: “Computer Modeling and Simulation Of Electrodynamic Processes”.

The Department of Physics of Semiconductors and Dielectrics (now the Department of Physics of Semiconductors and Microelectronics) was established in 1965. The first head of the department was corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Armenian SSR Prof. G.M. Avakiants. Later on the department was headed by Doctor of Physical-Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Z. Kasamanyan, Candidate of Physical-Mathematical Sciences, Associate Prof. E. Melikyan. Since 1977, the head of the department is Doctor of Physical-Mathematical Sciences, Prof., Academician of National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Vladimir M. Aroutiounian.

Our Mission
Impart to our society through our R&D works, Educational Programs and Work & Training Ethics cultural values of
• Ergonomic Senosorics (Sensorics and Everyday Life Comfort),
• Green Science (Renewable Energy, Innovative Agriculture, Food Quality Control, Sustainable Development, and Environmental Monitoring - civil awareness increase),
• Life-long Learning (Harmony of knowledge and skills in fast changing world for young, mature and old generations).

Facilitate intercultural integrity and harmony through scientific collaboration and knowledge co-enreachment.

Key research directions
• Sensorics
• Conversion of Solar Energy
• Fluctuations and Noise Phenomena
• Phenomena on Semiconductor-Liquid Crystal Interface
• Quantum size effects in A3B5 Semiconductors

Topical research
• Physics of semiconductors and semiconductor devices
• Development, manufacturing and investigation of new semiconductor materials, devices and thin films
• Photoelectrochemical and thermal photovoltaic conversion of solar energy in semiconductor materials
• Structural, optical and luminescence properties of porous materials
• Physical phenomena in semiconductor low-dimensional structures
• Thermoelectrical phenomena in semiconductor materials

Department provides training and grants scientific degrees in the following specializations:
Bachelor of sciences
• Semiconductor physics & microelectronics
• Radiophysics & electronics

Master of sciences
• Semiconductor physics & microelectronics

Post Graduate Student research positions:
• To get more information over available research topics please contact Head of Chair Prof. V.M. Aroutiounian, e-mail: kisahar@ysu.am

The Department of "Telecommunication and Signal Processing" is an educational and research division of Faculty of Radiophysics, it has been functioning since 2019. The "Telecommunication and Signal Processing" specialty has been working at the Faculty since 2008 at the Department of "Microwave Radiophysics and Telecommunication".

The Department also carries out the teaching of the fundamentals of mathematics, specially developed for the main thematic areas of the Faculty of Radiophysics.

Department mission
Prepare highly qualified professionals in the filed of telecommunication and signal processing with deep and fundamental theoretical knowledge, and ability to apply them effectively in practice.
Development of high quality and protected/secured telecommunication systems.Investigate various electrodynamics structures (resonators, antennas, absorbing metasurfaces and etc.).

Promote the use of modern mathematical apparatus for telecommunication, digital signal processing, as well as for the solving of common “Radiophysical” problems.

Department provides three-level higher education included Ph.D. study in the following specializations:

Bachelor of sciences
Telecommunication and Signal Processing

Master of sciences
Telecommunication

The Problem Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Devices Physics was founded in 1959. The laboratory has been renamed in 2007 and called the “Center of Semiconductor Devices and Nanotechnologies”.

The general scientific direction of YSU Center of Semiconductor Devices and Nanotechnologies refers to semiconductor material science and technology, as well as nanotechnology and nanoelectronics. The main scientific objectives of the Center are the development and research of sensors with improved parameters based on thick and thin films of semiconductor metal oxides and nanocomposite materials with flexible and hard substrates. In addition, Schottky diodes operating in mid-infrared range are prepared based on quantum dots and technology for the production of terahertz photon-controlled elements based on the graphene-liquid crystal structure is developed in the Center. The new methods of operation of nanoscale biological sensors for detection of viruses are theoretically proposed, the zonal structure of bilayer graphene is studied, as well as new types of solid-state electrolytes with improved parameters are predicted.

