Professor of the Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technology, Optical Design and Engineering, Associate Professor of the Nanophotonics and Metamaterials Unit Ivan Yorsh is currently delivering lectures on “Metamaterials” as part of the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics.

“I heard about the “Quanta” Program about a year ago. It seemed quite interesting, and I agreed to lecture through the Program. I am very happy to be here now,” he said.

The guest lecturer obtained a PhD in Physics from the University of Durham. Yorsh has been exploring the existence of the interaction of light in small substances for years. According to him, this field has been actively advancing over the past decade, especially after graphene was discovered about 20 years ago.

“I’m interested in finding materials that can be used to create new optical devices and optical effects. In addition, it is interesting to explore the internal electronic structures of the given materials through the use of light, learn new things and try to control them,” the professor said.

According to Ivan Yorsh, the topic of the course (“Metamaterials”) is based on various studies conducted years ago. The theoretical article that Soviet scientists wrote about how light is going to spread in certain hypothetical environments, laid the foundation for experiments in the 2000s, and this allowed understanding several questions regarding the spread of light.

“Those materials and studies were applied in other fields, including acoustics and quantum physics. This course is devoted to more theoretical approaches developed through the studies on these materials, not strictly mortar materials,” the professor stated.

The professor has his tertiary formula for transmitting his knowledge to and teaching the students.

“In the beginning, the students listen to me as I tell them a story. At the second level, I help them solve a certain problem. In the end, it is important for them to have independent thinking and complete the task,” he emphasized.

According to Ivan Yorsh, at the end, students should understand the subject at the level at which they can apply their knowledge. Yorsh added that the sources of inspiration for learning can vary, but there is one thing that he attaches the most importance to during his lectures.

“I try to draw my students’ attention to the fact that there are still many questions that remain unanswered in this field and there are many things that are still incomprehensible, even when we talk about topics that have already been discovered. Sometimes people think everything is discovered and there is nothing left to explore. Students who wish to get involved in this field, need to know that there are questions that remain unanswered, and this can be a source of inspiration for them,” he stressed.

The guest lecturer views the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program as an interesting experiment, highlighting the courses of the Program devoted to nuclear physics and fundamental physics. According to him, it’s important that the students gain knowledge from the professionals in the field.