Faculty of Mathematics, Physics
and Informatics
Comenius University Bratislava

Plasma Physics

Doctoral Degree Program

Field:

Physics

Form:

full time / external

Usual duration:

full time form 4 years, external form 5 years

Language of courses:

English

Program director:

prof. RNDr. Štefan Matejčík, DrSc.

Co-Guarantors:

doc. RNDr. Anna Zahoranová, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Matej Klas, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Peter Papp, PhD.
doc. RNDr. Juraj Országh, PhD.

Related study programs: master's degree programs Plasma Physics

Description of the Study Program

Graduate of the third degree of the study programme Plasma Physics masters the mathematical apparatus, theoretical and experimental physics methods that are used to solve complex problems in the field of theoretical, experimental, and applied plasma physics. The study will provide advanced knowledge on the current state in the world, especially in advanced experimental methods, mass spectrometry and electron optics, physical electronics, measurement, and design of experimental and measuring equipment, problem and experimental apparatus modelling in selected areas of charged and neutral particle collision physics, surfaces, vacuum and chemical physics, biomedical applications in plasma, but also high-temperature plasma. They will learn the principles of individual and team scientific work, scientific research, scientific formulation of problems, they will learn to present scientific results; will be able to creatively apply the acquired knowledge in practice, acquire the ability to develop own scientific discipline, find application in various fields of science, research, industry, and services in the public and private sector. Graduate will be able to work scientifically and bring solutions to complex problems in the field of theoretical and experimental and applied plasma physics:

  • can lead smaller teams of scientific, research and development employees and take responsibility for complex solutions to scientific and research problems,
  • formulate projects, submit them to grant agencies,
  • will be able to follow the latest scientific and research trends in their field and update their knowledge through lifelong learning,
  • will be able to present, defend and publish the results obtained through solving scientific problems,
  • learn the principles of management, to design an experiment within a given time schedule, lead and direct the work team,
  • is able to apply legal, social, ethical, economic as well as environmental aspects of their profession.

What to Expect

To fulfil the objectives of the study, the study programme is composed of theoretical-methodological subjects and subjects leading to independent scientific work, the ability to formulate and solve scientific hypotheses, and improving the ability to present their results in national and international scientific forums. In the first year of study, emphasis is placed on advanced knowledge of basic subjects in the field of plasma physics, which are supplemented by subjects focused on the topic of a specific dissertation. Doctoral student has a choice of subjects covering a wide range of topics. At the same time, they work on a dissertation topic at the level of research and processing of the current state of the issue related to the topic of the work.

In the second year, the doctoral student continues to study foreign literature, thus increasing their professional and linguistic proficiency, supplementing their knowledge in one of the compulsory elective and elective subjects related to the topic of the dissertation thesis and elaborating the dissertation methodology into the Written dissertation exam. Its defence takes place together with an exam from Plasma Physics and Electrical Discharges. In the first two years of study, the doctoral student prepares for public speaking, communication on scientific topics and the transfer of scientific knowledge by participating in the pedagogical process. In the third and fourth year, the doctoral student's activities are focused mainly on the topic of the dissertation and presenting the achieved results of scientific research in written and oral form at international and national scientific forums. The capacity of scientific work, selection of methodological procedures, verification of new methodologies is increased by participating in solving of scientific projects of the supervisor, or acquired own research projects (e.g. Comenius University Grant), as well as foreign and domestic study stays in scientific and scientific-pedagogical institutions. The culmination of the doctoral research during their doctoral studies is the submission and public defence of their dissertation, which documents the acquired knowledge, the ability to formulate scientific goals and fulfil them in accordance with the latest scientific knowledge and trends in the field of study.

Detailed information on the arrangement of subjects into study blocks is given below in the study plan as well as in the Course Information Sheets for individual subjects. The profile subjects of the study programme: Individual Study of Scientific and Research Resources (1) and (2), Experimental Vademecum, High Temperature Plasma, Bioapplication of Plasma, Mass and Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Automatisation of Experiments, Modern Plasma Technologies, Advanced Modelling of Molecular Systems, Department Seminar.

Graduates' Career Opportunities

Graduates of the study programme Plasma Physics:

  1. In academic sphere, as independent researchers or scientific assistants. Completion of the programme and obtaining a PhD degree enable them to further their career growth and obtain a IIa qualification, or an associate professor's habilitation.
  2. In the private sector, in technology companies focused on innovative research in plasma technologies. Especially in application research focused on microelectronics (etching, thin film deposition), plasma chemistry, medicine (plasma scalpels, sterilization and disinfection of tool surfaces), environment (detection of hazardous substances, plasma catalytic conversion of greenhouse gases), waste management (plasma jets for waste treatment), in the aerospace and construction industries in the application of protective ceramic or metallic coatings, or in the area of ​​the transnational CERN project for a sustainable energy future for mankind. Thanks to the profiled analytical thinking, our graduates are in demand in management and leadership positions in other fields as well.

During the doctoral study, the student is an important part of the scientific team, which solves several, often complex scientific problems and tasks. The student is often responsible for managing and solving some sub-tasks that require them to be able to organize teamwork (bachelors and master students) and to communicate appropriately with team members as well as with foreign partners. These acquired soft skills will ensure them a better offer and higher positions on the labour market in Slovakia and abroad.

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

  • Microdisharges generated at supercritical fluid
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Matej Klas, PhD.)
  • The study of interaction of low-temperature plasma components with biological material
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Veronika Medvecká, PhD.)
  • The reduction of harmful substances in agricultural and food products by atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Veronika Medvecká, PhD.) 
  • Monitoring of chemical polution in environment using the methods based on IMS and IMS/MS spektrometry
    (supervisor: prof. Dr. Štefan Matejčík, DrSc.)
  • Monitoring of processes initiated by the atmospheric discharges using the methods of IMS and IMS/MS spektrometry
    (supervisor: prof. Dr. Štefan Matejčík, DrSc.) 
  • Inelastic electron interactions with molecules studied using cross beams techniques
    (supervisor: prof. Dr. Štefan Matejčík, DrSc.) 
  • Modeling of electron-induced processes in molecules and clusters with standard methods of quantum chemistry
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Peter Papp, PhD.)
  • Ionization processes of molecules and molecular clusters representing environmental risk
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Peter Papp, PhD.)
  • Optical spectroscopy of phase interfaces
    (supervisor: doc. Mgr. Peter Čermák, PhD.)
  • Study of excitation processes in molecules induced by electron impact
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Juraj Országh, PhD.) 
  • Excitation-emission maps of compounds relevant in astrophysics
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Juraj Országh, PhD.)
  • Diagnostics of corona discharge by ion mobility and mass spectrometry (supervisor: RNDr. Ladislav Moravský, PhD.)
  • Study of interaction mechanisms of low-temperature plasma with surface of biological objects
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Anna Zahoranová, PhD.) 
  • Comparison of the effect of low-temperature plasma generated by different plasma sources on polymer substrates and investigation of interaction mechanisms
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Anna Zahoranová, PhD.) 
  • Upscaling cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) systems for agrifood decontamination
    (supervisor: prof. RNDr. Zdenko Machala, DrSc.)
  • Use of cold plasma and photocatalytic effect in indoor air decontamination
    (supervisor: prof. RNDr. Zdenko Machala, DrSc.)
  • Chemical kinetic model of pulsed discharges
    (supervisor: doc. RNDr. Mário Janda, PhD.)