Author: Kevin Kröninger

The University of Bologna (Italy), the University of Clermont Auvergne (France) and the Technical University Dortmund (Germany) are launching a new Master program starting in the upcoming winter semester. The International Master of Advanced Methods in Particle Physics (IMAPP) is a joint degree program offered by the three universities and supported by internationally renowned partner institutions including CERN, DESY, KEK, MIT and NIKHEF. The main focus of the program is on experimental and theoretical particle physics and in teaching scientific methods. The program is based on three pillars, each of which is associated with one of the three universities. These are machine learning and statistical data analysis, instrumentation and detector physics as well as large-scale scientific computing and programming. The language of the courses is English. The students of one year study as a cohort, who attend courses together at the University of Clermont Auvergne (1st semester), TU Dortmund University (2nd semester) and the University of Bologna (3rd semester) during the first three semesters. In the fourth semester, the students will conduct research and write a Master thesis, which can be carried out at one of the three universities or at one of the associated partner institutions. The enrollment for this Master degree program is now open.

• Further information: https://imapp.eu
  
• Contact: info@imapp.eu
  

Authors: Luc Bergé, Eliezer Rabinovici, Gertrud Zwicknagl, Radu Constantinescu

The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) is an international, world famous intergovernmental organisation located in Dubna, Russia. EPS Historic Site of the EPS, JINR is a unique example of integration of fundamental theoretical and experimental research in nuclear, particle and accelerator physics with developments and applications to cutting edge technology and university education.

On 20 January 2021, a delegation of the EPS composed of the present authors met online with the Directorate of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), including Director Grigory Trubnikov, JINR Chief Scientific Secretary Alexander Sorin, University Center Director Stanislav Pakuliak, and Head of the International Cooperation Department Dmitry Kamanin. This meeting launched prospects for joint initiatives, in particular the opportunity for the EPS to support Physics Summer Schools for young scientists and establish closer contacts to increase mutual exchanges between relevant EPS scientific divisions and groups and the JINR Scientific Council. A second meeting was held on 18 June to go through areas of common interest for further cooperation. Theoretical physics, particle physics, nuclear physics, and high-performance computing were identified as promising realms for co-organizing schools, conferences and participations to future programme advisory committees. The EPS will invite its Divisions and Groups of interest to delegate one or several of their Board Members to join JINR scientific committees. From its side, JINR will organise an EPS Young Minds Section in Dubna. Nikolay Voytishin, the Chairman of the JINR Association of Young Scientists and Specialists (AYSS), has been appointed as a coordinator for this project in Dubna.

These discussions resulted in the signature of a letter of intent between EPS and JINR. The agreement stipulates that JINR will take in charge the lodging and local expenses of students attending its Summer Schools, while the EPS will provide 4 grants of €500 per year for the travel costs. An open call for applications will be managed by JINR. Applicants will only need to send their CV and a letter of reference. A panel involving representatives from EPS and JINR will evaluate the applications and make recommendation to JINR Director and EPS President who will endorse the choice of the selected students.

The EPS fully supports the JINR Summer School programme and invite its community of young researchers to register on http://students.jinr.ru/en for the coming Summer Schools expected to restart on-site from autumn 2021.

Waiting for this, they are also invited to enjoy the free-of-charge current INTernational REmote Student Training (INTEREST) online courses (http://INTEREST.jinr.ru/). The EPS also recommends to attend the JINR AYSS conferences and summer schools (http://uc.jinr.ru/en/isc).

If you are interested in participating to these events, please, contact Ms. Ophélia Fornari (ophelia.fornari@eps.org), Personal Assistant of the EPS Secretary General, or Prof. Stanislav Pakuliak, JINR UC Director (pakuliak@jinr.ru).

The next JINR-EPS meeting is scheduled for September-October 2021.

Authors: Luc Bergé – EPS president, Eliezer Rabinovici, Gertrud Zwicknagl  – Members of the EPS Executive Committee  – and Radu Constantinescu – Chair of EPS European Integration Committee. All authors are members of the Working Group 3 on cooperation with Eastern States.

Author: Anita Pokorska

The team of researchers from the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion in Warsaw has performed systematic numerical (particle-in-cell) studies of the properties of laser-driven carbon ion beams produced under conditions relevant for ion fast ignition (IFI) of DT fuel, and the feasibility of achieving beam parameters required for IFI were discussed. The ignition of nuclear fuel initiated by an intense laser-driven ion beam is a promising option of Inertial Confinement fusion (ICF) which is currently one of the two main paths towards an energy source based on thermonuclear fusion. 

It was found that a 1 ps 200 kJ infrared laser driver is capable of producing ion beams with parameters required for IFI, even with a simple non-optimised target, but only at small distances (<0.1 mm) from the target. At such distances, the beam intensity and fluence exceeds 5 × 10²¹ W cm⁻² and 2 GJ cm⁻², respectively, while the beam energy approaches 30 kJ. The ion beam parameters can be significantly improved by carefully selecting the target thickness and shape. However, even with an optimised target, achieving the beam parameters required for IFI is possible only at distances from the target below 0.5 mm.  

It was shown for the first time that laser-accelerated heavy ion beams produced under conditions relevant for IFI achieve higher parameters determining fuel ignition than light ion or proton beams and, therefore, may be more useful for IFI than previously thought. 

