Dr. Fedor Vasilievich Kusmartsev
Dr. fedor kusmartsev Professor Physics

Contact Information
fedor.kusmartsev@ku.ac.ae +971 2 312 5061

Biography

Prof. Fedor Vasilievich Kusmartsev obtained his PhD at the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics under supervision of Professor E I Rashba (Harvard University). He has given important contributions to Physics of semiconductors and especially to Topological Insulators publishing  in 1985 the first pioneering paper on the subject. He applied the theory of groups symmetry to polarons and self-trapping and found a series of new spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena. He was the first who introduced the application of catastrophe theory and the theory of function singularities and applied them to study the stability of molecules, solitons, and stars.  Due to these achievements in 1989, he was awarded Humboldt Fellowship. Many Body Theory of Superconducting and Semiconductor Materials lead him to the discovery of the Paramagnetic Meisner effect. His research combines fundamental Mathematical Physics and experiments with applications to device development, with an impact on medicine and the environment.  He has also made an important contribution to acoustics, discovered a new type of acoustic metamaterials allowing to stop sound propagation while keep the light  and air go through. Based on this patent together with his PhD student, Dan Elford, in 2012 he founded a very successful company, Sonobex,  which is now with Merford ltd making a huge impact on people's life by building up noiseless houses.

He was elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2011 for his outstanding contributions to the Physics of Semiconductors and Superconductors. He was also elected as a Fellow of the British Institute of Physics in 1999 for the discovery of the Paramagnetic Meisner Effect. Finally, for his excellence in long-term pedagogical practice, he was elected as a Fellow of Higher Education of the Academy.  

He created the concept of Arrays of Josephson Junctions and Quantum Dots unifying these different areas of Physics. He was the Chair of the European  Network on the Physics of Superconductors and Semiconductors. (http://archives.esf.org/coordinating-research/research-networking-programmes/physical-and-engineering-sciences-pen/completed-esf-research-networking-programmes-in-pesc/arrays-of-quantum-dots-and-josephson-junctions-aqdjj.html).

He has been awarded the 1000 Talents Award in Physics Of Topological Materials (2017) for a broad range of contributions to science. He was a visiting  Professor at NORDITA and Tokyo University (1993-1995) and Head of the Physics Department at Loughborough University (1996-2020)

Graduated from MIT at top university of USSR  under the supervision of Professor  E I Rashba, Nobel Prize Winner.

PhD - Landau Institute  for Theoretical Physics, Landau Theoretical Curriculum, 

Leading Researcher at Landau Institute and Professor of Condensed Matter Theory Loughborough University.


Education
  • Lev Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics
  • MIT@ top USSR institution with Distinction
  • Hunboldt Fellow, University of Cologne, Germany

Teaching
  • Acoustics and Noise Control (MEEN 765 )
  • Advanced Mechanics (PHYS412)
  • Advanced Mechanics of Solids and Materials (MEEN 606 )
  • Advanced Mechanics of Solids and Materials (PHYS412)
  • Advanced Quantum Mechanics (ESMA619)
  • Advanced Solid State Physics (ISYE441)
  • Advanced Solid State Physics (MSEN 710 )
  • Advanced Solid State Physics (PHYS707)
  • Advanced Statistical Inference (MATH620)
  • Advanced Thermodynamics (MEEN 603 )

Affiliated Research Institutes/Centers
  • Center for Biotechnology
  • Center for Catalysis and Separation
  • Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center
  • Space and Planetary Science Center
  • Masdar Institute

Research
Research Interests
  • Physics of Condensed Matter
  • Astrophysics and Cosmology
  • Topology in Physics and Cosmology
  • Novel approaches to economics and social networks

