1. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and
Strategies of International
Cooperation
Dr. Florin Buzatu, Director General
Institute of Atomic Physics (IFA)

2. Content
• Research institutes and main research activities
developed on the Magurele Physics Campus
• The status of ESFRO - the current national
project to assess the development possibilities of
the field of Physics in Romania
ESFRO project is envisaging the near- and far-future participation of
Romanian scientists and institutions in large research infrastructures
as well as the main directions of international cooperation at a
regional and global level.
• 1949: Institute of Physics of the Romanian Academy
• 1956 Institute of Atomic Physics (IFA)
• 1976 Central Institute of Physics (ICEFIZ)
• 1990 New Institute of Atomic Physics (IFA)
• 1996 R&D National Institutes

3. Bucharest
Măgurele – Pole of Physics
BUCHAREST
ring rail/road IFA
NUCLEAR
LASERS & PLASMA γ – Irradiator
Tandem acc.
MATERIALS
EARTH IFA Waste Proc.
OPTOELECTRONIS Cyclotron
------------------ Reactor (decomm.)
Space Sciences ----------------
Theoretical Physics Adv. Detectors
Particle Physics Life & Env.
Computing Radioisotopes
Nat. Phys. Library
-------------------
UNIVERSITY
(Faculty of Physics)
High School
-------------------
ENGINEERING

4. IFIN-HH gr. 1
Physics@Măgurele.RO
ISS
Optoelectronica INFP
Nuclear & Vacuum INFLPR INOE
CITON
INFM
IFIN-HH gr. 2
IFA
FF-UB

5. IFA: ScientificTradition & Performance
1st Reactor, Cyclotron and Betatron (1956)
• 1st Romanian Computer (1957)
• 1st Laser (1962 – I. Agârbiceanu)
• Tandem Accelerator (1974)
• Radioisotope Production Centre (1974)
• Nuclear Waste Processing Centre (1974)
Founding Fathers:
Eugen BĂDĂRĂU Horia HULUBEI Alexandru PROCA Ion AGÂRBICEANU Şerban ŢIŢEICA
1887-1975 1896-1972 1897-1955 1907-1971 1908-1985

6. IFA – short history
2008 New IFA
2006 IFA: CEEX
2001 IFA: CERES
1999 IFA: EURATOM-Fusion
Research Unit
1996 INCD: IFIN-HH, INFLPR, INFM, INFP
1990 CSEN IFA (ICEFIZ)
IRNE → Min. En. El.
1977 CSEN: ICEFIZ, IRNE
ICEFIZ: IFIN, IFTAR, IFTM, CFPS, CASS, FAN,
ITIM Cluj-Napoca, CFT Iaşi, Uzina G Rm. Vâlcea
1973 ICEFIZ: IFA, IFB, IFA-Cluj, …
1956 IFA & IFB
1949 Inst. Fiz. Acad.

7. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
of International Cooperation
PHYSICS@MAGURELE
A realm of different constraints – of social, historical, political or
whatever other nature – has shaped the destiny of the Magurele
Campus.
The more than 60 years of Physics history in Romania, its
outstanding personalities and their major accomplishments have
defined and determined its role in the Romanian society, its
contribution to the culture and civilization of the country.
In terms of assets and personnel, the Magurele Campus, acting as
a National Lab, covers almost 40% of the national scientific
output.
The current status of Physics in Romania as well as its medium
range development perspectives are addressed.
Six of the most important research centers in Romania are
located at Magurele. These centers represent the ideal
combination between research and specialized university
education, thereby guaranteeing a permanent flow of young
researchers into the field. Five institutes and the Faculty of
Physics are presented in the following.

8. The Horia Hulubei National R&D Institute for
Physics in Romania:
Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH)
Research Capabilities and Strategies
The largest R&D institute in Romania – in terms of assets and personnel, of International Cooperation
the institute addresses a comprehensive spectrum of research and
development activities in fundamental and applied Nuclear Physics and in
related areas including Astrophysics, Particle Physics, Atomic Physics, Life
and Environmental Physics, Theoretical Physics, Nuclear Techniques, and
Advanced Communication Systems
R&D personnel: 394 (289 researchers, 29 PhD supervisors, 173 PhD,
51 PhD students).
National interest facilities: 6 (Tandem accelerator, Multiple-purpose
irradiation facility, Radioactive waste treatment and storage plant, National
radioactive waste repository, Cyclotron, Reactor – in decommissioning).
Publications: ~300/year in ISI journals.
Web site: www.ifin.ro.

