Research Projects

Research activities in the Physics Division

In the year 1996 nine teachers of the Department of Natural Sciences and four research scientists carried out their research at the Physics Division of the Science Institute. In addition, more than twenty research assistants and students sponsored by different research funds and private companies were employed for longer and shorter periods of time during 1996.

The research projects in the Physics Division are of various kinds: In experimental physics the emphasis was on solid state physics, optics and laser physics. Investigations in radiation physics is the longest running project of the Science Institute, and still an active topic. Other research projects in the Physics division include theoretical solid state physics, astrophysics, technical physics, production of synthetic fuels from domestic ressources, investigations of ground water systems, and history of science.

The Physics Division runs an electronic workshop and a mechanical workshop. The former is responsible for design and construction of electronic circuits and devices as well as operating the central computer of the Science Institute. The main function of the latter is fine mechanical construction and repair. The Physics Division also oversees the operation of the Super Darn radar project on the south-west coast of Iceland through which French scientists monitor the outer atmosphere. A similar service is provided to the British Cutlass radar station on the south coast, which is a part of the same radar network. Below, the research projects are listed.

Infrared optics
Ari Ólafsson

• Spectroscopy of gas molecules using CO₂ lasers.
  Cooperation J. Henningsen, DFM, Copenhagen
• Photoacoustics using weak light sources
  1. Measurements of air pollution by means of diode lasers and photoacoustics.
     Cooperation: J.L. Destombes, LSH, Lille
  2. Measurements of air pollution using photoacoustics in an FTIR spectrometer.
     Cooperation: Sigurður Jakobsson, Science Institute, Reykjavik
• Non-linear dynamics in a waveguide CO₂ laser.
  Cooperation: A. Pisarchik, Institute of Physics, Minsk.

Bragi Árnason

• Production of synthetic fuels and ground water investigations.
• Production and use of synthetic fuels form domestic energy resources. Cooperation: Icelandic Marine College and the Icelandic Fertilizer Plant.
• Investigation on ground water systems in the Colombian Andes. Cooperation: Universidad Nacional, Medelin, Columbia.

Astrophysics
Einar H. Guðmundsson

• Thomas-Fermi calculations of atoms and matter in a strong magnetic field and at finite temperature. Cooperation: Aðalbjörn Þorólfsson, CETP; Örnólfur E. Rögnvaldsson, TAC; Jakob Yngvason, University of Vienna.
• Evolution of closed universe models. Cooperation: Gunnlaugur Björnsson, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
• Investigation of gravitational lenses with the Nordic Optical Telescope.
  Cooperation: Örnólfur E. Rögnvaldsson, TAC; Jens Hjort, NORDITA; Eelco van Kampen, TAC; Andy N. Taylor, Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Andreas O. Jaunsen, University of Oslo.
• Investigation of the history of science in Iceland with emphasis on astronomy.

Astrophysics
Gunnlaugur Björnsson

• Accretion discs.
  Cooperation with M. Abramowicz, Gothenburg, and I. Novikov, Copenhagen.
• Cosmology.
  Cooperation with Einar Guðmundsson, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
• The SuperDARN network.
  Collaboration with LPCE/CNRS, Dr. Jean-Paul Villain, in running the Stokkseyri radar and the University of Leicester, Dr. Chris Thomas, on the Þykkvabær radar.

Experimental semiconductor physics
Hafliði P. Gíslason

• Kristján Leósson, Baohua Yang, Djelloul Seghier, Halldór Svavarsson, Jón Pétursson:
  Properties of light metal ions in gallium arsenide and silicon.
  1. Liquid-phase-epitaxy-grown semiconductors doped with metals.
  2. Local vibrational modes of lithium-related complexes in gallium arsenide.
     Cooperation: B. Clerjaud, University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris; W. Ulrici, Paul Drude Institut, Berlin.
  3. Effects of lithium doping on the vacancy concentration of GaAs.
     Cooperation: K. Saarinen, University of Helsinki.
  4. Photoluminescence of gold- and lithium co-doped silicon. Cooperation: G. Davies, King's College, London, E.Ö. Sveinbjörnson, Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, Göteborg.
  5. Photoluminescence excitation and emission spectroscopy of Li- or Cu-doped GaAs.
• Ísak Sverrir Hauksson, Djelloul Seghier, Halldór Örn Ólafsson:
  Hole conductivity of zinc selenide.
  1. Saturation of conductivity in II-VI semiconductors.
     Cooperation B.C. Cavenett, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
  2. Effect of hydrogen on the hole conductivity of zinc selenide.

Radiation physics
Páll Theodórsson

• Radiocarbon dating and the age of settlement in Iceland.
• Systems for the measurement of weak radioactivity (Low-level counting).

Semiconductor physics
Viðar Guðmundsson

• The ground state properties and the far-infrared absorption of periodic two-dimensional electron systems in a strong magnetic field. Cooperation with Rolf R. Gerhardts and Daniela Pfannkuche at the Max-Planck Institute in Stuttgart.
• The far-infrared absorption of double layer or parallel quantum wires in magnetic field. Cooperation with Detlef Heitmann and Christoph Steinebach at the University of Hamburg.
• Raman scattering and far-infrared absorption of single quantum wires. Cooperation with Arne Brataas at the University in Trondheim, Detlef Heitmann, and Christoph Steinebach at the University of Hamburg.

Metal physics
Þorsteinn I. Sigfússon

• Ferrosilicon:
  1. The rate of the eutectoid decomposition in FeSi. MSc project by Þórdur Magnússon in cooperation with Prof. Örn Helgason, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
  2. Ferrosilicon as an unstable composite. Cooperation with Birgir Jóhannesson and Icelandic Alloys Ltd.
• Aluminium:
  1. Agglomeration of TiB grain refiner in aluminium melts. PhD project by Þröstur Guðmundsson in cooperation with Alusuisse, LSM and University of Nottingham.
  2. Dispersion of grain refiner in aluminium melts. PhD project by Einar Asbjörnsson in cooperation with Alusuisse, LSM and University of Nottingham.
  3. The role of cholorine in the agglomeration of TiB in liquid aluminium. MSc. project by Guðrún Sævarsdóttir, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
  4. The NASCAN technique for detecting sodium in liquid aluminium by optical methods.
• Technical physics:
  1. The development of LIFSMARK, a sea immersion detector for sea-safety.
  2. The development of a surface treatment process for aluminium in cooperation with Alpan Ltd.

Science history: Science, sagas and vikings
Þorsteinn Vilhjálmsson

• Science, Vikings and Sagas: A study of natural science and related knowledge in Old Norse society.
• Introduction of modernity in science and technology in Iceland. Cooperation Steindór J. Erlingsson, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
• Dictionary of physics and related topics. Þorsteinn Vilhjálmsson and Viðar Guðmundsson, editors. It was published in 1996.

Mössbauer measurements
Örn Helgason

• Oxidation and precipitation in tin-doped magnetite, maghemite and hematite near the Curie temperature.
  Cooperation: F. Berry, The Open University, England; S. Mörup, Danmarks Tekniske Höjskole.
• Phase transitions in silicon carbide and the determination of the Debye temperature of the phases.
  Cooperation: Þorsteinn I. Sigfússon, Þórður Magnússon, Science Institute, Reykjavik.
• Redistribution of iron among mineral phases during geothermal alteration of basalt.
  Cooperation: N. Óskarsson, Nordic Volcanological Institute, Iceland.