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Yurii Lozovik

NOV 21, 2024
(1 November 1937 – 24 June 2024)
The theoretical physicist specialized in nanostructures, low-dimensional semiconductor systems, quantum optics, and nanophotonics.
Oleg Berman
Godfrey Gumbs
Roman Kezerashvili
Igor Lerner
Nina Voronova
Vladimir Yudson
Klaus Ziegler

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Yurii Lozovik, a distinguished theoretical physicist whose remarkable contributions have left an undeniable mark on the fields of nanostructures, low-dimensional semiconductor systems, quantum optics, and nanophotonics. Lozovik’s legacy is one of profound scientific achievement, exceptional mentorship, and unwavering dedication to advancing human knowledge.

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Photo courtesy of the authors

Lozovik served as the head of the Laboratory of Nanostructures Spectroscopy at the Institute for Spectroscopy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a professor of physics at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Technological University), and at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow. He was also the lead scientist at the N. L. Dukhov Research Institute of Automatics.

His academic journey began at the Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, where he received his PhD under the supervision of D. A. Kirzhnits in the group of Nobel laureate V. L. Ginzburg. Over the course of his illustrious career, Lozovik authored over 700 peer-reviewed publications, including 20 reviews and collective monographs on topics ranging from the electronic properties of nanostructures and low-dimensional electron systems to excitonics, plasmonics, nano-optics, photonic crystals, solid-state physics, nanotechnology, cavity quantum electrodynamics, cluster physics, ultrafast optics, graphene, topological insulators, and nanoelectromechanical systems.

Among Lozovik’s many groundbreaking contributions, he, together with his coauthors, was the first to predict the existence and the Bose–Einstein condensation of dipolar (indirect) excitons. His and his coauthors’ pioneering work on the superfluid state in systems of spatially separated electrons and holes in double layers, Josephson-type effects in non-superconducting systems, drag effects, and anomalous behavior in external magnetic fields has been widely recognized. In collaboration with his coauthors, Lozovik predicted the dynamical Lamb effect in cavity quantum electrodynamics—a photonless parametric excitation of an atom embedded in a nonstationary cavity, proposed for physical realization in superconducting circuits. He also made significant contributions to our understanding of unusual coherent optical properties, strongly correlated phases, and phase diagrams for spatially separated electron–hole systems and dipolar excitons.

Lozovik’s influence extended beyond his research. He was an esteemed member of the editorial board of Solid State Communications, a fellow member of the European Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Mediterranean Institute of Fundamental Physics.

Lozovik was a great educator and mentor, guiding over 40 PhD theses and inspiring countless students with his encyclopedic knowledge and passion for science. He was very supportive in research and career development of his PhD students even after they completed their PhDs.

We remember Yurii Lozovik as an extraordinary scientist, a generous mentor, and an exemplary member of the society with profound dedication to students and colleagues. His memory will forever be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

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