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Authors

Kevork Abazajian �Professor, University of California, Irvine �California, USA�
Ani Aprahamian �Freimann Professor of Physics at Notre Dame, Professor of Chemistry �Indiana, USA�
Ruben Minasian �Professor, Institut de Physique ThÃ©orique, CEA-Saclay �France�
Levon Pogosian �Professor, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University �British Columbia, Canada�
Vatche Sahakian �Burton Bettingen Professor in Theoretical Physics at Harvey Mudd College �California, USA

Emil Yuzbashyan �Professor of Condensed Matter Physics, Rutgers University �New Jersey, USA�
Armen Sedrakian �Fellow at Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies �Germany�
Vladimir Airapetian �Senior Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center �Maryland, USA�
Gagik Shmavonyan�National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Head of Nanotechnology Laboratory�Armenia

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Advisors

Felix Aharonian �Professor, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS); Yerevan State University �Ireland
Vladimir Airapetian �Senior Astrophysicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center�Maryland, USA
Armen Allahverdyan �Alikhanian National Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute)�Armenia
Roger Balian �Emeritus researcher at Institut de Physique Théoorique, CEA, Saclay�France
Areg Danagoulian �Professor, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology �Massachusetts, USA
Stephan Fauve �Professor, Department of Physics, Ecole normale superieure �France
Naira Hovakimyan �Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign �Illinois, USA

Ann Karagozian �Distinguished Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles �California, USA
Gor Khachatryan �Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Mechanics, Department of Economics and Management, Yerevan State University �Armenia
Elias Kiritsis �APC, CNRS, Universite de Paris �Greece
Vahe Petrosian �Professor of Physics and Applied Physics Departments, Chair of Astronomy Program, Stanford University �California, USA
David Petrosyan �Principal Researcher (Associate Professor), Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas �Greece
Grigor Sargsyan �Professor IMPAN, Institute of Mathematics of Polish Academy of Sciences �Poland
Khachik Sargsyan �Principal Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories �New York, USA

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Outline

Why the Physical Sciences in Armenia?
An International Research Center
Implementation & Roadmap

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Why the Physical Sciences?

Fundamental physical sciences is at the core of sciences and technology: it is said that Physics is the mother of all the sciences.

Tradition for Physics is strong in Armenia

Highest per capita number of physicists in the world

30% of all science papers from Armenia are in Physics

70% of citations of scientific work from Armenia are Physics papers

Diaspora of scientists is heavily physics oriented

CEOs of IT companies are physicists

High School students in Armenia love Physics more than any other field

Physics often attracts some of the most talented individuals, and trains them in problem solving skills that is applicable in many disciplines and in industry.

Applied Physics is a cornerstone of technological development: from the electrical revolution, to space technology, to the internet were all initiated by physicists. Quantum Technologies, Nanotechnology, and Nuclear Physics are amongst the more financially accessible disciplines for Armenia to focus on.

Economic Prosperity

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The next revolution in computers

Innovations in Science:

Quantum Technologies

Theory:

Experiment: Quantum Sensors

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Motivation

Dire State of Physics Education in Armenia

Large Diaspora in Science

Recent science Armenia org. of 400 members
US-Armenia Binational NSF efforts
Armenian Govt. dedication to Science/Technology
Armenian Society of Fellows

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An International Research Center

Establishment of an independent center of research in physical sciences and quantum technologies

Can act as a focal point where international and local scholars can gather in an environment that is familiar in modern international research circles

A place with a well-structured and coordinated visitor program, a venue for international schools and workshops, a modern computational infrastructure to serve the needs of research.

A place that provides an efficient governing structure with an independent and international dimension.

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Morocco

Rwanda

Egypt

Brazil

Armenia

ICTP Regional Center?

CERN membership?

Depends on Govt of RA

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Implementation & Roadmap:

Bringing together human resources and international expertise

Draw international funding through the network of Diasporan scholars

Create collaborations with international centers of excellence

Engage with local researchers

Collaboration MOU’s with local institutions

Efficiency and excellence

Base on model that fits into the international system

Education and outreach

MOU’s with local educational institutions to allow international scholars to participate in teaching.

Guiding principles

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Implementation & Roadmap

Our Capacity

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Scientific breadth and expertise

Cosmology, astrophysics and astroparticle physics

Condensed matter and quantum physics, including theoretical and experimental nanotechnology

High energy physics

Nuclear Physics: Experiment & Theory

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Activities

Visitors and Workshop Program

Short-term visitors

Long-term visitors

Integration with local talent

Associate & Affiliate Members

Co-advising of graduate/undergraduate students
Education and summer schools
Outreach and education
Regional research hub

Our network already connected to 15 international centers

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Key benchmarks

Year 1: Recruiting 3 Senior Fellows

Seed funding: around one million dollars

Year 2: Recruiting 3 additional Senior Fellows, 3 Junior Fellows

Annual budget: around $500,000

Secure first international grants to scale up operations

Year 3: Recruiting 3 additional Junior Fellows, organization of three or more international workshops and schools

Annual budget: around one million dollars

Secure additional grants and collaborations from outside Armenia.

Year 4: Full research program initiated in all areas

Annual budget: around 1.5 million dollars

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Conclusion

A Center for Physical Sciences & Quantum Technologies is completely doable!

Connections exist
Potential for bringing Armenian science to international recognition
Helping the IT industry grow
Impact the GDP of Armenia with potential disruptive technologies in
Ultra-High precision sensors
Quantum Technologies broadly

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