Alexei KUZMIN

Dr. phys. Alexei KUZMIN Leading Researcher Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia Kengaraga iela 8 Riga, LV 1063 Latvia Phone: +371 67251691 Fax: +371 67132778 E-mail: a.kuzmin@cfi.lu.lv

Born: August 12, 1968, Riga, Latvia

Languages: Russian, Latvian, English, Italian

Interests:

• X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (EXAFS, XANES) using Synchrotron Radiation
• Confocal Spectromicroscopy
• Computer Simulations (Molecular Dynamics, Reverse Monte Carlo, Ab initio Calculations)
• Physics of Oxide Materials (Thin Films, Nanoparticles, Nanowires, Solid Solutions, Glasses, etc.)

Brief Description of Main Research: My current research interests are concerned with a development of new methods for the analysis of X-ray absorption spectra using Molecular Dynamics simulations, Quantum Chemistry calculations and Reverse Monte Carlo technique. I am the author of the original x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data analysis software package "EDA" and the original approximated method for performing the MS calculations of XAFS. In 2002 I have designed and constructed a high-performance computing cluster LASC, at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. The LASC cluster is currently used for parallel quantum chemical calculations and simulations of x-ray absorption spectra of nanoparticles, molecules and crystals. My scientific interests in the fields of physics and materials science are concerned with oxide compounds containing transition metal and rare-earth ions (crystals, nanomaterials, amorphous and crystalline thin films, glasses, solutions). Currently, I participate in the national and international research projects on multifunctional materials for smart windows, solar cells, transparent conducting coatings, sensors, phosphours and photocatalysts. The complex investigations of physical and chemical properties of above mentioned materials require the use of different experimental and theoretical techniques. In particular, I have expertise in conducting studies using synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), confocal spectromicroscopy (Raman and luminescence), atomic force microscopy, optical absorption/luminescence spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction.

Education

• University of Latvia (Faculty of Physics), cum laude, 1990
• Dr.phys. (Ph.D.), Thesis: Study of 4d and 5d Transition Metals Oxide Compounds by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy IXAS, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, 1992
• Higher European Research Course for Users of Large Experimental Systems "HERCULES-1993" in the field of Neutrons and Synchrotron Radiation for Condensed Matter Studies (Option: Physics and Chemistry of Solids), ESRF, Grenoble, France, 1993

Experience

Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia:

• Engineer, 1986-1989
• Junior Researcher (1990-1993), Researcher (1993-2001), Leading Researcher (2001-present) Department of Semiconductor Materials

Research abroad (Visiting scientist):

• Visiting Scientist, Physics Dept., University of Trento, Italy (1991-1992)
• Visiting Scientist, Physics Dept., Rostock University, Germany (1992)
• Visiting Scientist, INFN, LNF, Frascati, Italy (1992)
• Visiting Scientist, CNR-ITC, CeFSA, Trento, Italy (1993-2010)
• "Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei" Fellowship at the University of Trento, Italy (1993)
• NATO Guest Fellowship, CNR-ITC, CeFSA, Trento, Italy (1995)
• Visiting Scientist, JINR, Dubna, Russia (1999)
• Visiting Scientist, GPEC, University of Marseille (Aix-Marseille II), EGIDE Fellowship (2001-2006)

Honours and Awards

• Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2005
• Academia Europaea Baltic Prize for the work "X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Transition Metals Oxide Compounds and Related Materials", 1996.

Professional Activities and Memberships

• Member, Latvian Synchrotron Radiation Society (1997-present)
• Member, International XAFS (X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) Society (1994-present)
• Member of the Programme Advisory Committee for Condensed Matter Physics at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia) (2011-present)

Recent/Representative Publications

I am author and co-author of more than 200 papers. My Hirsch index (Web of Science) is h=25.

• A. Kuzmin, A. Kalinko and R. A. Evarestov, Ab initio LCAO study of the atomic, electronic and magnetic structures and the lattice dynamics of triclinic CuWO₄, Acta Mater. 61 (2013) 371-378.
• A. Kuzmin, A. Anspoks, A. Kalinko, J. Timoshenko, R. Kalendarev, X-ray absorption spectroscopy of Cu-doped WO₃ films for use in electrochemical metallization cell memory, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 401 (2014) 87-91.
• J. Timoshenko, A. Anspoks, A. Kalinko, A. Kuzmin, Temperature dependence of the local structure and lattice dynamics of wurtzite-type ZnO, Acta Mater. 79 (2014) 194-202.
• A. Kuzmin and J. Chaboy, EXAFS and XANES analysis of oxides at the nanoscale, IUCrJ 1 (2014) 571-589.
• A. Kuzmin, A. Anspoks, A. Kalinko, J. Timoshenko, R. Kalendarev, External pressure and composition effects on the atomic and electronic structure of SnWO₄, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 143 (2015) 627-634.
  
