In the article, we will talk about the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This is a higher educational institution that has an interesting history. We will consider the various structural transformations that have taken place here, and try to form an objective opinion about the university.
First meeting
To begin with, the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences was founded in 1976 by A. Gaponov-Grekhov. Then he created an educational institution based on NIRFI. Currently, the educational institution under discussion is one of the largest academic institutions in Nizhny Novgorod, in which more than 1000 employees are involved.
Since the fall of 2017, G. Denisov, who is a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, temporarily acts as director. However, the position of scientific director of the university belongs to A. Litvak.
The main areas of research are plasma physics, radiophysics, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear optics, and laser physics. At present, the Institute has 5 full members of the RAS, 2 professors and 7 corresponding members of the RAS.
There are two branches that are also located in this city. This is the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute of Physics of Microstructures. Note that the university operates a publishing house.
Historical information
Consider the history of the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It was created in April 1977 on the basis of some departments of NIRFI, which at that time was a leading research institute in the city of Gorky. The talented academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences A. Gaponov-Grekhov put forward such an idea and became the director of a new university. In 2003, A. Litvak, who previously headed the first branch of the IAP, had already become director. The well-known to us A. Gaponov-Grekhov moved to another position, namely, to the position of supervisor. However, after 2 years, that is, in 2005, he left this job and became an adviser to the RAS.
In 2013, the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, like other universities, was transferred to the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations. In 2015, when A. Litvak was the supervisor of studies, A. Sergeev became director.
This year was also significant for the IAP RAS because it was reorganized into the Federal Research Center. Since 2016, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems and the Institute of Physics of Microstructures have also joined it.
After the director of the university was elected in 2017, A. Sergeev publicly announced that he was leaving his post for personal reasons, but at the same time he asked to keep his job. As we already know, the acting director G. Denisov is temporarily acting.
Structure of IAP RAS
Let's talk a little about structural division. To begin with, the general development strategy is determined by the scientific council, which consists of 50 members, regularly elected. The Institute has 4 key areas, namely: the Department of Electronics and Plasma Physics, Geophysical Research, Optics and Nonlinear Dynamics, and the Center for Hydroacoustics.
However, in addition to this, the institute also includes additional education, such as: pilot production, a council of young specialists and scientists, a procurement and research automation department, social, economic and planning and financial departments, scientific and organizational units, a scientific and educational center and engineering -technical unit.
Electronics and plasma physics
At the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Nizhny Novgorod, the aforementioned department of plasma physics and electronics operates. Its director is a corresponding member G. Denisov. This branch is one of the largest. It consists of only 7 departments, as well as several research laboratories. We list the departments: plasma physics, relativistic electronics, electronic devices, nonlinear electrodynamics, astrophysics, radio receivers, plasma technologies.
Geophysics
The Department of Geophysical Research is under the direction of RAE Corresponding Member E. Mareev. The structure includes only 5 departments: microwave diagnostics, electrodynamics, acoustics, nonlinear processes, radiophysical methods. This is the second branch, which is developing quite actively and regularly.
Optics and Acoustics
The department of nonlinear dynamics and optics is headed by A. Khazanov, who is a corresponding member of the RAS. This direction is rather voluminous, since it consists of 8 departments: laser systems, microwave spectroscopy, radiophysical methods and medicine, laser optics, ultrafast processes, nanooptics, diagnostics of optical materials and nonlinear dynamics.
The hydroacoustic center is headed by P. Korotin. This is the smallest area, which consists of only 3 departments: ocean acoustics, physical acoustics, experimental equipment.
Research Areas
Consider the direction of research at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod). One of them is high power electronics. The objectives of the work carried out here are to create sources of electromagnetic radiation that would be coherent and have centimeter frequency ranges. In this case, the possibility of using electron beams is globally considered.
One of the most famous devices that were developed in these walls is the gyrotron. This is a heavy-duty microwave emitter that is designed to heat the plasma during fusion.
The area of plasma electrodynamics
The second important area of research is plasma electrodynamics. A lot of research is being done in this area at the institute. Most attention is paid to the propagation and diffraction of waves in a plasma. The processes of the interaction of radiation with the plasma medium are also studied here. These issues are addressed both as the problem of microwave radiation, or rather its interaction, and as the problem of irradiation of substances with strong lasers for generation of x-ray radiation in a laboratory.