The ion acceleration is accompanied by the emission of powerful (>50 PW) pulses of short-wavelength synchrotron radiation which are the source of significant ion energy losses and may pose a threat to the fusion infrastructure.  

In addition to ICF, the extremely intense ion beams can be a unique research tool for research in nuclear physics, high energy-density physics or materials science.

The intensity and the temporal shape of the ion pulse are two of the most important characteristics of the ion beam that determine the fuel ignition. These characteristics recorded at a distance x equal to 100 µm, 200 µm and 500 µm from the front of the target and averaged over the area of aperture d_ap = 50 µm (the “useful part of the beam”) for Li, C, Al, Ti and Cu ions are presented in figure. The highest peak intensity and the shortest duration are achieved by the Cu ion pulse, both in the near-expansion and far-expansion zone.

Author: Fiona Dorrington

On 25 May 2021, the IOP hosted a workshop with European Member Societies, sponsored by the European Physical Society (EPS) on creating and developing a code of conduct. The workshop was attended by 23 delegates from across 19 countries. It was chaired by Rachel Youngman, IOP Deputy Chief Executive and the outgoing President of EPS, Petra Rudolph, with closing remarks from the incoming President, Luc Bergé.  

The scope of the workshop was for EPS member societies to leave with an action plan to create and implement a code of conduct that ensures the safe participation of all meetings, conference and event attendees. The aim is to work towards an inclusive and equitable culture in STEM across Europe, where all physicists can access and participate in physics, with their safety and protections ensured.  
 
The IOP will be sharing the conference report with attendees in the near future, which will include recommendations for delegates from each of the presentations and support pack of templates and good-practice examples. The IOP will be in attendance at the 2022 EPS council meeting, as a follow-up meeting to discuss progress, share experiences and address challenges as an international community.
 
The case for professional conduct was made by UKRI, using the evidence base and findings through their research. Examples of code of conducts in use followed from IOP, EPS and EPS Equal Opportunities Committee, sharing learnings from the creation and revisions that have been made and included lessons learned. A panel discussion followed, prompting discussion from issues raised, exploring some challenges in greater detail, especially looking at the role of positive action vs positive discrimination.

CERN presented the later session, sharing their experience of developing a harassment investigating framework, and provided practical tips and advice for the creation of one. Delegates then divided into two streams, one focusing on the creation of a code of conduct, with the latter focusing on utilising and strengthening. Delegates then returned to the main room, where feedback and final reflections were shared.

Author: Kees van der Beek

On the 17th of July 2021, Claudine Hermann passed away at the age of 75 in Villejuif (France).

Best-known for her tireless action in favour of gender equality in science, Claudine Hermann was an exceptional person by her wit and wisdom, her keen analysis of both scientific and societal problems, her dedication and commitment to helping others and the community, and her immense energy and work force. Claudine was a physicist of the highest level, and a wonderful colleague respected by all.

After her graduation from Ecole normale supérieure de jeunes filles in Paris in 1965, Claudine obtained her physics degree in 1969. She defended her thesis in condensed matter physics, and more specifically, on the measurements of the Landé factor of the conduction electrons in GaSb, in 1976. This, and later research would prompt Claudine to formulate a highly cited critique of the manner in which k•p type band structure calculations were hitherto performed, and to propose significant improvements.  Claudine occupied an assistant position at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. She was later became lecturer, and then the first woman professor at the Ecole polytechnique in Palaiseau (France), where she was also the vice-president of the physics department from 1985 to 1992. Author of a monograph on statistical physics, Claudine’s lectures were highly praised by all and loved by students, and her contributions to all aspects of training, education, and physics research at Ecole polytechnique were numerous. We particularly cite her work on magneto-optics of metallic multilayers, on photoemission in activated semiconductors, and on optically detected magnetic resonance.

It is in the early 1990’s that Claudine started her action for the promotion of women in science. She joins the Demain la parité (“Equality tomorrow”) group in 1994, and co-authors several reports on young women’s enrolment and position in engineering curricula and in university. With Noria Boukhobzan, Huguette Delavault, and Corinne Konrad, she published Les Enseignantes-Chercheuses à l’université: demain la parité (“Lecturers at university: gender equality tomorrow?”, Harmattan, 2002). In 2000, Claudine co-authored the Science policies in the European Union: Promoting Excellence through Mainstreaming Gender Equality of the European Technology Evaluation Network (ETAN, Directorate General for Research of the European Commission). From 1999 to 2006, she would be an eminent member of the ETAN “Women and Science” group. Claudine would go on to author more than forty articles, books, and other authorative works, and has delivered countless lectures and addresses on the topic across the world.

Claudine Hermann was the co-founder and first president of the French association “Femmes et Sciences” (“Women and Science”), president of the European Platform of Woman Scientists, and a very active member, till the last, of the “Femmes et Physique” (“Women and Physics”) Commission of the French Physical Society SFP. As such, Claudine also very actively participated in EPS activities. Notably, Claudine regularly published in e-EPS, authored various editorials and columns, and was key in bringing about the EPS “Inspiring Physicists” calendar.

With the passing of Claudine, our community loses one of its most exceptional members. Her efforts to the advancement of the cause of women in science are no less than remarkable, and the example she sets unparalleled. Citing Claudine as she expressed herself in 2013: “Many young women ask me whether I am a feminist. If being a feminist means working for women to participate fairly and equally in society, then, ‘yes’, a resounding ‘yes’!”

Claudine Hermann - Image credit: Morinsan via Wikimedia