Mikayel S. Aleksanyan, Head of center

Staff
Hayk A. Zakaryan, Head of laboratory
Hakob L. Margaryan, Chief scientist
Karen M. Ghambaryan, Senior scientist
Zaven N. Adamyan, Senior scientist
Ferdinand V. Gasparyan, Senior scientist
Slavik V. Melkonyan, Senior scientist,
Gohar E. Shahnazaryan, Scientist
Nune H. Hakobyan, Scientist
Artak G. Sayunts, Scientist
Babken O. Semerjyan, Junior scientist
Gevorg H. Shahkhatuni, Junior scientist
Emma A. Khachaturyan, Junior scientist
Gnel M. Stepanyan, Senior engineer
Haykanush R. Hovhannisyan, lab. Assistant

The Terahertz Waves Laboratory is operating in affiliation with the department of Microwave Engineering and Telecommunication of Yerevan State University. The laboratory was founded in 2006.

Main fields of research:

Generation of broadband THz radiation by nonlinear conversion of femtosecond laser pulses

Detection of THz radiation

Design and investigation of THz waveguides

THz spectroscopy

Investigation of THz waves interaction with biological objects.

Specially, the main goals of ongoing researches in laboratory are:

Design and implementation of new effective methods of THz waves generation based on optical rectification of femtosecond laser radiation, which is necessary for widening the dynamic range of the Time Domain Spectrometer.

Study of channeling and dispersionless propagation modes of THz pulses in different types of waveguides, as well as the clarification of possibilities of waveguides applications in Time Domain Spectroscopy.

Detection of femtosecond laserradiationand THz radiation by using ferromagnetic and vacuum devices, and study of their parameters to improve detection sensitivity.

The Terahertz Waves Laboratory, in addition to scientific research, is instrumental in improvingthe practical knowledge of MS and PhD students.The syllabus of MS courses of Microwave Engineering and Telecommunication specializations involve the following courses: “Physics of THz waves”, “THz spectroscopy”, “Generation and detection of THz radiation”, that are carried out within the THz waves laboratory.

Head of Laboratory:
Radik M. Martirosian doctor of science, prof., academician

Laboratory was established in 2015 within the faculty of Radiophysics, at the Chair of the Theory of wave processes and physics.

Scientific research conducted over many years, devoted to the study of the equation of states for superdense matter and to the definition of integral characteristics and internal structure of neutron stars, served as a basis for the foundation of the laboratory. Compact stars are peculiar cosmic laboratories from the viewpoint of studying the structural properties of superdense matter, particularly, for investigating constituent compositions of matter at extremely high densities which are currently inaccessible in terrestrial laboratory conditions. Theoretical study and revelation of the integral characteristics of compact stars create perspectives for obtaining information about equation of state, constituent compositions, interactions and conversions conducted within the matter under such extreme conditions through combination of the results of astronomical observations and theoretical research.

Works are conducted in the laboratory toward the study of the presence of deconfined quarks within compact stars and their impact on the characteristics of the star. Research in this area can be divided into three main directions, namely:

Study of the structure of strange stars,

Study of strange dwarfs and revelation of distinctive features with respect to the white dwarfs.

Study of the structure of hybrid stars with quark core.

Head of Laboratory:
Yuri L. Vardanyan, Doctor of Phys.-Math. Sciences, Professor, Corr. Member of NAS RA.

Laboratory staff
Gevorg S. Hajyan
Grigor B. Alaverdyan

At 2017 research laboratory (RL) “Nanoplasmonics” was created under the "UHF Radiophysics and Telecommunications" department in Faculty of Radiophysics at Yerevan State University.
The main research activities in RL “Nanoplasmonics” are follows:

the phenomenon of the superfocusing (nanofocusing) of surface plasmon polaritons in metallic structures for the high-resolution scanning probe microscopy;

the possibility of entangled quantum states in systems of quantum dipole oscillator and metal nanoparticle for the high-speed data processing systems;

the experimental investigation and computer modeling of light extraordinary transition through the hole in opaque metal screen with size smaller then wavelength of light;

the design of sensitive vibration sensor (up to 50 nm) based on radiation from metallic optical fiber tip crossing the surface of liquid.

In RL “Nanoplasmonics” their experimental work are carried out the undergraduate and postgraduate students from our department. In RL realize the laboratory works for “Integral optoelectronics”, “Nanophotonics”, “Nonlinear and parametric processes”, and “Electrodynamics in artificial environments” courses included in academic plan of "UHF Radiophysics and Telecommunications" department.

Scientific supervisor of RL “Nanoplasmonics”:
Kh.V. Nerkararyan, Prof.

Staff of RL “Nanoplasmonics”
A. Zh. Babajanyan, Sci. D., senior researcher;
T. A. Abrahamyan, Ph.D., researcher;
S. Kh. Nerkararyan, researcher