Note that a very large number of studies are aimed at studying the issue of astrophysical plasma. Geophysical electrodynamics is also considered, which faces an important problem of terrestrial electricity, namely the formation of a thunderstorm. Actively researching substances in various extreme conditions.
Radiophysical diagnostics
The third important area of research is radiophysical diagnostic methods. In essence, they are a traditional field of study for IAP RAS. Denisov largely contributes to the development of this area. Already known diagnostic methods are used in various fields.
For example, microwave diagnostics, that is, centimeter-wave irradiation, is used for sensing the environment, studying the Earth's surface and atmosphere, studying hot plasma and the properties of materials. Also, this method is applicable in the field of radio astronomy. At the same time, radar and optical diagnostics are carried out, necessary and used in the study of the ocean. There are even some unique developments presented by measuring complexes.
Acoustic waves are used to detect any defects in the design, diagnose terrestrial rocks and biological tissues.
Acoustic waves
The next area of research is theoretical and experimental research in the field of the influence of low-frequency acoustic waves. The issue of their distribution in the ocean has been a key one for the institute since its inception. At the same time, IAP scientists proved that in the ocean there can exist a waveguide channel that will perceive acoustic modes. Researchers have even begun developing and modeling such channels. At the moment, work is underway in the field of the influence of various random factors on the entire process.
The next important question is the dynamics of nonlinear processes. The Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Nizhny Novgorod is conducting fundamental work in the field of wave process dynamics. Scientists also solve problems regarding the propagation of waves in dispersive media. The issues of nonlinear oscillations in the ocean are considered, namely, how waves and turbulence are excited.
Scientists are modeling such processes in a laboratory using unique facilities such as a circular wave pool. Another area of research concerns the specifics of the propagation of sound vibrations in liquids and gaseous media. A new direction is actively developing, namely, neurodynamics. Scientists are exploring the properties of neural networks, their relationship.

The last important area that we will consider is laser physics. In this area, research is underway on the principles of radiation generation and the creation of new systems that would have unique parameters. Due to the parametric amplification of light, a femtosecond laser system was created here - the first such equipment in our country. Its power allows you to significantly expand the scope of research. It was possible to develop efficient infrared lasers that operate on the basis of crystals. At the same time, work is underway to develop and rebuild fiber-optic lasers. The Institute for Applied Physics developed a technology for growing wide-aperture crystals. Coherent optical tomography, acousto-optic diagnostics of systems are investigated.
Directors
Sergeyev Alexander Mikhailovich at the IAP RAS as a director until 2017. His place in quality and. about. took Grigory Denisov. He is a Russian physicist. Born in the spring of 1956, studied at Gorky State University, where he graduated from the Department of Radiophysics and Electronics. The supervisor of his dissertation was A. Gaponov-Srekhov. She was protected in the spring of 2002.
Regarding the professional interests of the Director of IAP RAS, they relate to the gyrotron, electronic microwave devices, methods for measuring and converting quasi-optical beams, antennas, and transmission lines.
The professional career of Sergeyev Sergey Mikhailovich (IAP RAS) began back in 1978. Since that time, it has been fully associated with the institute under discussion. He held a variety of positions, ranging from an intern researcher to a director.
The man is also a member of the IAP Academic Council and chairman of the expert council of Gikom CJSC. He is also an assistant professor at the HSPOF. Has rewards. In 1987, he received the Lenin Komsomol Prize for his great achievements in technology and science. In 1996 he was awarded the International Prize. D. Rose for his achievements in the field of thermonuclear fusion research. In 2003, he received the State Prize of the Russian Federation for research in the field of radiation of relativistic electron beams. As for publications, A. Sergeev has over 80 articles, 70 reports, about 30 reports and 7 certificates.
Summing up the article, let us say that the Institute of Applied Physics is an important and influential institution, without which it is very difficult to imagine the complex scientific environment of Russia. Note that on the basis of the IAP only as of 2008 there were 7 additional scientific schools.