Research Projects

Humankind uses practically all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, there is a range of frequencies which is underutilized. This is the so-called terahertz (THz) frequency range, and the associated problem is called the terahertz gap. This range of the electromagnetic spectrum is situated between 0.3 and 30 THz, which corresponds to 10–1000 micrometers (wavelength), 1.25–125 meV (energy) or 2.6–290 K (temperature). The THz gap, which is still hardly reachable by either electronic or optical devices, covers temperatures typical for biological and molecular processes. The recent growing interest in THz science and technology is due to its many important applications in physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and medicine, including THz imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, as well as chemical and biological identification. Here we propose to make nano-devices made from nanometer Ge and α-Sn films, which will be able to convert laser light into coherent THz radiation. Therewith we will develop the new technology, that will employ any types of lasers to generate THz radiation and for THz lasing. This can be done with an electric field applied to these nanostructures. That may be provided just by the pocket battery, which may switch on the pocket laser or the laser pointer. The extraordinary properties of such devices makes them a promising candidate for nurturing integrated photonic circuits and devices with novel capabilities.

communication and sensing in the Terahertz range, based on fundamental quantum mechanisms. Specific objectives will be the following:

OB.1 – to investigate and demonstrate novel antennas, sensors and spectroscopy systems in the THz range.

Several types of nanostructured materials will be investigated, such as graphene nanoribbons and graphene/polymer sandwiches, with embedded mesoscopic structures, or atomic chains (e.g., transition metals dichalcogenides and graphene dots and their chains) with interatomic coupling. First, new promising physical mechanisms will be studied, enabling the excitation of mesoscopic structures via shot noise, Rabi and Rabi-Bloch oscillations, and direct interband THz transitions induced by optical excitation. Then, new effective methods for mesoscopic systems will be developed, based on integral formulations that overcome the limits of the methods available so far. The numerical implementation of such models will allow the analysis and the simulation of novel types of THz devices. Finally, the project will design and implement specific experiments with the aim of observing and demonstrating the proposed physical mechanisms, and of providing proof-of-concept of the proposed THz devices. The final goal is that of bringing these novel solutions from Basic principles and Technology concept (TRL1-2) to analytical and experimental critical function and characteristic proof of concept (prototypes) (TRL3).

Dr. Fedor Vasilievich Kusmartsev joined Khalifa University in 2021 as a full professor.  Before joining KU, he was with the Physics Department of Loughborough University since 1996 where he was Head of the Physics Department from 2001-2013. He was also a lead researcher at the Lev D Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics. Dr. Kusmartsev was also the CEO and co-founder of the spin-out company SONOBEX. 

He has received many awards and academic positions, including:

Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2020
Fellow of American Physical Society (FAPS) 2014
Fellow of British Institute of Physics (FInstP) 1999
CAS President’s International Fellowship Award (PIFI) (2021-2023)
Research Professor of Excellence, ITMO University, Russia (2018 – 2020)
Visiting Professor at University of Roma ToV, Italy (2018 – 2019)
Thousand Talent Award (Distinguished Professor, MTRC, CAE, China (2017 – 2020)
Visiting NORDITA Professor, Copenhagen, Denmark (1995 – 1996)
Visiting Professor at Abo Akademy, Turku, Finland (1994 – 1995)
Visiting Professor at Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan (1993 – 1994)
Professor at Oulu University, Oulu, Finland (1991 – 1993)
Humboldt Fellowship, University of Cologne, Germany (1989 – 1991)

Advisor to the following students & staff:

Dr. Liu Yang, Research Group Leader, MTRC, CAE, China
Prof. Dr. Tilmann Hickel, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
Dr. D. Gulevich, Research Group Leader, ITMO, Russia
Dr. Rabeb Bkakri, Research Group Leader, Monastir University, Tunisia
Dr. Masanori Kohno, Research Group Leader, NIMS, Japan
Prof. Dr. Shahad Alfadhli, Dean of Science and Head of Nano Research Unit at Princess Nourah University, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Dr E. Sherman, Benasque Professor, Spain 
Dr. Wu Zhang, Ass. Prof., Qing Dao University, China
Dr. Jake Bowers, Ass. Prof., Loughborough University, UK
Prof. Dr. Miko Foegelstroem, Professor, Chalmers University, Sweden
Prof. Dr. A. O’Hare, Professor of Mathematics, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Dr. Phil Sutton, Lecturer, University of Lincoln, UK
Dr. Amira Ben Gurion Trabelsi, Lecturer at Princess Nourah University, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Dr. Päivi Törmä, Academy Professor at Aalto, Finland.
Dr. D. Elford, CTO/CEO, SONOBEX-Merford, UK
Dr. L. Chalmers CTO/CEO, SONOBEX-Merford, UK
Dr. D M Forrester, Leading Scientist, QuinetiQ, UK
Dr. V. Shchukin, Chief Scientist of VI Systems GmbH, Germany
Dr. Elena Tea Russo, SISSA, Italy
Dr. Silvia Garelli, Loughborough, UK
Dr. Thomas Hewett, London, UK
Dr. Phil Gamble, UK
Dr. Sathpal Matharu, UK
PhD, Jack Hughes, UK
PhD, Zihao Chen, UK
PhD, Geet Awana, UK

