Department of Plasma Physics and Technology
About us
The Department of Plasma Physics and Technology (DPPT) is a modern facility known in the scientific community in many disciplines. We are engaged in basic and applied research and teaching activities. The department was established in the late 1950s. Our activities continue a long tradition of researching vacuum physics, electronics, plasma physics, and developing new plasma technologies. Over the years, the research direction has changed from emphasizing vacuum physics and electronics to plasma physics and nanotechnology. One of the most significant milestones shaping the DPPT was establishing the CEPLANT centre in 2010.
6
research groups
20
laboratories
30
Ph.D. students
168
publications in last three years
Applied and employed
Our research focuses on the practical applications of newly developed technologies and processes. Graduates easily find jobs after graduation.
High-quality equipment
Researchers and students have access to modern and high-quality instruments for both complex diagnostics and the preparation of various materials.
Students in research
We actively engage students in research from the beginning of their studies. We guarantee a specialized Bachelor's degree in Physics - Nanotechnology.
Cutting-edge science
We publish around sixty scientific articles per year. Significat are our practical results for industry and international collaborations.
The Department of Plasma Physics and Technology builds on the history of the Department of Physical Electronics and Vacuum Physics, established in the late 1950s. Initially, scientists were engaged in basic research on high-frequency discharges in gases. The department was the first workplace in Czechoslovakia where scientists began systematically to focus on surface treatments of materials using plasma.
Prof. Jan Janča led the department from 1994 till 2006. The Kotlářská Science Faculty campus was under reconstruction between 2003 - 2006. Under the leadership of Prof. Janča, new laboratories were built, and the number of employees increased. Prof. Janča successfully obtained funding for two large-scale research projects of the MEYS (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports) focused on research, development, and applications of non-isothermal low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma and its interactions with matter. In 2006, the department changed its name to the Department of Physical Electronics, which was used until September 2023.
The most significant event in the department's history was the attainment of a project from the Operational Programme Research and Development for Innovation (OP VaVpI) by Prof. Mirko Černák. The project CEPLANT jas a Regional R&D Centre for Low-Cost Plasma and Nanotechnological Surface Treatment, implemented between 2010 - 2014, provided practical solutions to technological problems for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Since 2019, the department has been led by Prof. Petr Vašina. Thanks to his leadership, the department has established independent research groups and increased the number of projects and employees. In 2023, the Department of Physical Electronics changed its name to the Department of Plasma Physics and Technology, reflecting the research activities better.
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end of 1950s
Founding of the Department of Physical Electronics and Vacuum Physics
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2006
Department of Physical Electronics
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2010
Establishment of CEPLANT centre
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2017
CEPLANT in KETs network (Key Enabling Technologies)
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2018
CEPLANT is a large research infrastructure
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2023
Department of Plasma Physics and Technology
Please read the complete history of our department in the book "History written by natural scientists." The book is an almanac of the history of science of MU Faculty of Science. Each chapter tells the story of the development of the individual fields. And because people are always behind every story, you will also find biographical medallions of selected personalities.
You can find the history of all the physics departments at the end of the book. The chapter on the Department of Plasma Physics and Technology is on page 922 under the older title of the Department of Physical Electronics.