IEAP CTU

The Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics (IEAP) is a scientific-academic unit of the Czech Technical University (CTU). The Institute was founded in May 2002 as the experimental unit of the CTU for research namely on atomic and sub-atomic physics.

IEAP CTU is oriented on the Physics of the Microworld and its applications. This means that the researchers look under the surface of matters to understand the physics of matter (atomic and sub-atomic physics from experimental and theoretical point of view), to develop techniques to look under the surface (x-ray and neutron radiography, tomography or magnetic resonance) and to develop related hardware (sensors, conversion materials, readout electronics).

Research and Instrumentation at IEAP CTU

At the research level, the Institute bases its activity from the following long-term programs: Fundamental experiments in Physics of the Microworld, the ATLAS experiment at LHC at CERN, the Research Center "Material analysis and characterization by radiation", and the Research Center "Astroparticle and Astrophysics experiments". A number of projects are derived from these programs, both of fundamental and applied character.

At the instrumental level, the activity of the Institute concentrates on development of detection and spectrometric systems and methods for new technologies and applications such as 2D and 3D high-resolution imaging at the micro and nanometre scale. Thanks to advanced radiation detectors such as the pixel detector Medipix/Timepix it is possible to observe and image small amounts and tiny structures where sensitivity and contrast enhancement are achieved by the unique properties of the radiation imager in combination with advanced methods of image reconstruction and novel detection principles such as phase- and energy-sensitive imaging.

Collaboration with ESS

In BrightnESS, IEAP CTU is involved in Work Package 4, mainly in Task 4.1: The resolution challenge. IEAP CTU, together with contributors from CERN, ESS and Mid Sweden University, investigates the possibility to push neutron detector spatial resolution from currently used 1mm to below 100 microns. The ultimate objective of this research is to deliver several different types of detectors performing on this scale.

IEAP CTU is not an official ESS partner, and can therefore not contribute through In-Kind or cash contributions to ESS. Thus, BrightnESS provides a fruitful opportunity for IEAP CTU to use the University’s expertise in support of ESS.  

Birds-eye view of Prague and IEAP CTU