Media coverage of research:

Graphene research media report on the paper by F V Kusmartsev published in Physical Review Letters in 2020, 124, p.087701

Online news articles published in respond on this paper

 between February 3 and March 6, 2020


New graphene amplifier has been able to unlock hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Loughborough University • Peter Warzynski • 3rd Feb, 2020 • news

Researchers have created a unique device which will unlock the elusive terahertz wavelengths and make revolutionary new technologies possible.


The 5 Coolest Things On Earth This Week
GE ReportsGE Reports • 9th Feb, 2020 • Blog

Indeed, a device to amplify THz waves could open a “new era of medical, communications, satellite, cosmological and other technologies,” according to Loughborough University, one of the institutions involved in the ...


Researchers Unlock Elusive Terahertz Wavelengths with a Graphene Amplifier
Everything RF • 7th Feb, 2020 • News

To overcome this challenge, a team of physicists from Loughborough created a new type of optical transistor – a working THz amplifier – using graphene and a high-temperature superconductor. The physics ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Impact Lab • 18th Feb, 2020 • News

 Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said, “As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror.”

A graphene amplifier. Credit: Loughborough University

“The main point is ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
ΙΣΧΥΣ (Ischys) • 10th Feb, 2020 • Blog

 Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough's Department of Physics, said, "As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror."
The main point is that there will be more ...


Graphene amplifier for terahertz radiation
Extremnews • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

... greatly improve broad areas of science such as imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, and chemical and biological identification," said Fedor Kusmartsev, physics professor at Loughborough University. For example, ...


Graphene amplifier taps into elusive terahertz gap
Engineer Online • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

“The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich,” said Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, from Loughborough’s Department of Physics. “As the THz light falls ...


Researchers Introduce New Graphene Amplifier to Explore Terahertz Wavelengths
Tekno Scienze Publisher • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev , of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich. As the THz light ...


Graphene amplifier may tap into the "terahertz gap"
Graphene-Info • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

 Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough's Department of Physics, said, "As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror."


Graphene amplifier for terahertz radiation
ICT Kommunikation • 5th Feb, 2020 • News

... greatly improve broad areas of science such as imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, and chemical and biological identification," said Fedor Kusmartsev, physics professor at Loughborough University. For example, ...


New Graphene Amplifier Unleashes New Frequencies in Electromagnetic Spectrum
Interesting Engineering • 5th Feb, 2020 • News

"As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror," said Professor Fedor Kusmartsev of Loughborough University's Department of Physics, in the phys.org report.
 
"The main point ...


Graphene device bridges the terahertz gap
Laboratory News • 5th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor  Fedor Kusmartsev , of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich. As the THz light ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden electromagnetic frequency
Olhar Digital • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

"When the THz light falls into the sandwich, it is reflected like a mirror," explains professor Fedor Kusmartsev. The THz photons are transformed by graphene into massless electrons, which in turn are ...


Science.- Graphene reveals hidden frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Spanish) • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev of the physics department at Loughborough University said: "the device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich. When the light ...


Graphene reveals hidden frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum
Europa Press • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev of the physics department at Loughborough University said in a statement: "the device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich. ...


