Leaders in the field of laser physics gather at YSU: Siegman International School on Lasers launched

The annually held Siegman International School offers students the opportunity to study the fundamentals of laser physics and the applications of lasers across various fields of science and technology. Additionally, it provides a platform for students to present their research outcomes. 

More than 100 graduate students are invited to participate in the one-week program, during which internationally recognized scientists and representatives from leading industrial organizations deliver lectures. 

The Siegman International School on Lasers features lecture sessions covering topics such as laser design, operating principles, nonlinear properties of active media from different origins, diverse applications, and current challenges in the field. As part of the program, students will also tour YSU Photonics AI Lab to learn more about its ongoing research.  

At the opening ceremony of the international school, welcome speeches were delivered by Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Rector of YSU; Tatevik Chalyan, YSU graduate, Ambassador of the international organization OPTICA, and researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Mushegh Rafayelyan, Head of Photonics AI Lab at YSU; and Heidi Ottevaere, Professor at Free University of Brussels. 

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized the importance of hosting the Siegman International School on Lasers, saying: "I am glad to see world-renowned scholars, researchers and students gathered at Yerevan State University as part of the international school. I am convinced that, during this scientific event, participants will gain new experiences, acquire knowledge, and establish collaborative ties. After touring YSU Photonics AI Lab, participants will see that YSU places particular emphasis on replenishing its laboratories with necessary equipment, aiming to create a favorable environment enriched with a strong material and technical base for both students and researchers."

Tatevik Chalyan emphasized that YSU is the first university in the region to host this international school. She noted: "The Siegman International School is held annually at universities in different countries. To become a host university, institutions must first submit an application, after which the location for the school is selected from the applicants. YSU, in collaboration with Free University of Brussels, submitted an application and was chosen to host this year’s international school. I find it significant that after Stanford, where the school was first held, the Siegman International School is now taking place at Yerevan State University."

Tatevik Chalyan added that the primary goal of the international school is to create a platform where students can interact with world-renowned founders of laser physics, as well as establish new cultural connections with representatives from various countries. 

"We aim to maximize Armenia’s involvement in the international scientific community," she emphasized.

Mushegh Rafayelyan highlighted that in close cooperation with the international organization OPTICA, a series of international conferences and scientific events are regularly held. Speaking about the school, he said: "This year, the international school held at YSU has over 90 participants, most of whom come from abroad (around 25 countries). The majority of participants are master’s and PhD students eager to acquire new knowledge in the field of laser physics."

One of the international school’s lecturers was Henry Helvajian, senior scientist at the Aerospace Corporation. Advising young people wishing to specialize in laser physics, he said: "I would like them to think beyond established limits, not only about what lasers have done so far, but about what they can do in the future. Armenia and other developing countries can gain an advantage by working in this direction. Currently, lasers are used in manufacturing, medicine, and other fields, but they are still not widely applied in space. Perhaps this is an opportunity to do something new." 

It is important to highlight that the organization of the Siegman International School on Lasers also includes the active involvement of YSO Student Chapter—the joint student branch of the international organizations OPTICA and SPIE.

As part of the one-week international school, professors from universities in the UK, Italy, Germany, Romania, the USA, India, Belgium, and several other countries will deliver lectures.