• J. Purans, P. Fornasini, S. E. Ali, G. Dalba, A. Kuzmin, F. Rocca, X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of local dynamics and thermal expansion in ReO₃, Phys. Rev. B 92 (2015) 014302:1-12.
• A. Kuzmin, A. Anspoks, A. Kalinko, J. Timoshenko, The use of x-ray absorption spectra for validation of classical force-field models, Z. Phys. Chem. 230 (2016) 537-549.
• I. Jonane, K. Lazdins, J. Timoshenko, A. Kuzmin, J. Purans, P. Vladimirov, T. Gräning, J. Hoffmann, Temperature-dependent EXAFS study of the local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y₂O₃, J. Synchrotron Rad. 23 (2016) 510-518.
• P. Gamaletsos, A. Godelitsas, T. Kasama, A. Kuzmin, M. Lagos, T. J. Mertzimekis, J. Göttlicher, R. Steininger, S. Xanthos, Y. Pontikes, G. N. Angelopoulos, C. Zarkadas, A. Komelkov, E. Tzamos, A. Filippidis, The role of nano-perovskite in the negligible thorium release in seawater from Greek bauxite residue (red mud), Sci. Rep. 6 (2016) 21737.
  
• S. Piskunov, P. A. Žguns, D. Bocharov, A. Kuzmin, J. Purans, A. Kalinko, R. A. Evarestov, S. E. Ali, F. Rocca, Interpretation of unexpected behavior of infrared absorption spectra of ScF₃ beyond the quasiharmonic approximation, Phys. Rev. B 93 (2016) 214101:1-9.
• I. Jonane, J. Timoshenko, A. Kuzmin, Atomistic simulations of the Fe K-edge EXAFS in FeF₃ using molecular dynamics and reverse Monte Carlo methods, Phys. Scr. 91 (2016) 104001 (6pp).

Research Projects

• Head of the Latvian Government Grant (2005-2008) "Advanced Spectroscopic Approach to the Study of Nanomaterials Structure".
• "Advanced Functional Materials for Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics, Photonics, Biomedicine and Composite Materials, and related Technology Development", Latvian National Research Programme in Materials Science (2005-2009) (Coordinator: M.Springis, Responsible: A. Kuzmin).
• Head of the Latvian Government Grant (2009) "Study of Local Dynamics and Structure in Nano-Oxide Materials".
• Participating in MNT ERA-NET Matera Project "Functional materials for resistive switching memories" (FMRSM), (2009-2012) (Head: R. Dittmann, Responsible: J. Purans ).
• Participating in the Latvian Government Grant "Structure of nano-oxide materials and self-organization in stochastic media" (2010-2012) (Head: J. Purans).
• Principal Investigator in the ESF project (2009-2012) "Nanomaterials for perspective energy effective solutions" (No. 2009/0202/1DP/1.1.1.2.0/09/APIA/VIAA/141).
• Participating in "Nano-structured test samples for a combined near-field and X-ray microscopy", "OSMOSE" project within the bilateral collaboration programme between France and Latvia (2012-2013) (Heads: J. Purans and D. Pailharey).
• "Development of novel multifunctional materials, signal processing and information technologies for competitive knowledge-based products" (IMIS), Project No.1: Multifunctional materials, Latvian National Research Programme in Materials Science (2010-2013) (Coordinator: M.Springis, Responsible: A. Kuzmin).
• "Local structure determination in functional materials from x-ray absorption spectra", Latvian Science Council Grant No.187/2012, 2013-2016 (Head: A. Kuzmin).
• ESF Project "Innovative materials for transparent electronics and photonics", No. 2013/0015/1DP/1.1.1.2.0/13/APIA/VIAA/010 01.10.2013-31.08.2015 (Head: A. Kuzmin).
• "Multifunctional materials and composites, photonics and nanotechnology" (IMIS2), Latvian National Research Programme in Materials Science (2014-2017) (Responsible: A.Kuzmin).

Last update: 31-08-2016