Prof. Wojciech Knap obtained his master and PhD degrees from Faculty of Physics – University of Warsaw Poland. In 1987 he moved to France to work as the assistant professor at the University of Montpellier, Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Toulouse Pulsed High Magnetic Field Laboratory. In 1992 he obtained a permanent position at French National Centre for Scientific Research – CNRS – Montpellier. He worked as a visiting researcher at joined USA–Japan Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY and Tohoku University Sendai Japan. His main scientific interests and activities are concentrated around far-infrared (Terahertz) properties of semiconductors and, in particular, around basic physics and applications of Terahertz plasma excitations in nanostructures.

THE SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH

Lab 1 activities are focused on terahertz plasma instability in two- and three-dimensional structures, especially in systems involving solids combined with Dirac fermions and topological insulators. The original and innovative character of the proposed research results from synergy-based explorations in recently developed areas: terahertz science, nanostructure science, topological insulators and the science of graphene-like materials (Dirac matter). Terahertz plasma instability plays a significant role when it comes to effectively detecting and generating THz radiation, and is likely to contribute to a better understanding of new materials such as Dirac matter and its natural frequencies occurring within THz frequencies.