Faculty of Mathematics, Physics
and Informatics
Comenius University Bratislava

Physics of Condensed Matter and Acoustics

Doctoral Degree Program

Field:

Physics

Form:

full time 

Usual duration:

4 years

Language of courses:

English

Program director:

prof. Ing. Roman Martoňák, DrSc.

Co-Guarantors:

doc. RNDr. Tomáš Plecenik, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Richard Hlubina, DrSc.
doc. RNDr. Martin Moško, DrSc.
prof. RNDr. Miroslav Grajcar, DrSc.

Related study programs: master's degree programs Solid State Physics

Description of the Study Program

The graduate of the dFKA study program has a good overview of the wide range of phenomena in condensed matter physics and of the relevant theoretical, simulation and experimental techniques. At the same time, he has deep knowledge in the field of his specialization encompassing the frontiers of the current knowledge: he understands in detail the existing problems in the given area, actively masters modern methods of their solution and creatively applies them. An important part of his education is also monitoring the literature, communication with colleagues abroad, presentation of his own results and other so-called soft skills. The graduate of the FKA study program has a broad overview and at the same time is capable of a deep and accurate analysis. Moreover he is flexible because he is constantly forced to acquire new knowledge and further elaborate on it. The high level and timeliness of the scientific work in which doctoral students are involved is also proved by several recent articles published in journals listed in the Nature Index.

The graduate is ready to continue scientific research work at domestic (universities, SAS, departmental research institutes) and foreign institutions. Thanks to his broad perspective, he can also be involved in the management of science policy in the public or private spheres. In addition, the graduate can work as a leader of research teams in industries using quantum technologies, but also in other industrial areas with high added value, such as research, development, production and use of advanced materials, nanotechnology, sensors, etc.

What to Expect

The study program is a set of subjects and a set of rules compiled in such a way that successful completion of the subjects while maintaining the above rules allows the student to obtain a university degree. For each study program, a recommended study plan is set, which is compiled so that by completing it, the student meets the conditions for successful completion of studies within its standard length. The creation of the study plan is usually based on the modular (block) principle in order to enable students to continuously adjust the focus within the chosen field of study and expand the scope of study. The study plan is divided into compulsory, optional and elective subjects. The subject consists of individual independent educational activities or their combination, which are aimed at providing education in a defined area. The profile subjects of the study plan are compulsory or optional subjects and the student will acquire the knowledge and skills that are essential for the completion of the study program. The updating of study programs reflecting the development in the area is realized by selective subjects, which enable the use of short-term presence of external experts in the teaching process. The inclusion of several (selective) subjects in the programs is a response to the constructive comments of students and their interest in a particular area. When creating the study plan, the mission and goals set by the faculty in the field of science and research and in the field of education, which are stated in the Faculty's Long-Term Plan, are taken into account. The study program is prepared in accordance with the needs of practice and focuses on the employability of the graduates.

Graduates' Career Opportunities

Condensed matter physics is the basis of many key advanced technologies in today's industry (electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, etc.) and can be expected not only to maintain but further strengthen this position in the future. 3rd degree education in this field in the Slovak Republic is currently provided only by FMFI UK and UPJŠ in Košice. The presented field of study of dFKA is therefore unique and the demand for its graduates will most likely further increase in the future.

Doctoral Scholarships

Full-time doctoral students who have permanent residency in the European Union are entitled to receive a scholarship for the entire standard duration of their studies. The scholarships are paid starting on the date of enrollment. The scholarship is determined in accordance with the tables included in the Law no. 553/2003 Z.z. as follows: 

  • prior to completion of the qualification exam: 1025,50 EUR (6th class, 1st level)
  • after successful completion of the qualification exam: 1 194 EUR (7th class, 1st level)

Scholarships are not subject to taxes or other fees.

Doctoral studies are considered an equivalent to full time employment and in the majority of cases cannot be combined with another employment. Job holding applicants who intend to keep their job are advised to apply for the external (distance) form of doctoral studies. Doctoral students enrolled in the regular form are expected to participate in teaching activities such as conducting recitations or exam grading, in accordance with the needs of their corresponding departments.

Thesis Topics for Academic Year 2024/2025

  • Concept of diboride superlattices with improved fracture toughness
    (supervisor: doc. Ing. Marián Mikula, PhD.)
  • Advanced methods of X-ray structural analysis of selected types of materials
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Tomáš Roch, Dr. techn.)
  • Nanopatterned memristive metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors on flexible substrates
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Tomáš Plecenik, PhD.)
  • Superconducting parametric amplifier system with reduced ripples
    (supervisor: Mgr. Pavol Neilinger, PhD.)
  • Microwave spectroscopy of highly disordered superconductors close to SIT
    (supervisor: Mgr. Pavol Neilinger, PhD.)
  • Superconductivity in Novel Materials 
    (supervisor: Mgr. František Herman, PhD.)
  • Mapping kinetic pathways in structural phase transitions in crystals
    (supervisor: prof. Ing. Roman Martoňák, DrSc.)
  • Doped titanium dioxide-based nanostructures for photocatalytic application in renewable energetics
    (supervisor: Mgr. Leonid Satrapinskyy, PhD.)

Institute of Physics SAS:

  • The theory of gated semiconductor spin qubit devices based on silicon and germanium
    (supervisor:Dr. habil. Denis Kochan, PhD.)

Institute of Electrical Engineering SAS:

  • Study and optimization of detectors of ionizing detectors based on wide bandgap semiconductors SiC and diamond
    (supervisor: Mgr. Bohumír Zaťko, PhD.)
  • Electrical transport in thin layers of some TMDC materials
    (supervisor: RNDr. Martin Hulman, PhD.)
  • Optimization the preparation of magnetic nanostructures for magnonic applications
    (supervisor: Ing. Ján Šoltýs, PhD.)