9. The National R&D Institute for Laser, Plasma
and Radiation Physics (INFLPR) Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
INFLPR is carrying out basic and applied research in of International Cooperation
the fields of laser, plasma, electron beam and space
physics:
a) Developments of laser systems (solid-state lasers
from continuous-wave to fs generation and from
microchip to high power, excimer lasers, CO2 lasers)
towards the construction of the TW -class femtosecond
laser with a further extension to higher power using
OPCPA technique. The activity in the laser field involves
all the aspects of laser, such as the laser active
medium, vacuum deposited optical components,
devices for Q-switching or mode-locking, nonlinear
devices, mechanical and electronic parts and so on;
b) The science being carried out within the Laser
Laboratories by own scientists and university
colleagues from Romania and from elsewhere in
Europe includes theory and experiments related to
laser-atoms, laser-plasma interaction towards laser
particles acceleration, and laser-surface interaction for
material processing, thin film pulsed laser deposition,
laser nanotechnologies, biomedical applications and
nonlinear optics purposes; c) Laser metrology.
R&D personnel: 337 (222 researchers, 19 PhD Foreseen developments devoted to high power lasers: study and
supervisors, 134 PhD, 70 PhD students). development of high power fs laser systems, high harmonics
generation, laser sources in the X-ray domain, high power laser
National interest facilities: 2 (Electron Accelerator - interaction with matter, laser metrology, technological and
betatron, linear accelerator, microtron, Magnetic dense medical applications of the ultra-short pulses lasers.
plasma plant), Laser Metrology and Standardization;
Quantum Electronics; Plasma Physics & Nuclear
Fusion; Low temperature Plasma; Electron Beam & Web site: www.inflpr.ro .
Accelerators. Subsidiary: Institute for Space Sciences.

10. Physics in Romania:
The National R&D Institute for Physics of Research Capabilities and Strategies
of International Cooperation
Materials (INFM)
devoted to fundamental and applied research in the fields of
solid state physics and materials research.
R&D personnel: 215 (174 researchers, 14 PhD supervisors, 89
PhD, 59 PhD students).
National interest facilities:1 (Photoemission spectroscope).
Other Departments/fields of research: Advanced Materials for
Special Applications, Solid State Magnetism, Low Dimensional
Systems, Optics and Spectroscopy, Structure and Dynamics of
Condensed Matter.
Publications: ~200/year in ISI journals
Web site: www.infim.ro.
Raman Microscope
Complex cluster for surface physics:
MBE, RHEED, STM, XPS, LEEM
RF-sputtering with in-situ characterization techniques: Auger, ellipsometry

11. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
of International Cooperation
The National R&D Institute for Optoelectronics
(INOE 2000)
R&D personnel: 124 (97 researchers, 1 PhD supervisor, 32
PhD, 33 PhD students).
Departments/fields of research: Lasers and fiber optics
communication; Optoelectronics methods for medical
applications; Research centre for advanced surface processing
and analysis by vacuum technologies; Optoelectronic methods
and techniques for cultural heritage restoration/conservation;
Remote sensing. Publications: ~40/year in ISI journals
Foreseen developments devoted to high power lasers: Time-
domain experiments (Spectroscopy on dilute samples), Laser-
plasma Interaction (Propagation of intense laser pulses in
dense matter), “Exotic Physics” (Exploring the fundamental
properties of vacuum), Medicine (Application to Hadron
Therapy), Secondary Sources for Material Science Studies
(Understanding fundamental aging processes in nuclear power
plant material, Improving environment: transmutation and
nuclear waste treatment), Education and Training.
Web site: www.inoe.ro.

12. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
of International Cooperation
National Institute of R&D for Earth Physics (NIEP)
NIEP carries out the seismic survey of Romania and operates the national
seismic network. It has a wide background in Earth sciences research, with
focus on seismic source and seismotectonics, seismic hazard assessment,
site effects and microzonation, lithosphere structure and dynamics,
earthquake prediction, assessment and mitigation of seismic risk. Also, NIEP
has long experience in regional and global seismic studies and ensures
Romania?s technical contribution to global seismological monitoring in
support of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Given its demanding operational mission, key objective of NIEP is the
development of an advanced seismic data collection and management
system, including robust real-time data acquisition techniques, reliable
communications links, rapid processing and exchange of earthquake
information, creating and handling of large data sets, compilation of bulletins
and earthquake catalogues.
www.infp.ro

13. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
of International Cooperation
University of Bucharest - The Faculty of Physics (FF-UB)
Academic staff: 135 (49 full Professors).
Studies on three levels: Licence (Physics - 3 years; Technological
Physics –4 years), MD (4 semesters) and PhD (3 years).
The domains covered are: (a) General -Physics, Medical Physics and
Biophysics; Educational Physics, (b) Condensed Matter Physics, (c)
Earth Physics, Environment Physics and Meteorology, (d) Theoretical
Physics, (e) Optics, Spectroscopy, Plasma and Lasers, (f) Atomic &
Molecular Physics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics, (g)
Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, (h) Electronic Physics and
Metrology, (i) Polymer, (j) Econophysics.
Students: 600 (licence), 190 (MD), 170 (PhD).
Website: www.fizica.unibuc.ro.

14. Physics in Romania:
Research Capabilities and Strategies
ESFRO of International Cooperation
ASSESMENT OF THE ROMANIAN RESEARCH
POTENTIAL IN THE FIELD OF PHYSICS AND
ELABORATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGY
CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
OS1. Elaboration of a methodology for the evaluation of the scientific
and technical, human and material potential of the research trends in
Romanian physics and its capacity to participate in large international
collaboration projects
OS2. Identification of research directions in physics, institutions,
laboratories and groups with a real potential for the development and
enhancement of the international visibililty and socio-economic impact
(assesment 2001-2008).
OS3. Setting up the objectives of the scientific and technical program
of the large european research infrasturctures in which Romania can
participate in a consistent and efficient way.
OS4. Elaboration a participation strategy for Romania participation in
large short (2012-2014) and medium (2015-2020) term international
collaboration unei strategii de participare a Romaniei la marile
colaborari in physics.
OS5. Setting up strategic objectives and proposal of a set of actions
meant to enforce the human and material potential of physics research
in Romania in view of the enhancement of the socio-economic impact
and international visibililty of this field.

15. Physics in Romania:
ESFRO Research Capabilities and Strategies
ASSESMENT OF THE ROMANIAN RESEARCH of International Cooperation
POTENTIAL IN THE FIELD OF PHYSICS AND
ELABORATION OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGY
CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES
OM1. Setting up a data basis structured according to
specific indicators to gather all the essential information for
the assesment of the human and material potential of the
research directions in Romanian physics as well as the
results obtained in the frame of the collaboration other fields
of Romania's science and technology.
OM2. Setting up an assesment algorithm of the potential of
the research directions in Romanian physics.
OM3. Setting up a selection methodology of the evaluators
in the field of physics and setting up a data basis of the
potential evaluators in Romania for different domains of
competence.
OM4. Setting up a data basis structured according to
specific indicators to gather all the essential information
concerning the partipation of Romania in large international
collaborations in the filed of physics.
OM5. Setting up a selection methodology for the proposals
concerning the partipation of Romania in large international
physics projects.

16. Conclusions
• Large international collaborations in which Romanian
physics is involved, among which outstanding are the
participation in the CERN – LHC program and the
construction art Magurele near Bucharest of the ELI
Nuclear Physics pillar, have determined a
reconsideration of the main strategic lines of research
in physics.
• New developments in Romanian physics research
ask for a survey and updating of its main strategic
directions. The basic procedures and principles are
briefly presented, emphasizing some of the most
important objectives.