New Graphene Amplifier Has Been Able To Unlock Hidden Frequencies In The Electromagnetic Spectrum
RF Globalnet • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich (as shown above).
 
“As ...


New Graphene Amplifier Has Been Able To Unlock Hidden Frequencies In The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Photonics Online • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich (as shown above).
 
“As ...


Researchers Introduce New Graphene Amplifier to Explore Terahertz Wavelengths
Laborpraxis Worldwide • 4th Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich (as shown above).
 
“As ...


New graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Nanowerk • 3rd Feb, 2020 • News

(Image: Loughborough University)    Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
PhysOrg.com • 3rd Feb, 2020 • News

(Image: Loughborough University)    Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Biology News - Evolution, Cell theory, Gene theory, Microbiology, Biotechnology • 3rd Feb, 2020 • News

(Image: Loughborough University)    Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a ...


New graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Nanowerk Nanotechnology Spotlight • 3rd Feb, 2020 • News

(Image: Loughborough University)    Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a ...


New graphene amplifier has been able to unlock hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum 3 February 2020
IC Loughborough • 3rd Feb, 2020 • News

Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said: “The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich (as shown above).

“As the THz ...


Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum
Impact Lab • 18th Feb, 2020 • Blog

 Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough’s Department of Physics, said, “As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror.”

A graphene amplifier. Credit: Loughborough University

“The main point is ...


Graphene amplifier taps into elusive terahertz gap
The Engineer Online • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

“The device has a very simple structure, consisting of two layers of graphene and superconductor, forming a sandwich,” said Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, from Loughborough’s Department of Physics. “As the THz light falls ...


Graphene amplifier may tap into the "terahertz gap"
Graphene-Info • 6th Feb, 2020 • Blog

 Professor Fedor Kusmartsev, of Loughborough's Department of Physics, said, "As the THz light falls on the sandwich it is reflected, like a mirror."


Graphene amplifier for terahertz radiation
ICTkommunikation • 6th Feb, 2020 • News

... greatly improve broad areas of science such as imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, and chemical and biological identification," said Fedor Kusmartsev, physics professor at Loughborough University. For example, ...


Graphene amplifier for terahertz radiation
ICTkommunikation • 5th Feb, 2020 • Blog

 

... greatly improve broad areas of science such as imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, and chemical and biological identification," said Fedor Kusmartsev, physics professor at Loughborough University. For example, ...


Research Staff and Graduate Students:

Staff
Rajesh Made Dr
Students
Jack Hughes Master
Additional Info

Fellow of Institute of Physics, UK

Fellow of American Physical Society

Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK

CAS Presidential Fellow

1000 Talents Award

He wrote several books including Quantum Technologies (together with Dr. D M Forrester 2014), Condensed Matter Theories (2010), From Topological Insulators to Wehl semimetals (Review), and many others. 

Served as a consultant to various industries in the UK and abroad, holds six patents.  Based on the patents he has founded in 2012 the very successful company, “Sonobex”, which is in 2017 joint the EU giant  “MERFORD”

Leadership Experience:

  • Co-founder of SONOBEX ltd spin-out from LU and its Director (2012-2014).
  • 2004 to 2014: Chairman of European Network-Programme “Arrays of Quantum Dots and Josephson Junctions” (AQDJJ):  75 universities from 12 EU countries

Dr. Kusmartsev has more than 30 years of research experience in Theoretical Physics. He developed a theory based around Dirac/Weyl Hamiltonians, which includes carrier relaxation and recombination mechanisms in topologically protected states. We have already established a road map towards the development of THz optoelectronic devices based on topological insulators and discovered quasi-two-dimensional Weyl metals. They have dissipation-less electrical and spin currents even at room temperatures. These currents are also sensitive to light irradiation. Many of these novel electro-spin-optical transport phenomena originate from the topologically protected states, which may exist on the interfaces of these novel hybrid topological materials developed we developed. In particular, the unique spin structure of these topological states allows us to design of Faraday isolators and optical switches that operate without an external magnetic field, leading to a major technological breakthrough. The topological character of Weyl metals allows to design and fabricate Veselago lenses and transistors. These new lens will allow to focus electrons in a very narrow spot with the size less than atom. Therewith a new atomic level microscope will be build up in near future and that will revolutionise the imaging technology.

Other research topics include:

  • Chaos and Nonlinear Physics in topological materials
  • THz radiation devices from semiconductor and superconductor superlattices and graphene-superconductor hybrids
  • Excitons in 2D materials, Graphene, Nanophysics, Metamaterials, Topological Dirac and Weyl materials
  • Many body physics, Photovoltaics, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of graphene-superconductor hybrids
  • Electron-Hole liquid in 2D materials and its instability
  • Cosmology, Dark Matter and Dark energy, Theory of axion galaxy droplets with topological defects
  • White holes with dark energy
  • Gravitational mass of sound and vortices
  • Gravitational Waves associated with boson star and black hole interaction
  • Quantum Field Theory Methods and its application to Quantum Computing with superconductor-graphene hybrids and analogous systems
  • Magnetic Nanoparticles and their application in Nanomedicin, FMR resonances and their dependence on topological environment such substrate from Weyl materials
  • Internet, Networks, Complex Systems, Sociophysics and Econophysics. Application of geometro-dynamics methods to these systems
  • Topological order in high-temperature superconductors

Research Projects:

For more than a decade Dr. Fedor Vasilievich Kusmartsev has led a series of research projects, especially, leading and managing the large multi-stakeholder research consortium – the European Network-Programme “Arrays of Quantum Dots and Josephson Junctions”(AQDJJ) from 2004, which includes 75 universities from 12 EU countries. The European Science Foundation assessment reports unanimously stated that the strong success of the AQDJJ consortium work was “due to the leadership of the AQDJJ chairman, Prof F V Kusmartsev.” 

He has given over 71 plenary and invited talks at international conferences, research seminars at other institutions and four series of short research courses on Topological materials in research centres, e.g. Plenary lecture ”The Terahertz Devices from hybrids of superconductors and topological materials” at the Intern. Conference Superconducting Terahertz Devices 2020 (STD2020).

Dr. Kusmartsev received more than £4M funding, in total, from various sources UK, ESF, EU and others that include:

Leverhulme Professorship, E.J. Mele, Project on Topological Insulators, £95, 000, Leverhulme Trust, UK (2014 – 2016)
Network-Programme grant on Arrays of Quantum Dots and Josephson Junctions, AQDJJ (Chair of ESF Network AQDJJ), £1,000,000, European Science Foundation (2003 – 2012)
Synthetic materials £495,773, EPSRC, UK (2011 – 2015)
Practical Sound Attenuation, £167,750, EPSRC, UK (2011 – 2010)
Centre for Manufacture&Characterisation at the Nanoscale, £1,200,000, HEFCE, UK (2007 – 2010)
Semi-/Super-conducting nano-devices for terahertz radiation £302,373, EPSRC, UK (2007 – 2010)

Affiliated Research Centers:

  • E I Rashba, role of spin-orbital interaction in Ge/Sn topological mterials, Harvard University, USA*
  • Eugene J Mele, Topological Materials and snake states in in Ge/Sn hybrid p-n junctions, Penn State University, USA*
  • Kui Jin, high-quality films made from various high-temperature superconductors made with Pulse-Laser Deposition (PLD) method, IOP, CAS, China
  • Andre Geim, Manchester University, Small superconductors, graphene, Dirac fermions in in Ge/Sn. *
  • Yi Luo, micro-nano-fabrication nano-thin-films and terahertz devices, MTRC, CAE, China
  • Lutfi Ozyuzer, terahertz radiation from high-temperature superconductors and its detection with in Ge/Sn heterojunctions, Izmir Institute of Technology (IIT), Turkey
  • Kazuo Kadowaki, growing single crystals of HTSC on the hybrids in Ge/Sn, University of Tsukuba, Japan
  • Marat Gaifullin, making tapes from the films of high-temperature superconductors. Providing fabrication support of HTSC and Ge/Sn samples and devices, SuperOx Japan