Solid State Physics Group
News

Dr. Gianluca DENINNO defended cum laude his PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Sciences (University of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "Characterization of materials through ISO-25178 morphological parameters", Supervisor: Prof. E. Vittone, N. Li Pira, Examiners: Dr. Massimo Zucco (INRiM), Prof. Regina Gumenyuk (Tampere University (Fin)), Prof. J. Forneris (UniTO)

The 3 years project "Development of a diamond-based TEMPerature qUantum sensor to evaluate the effect of RAdiation in brain cells " (TEMPURA) is selected by the he Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) for funding with a budget of 139 keuro (local coordinator Federico Picollo) .

The contribution entitled "Nanodiamonds Functionalized with Hyaluronic Acid-Phospholipids Conjugates: A Promising Platform for Cancer Cells Targeting and Tumor Treatment" presented by S. Sturari at the 34th International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials" is awarded with the ICDCM2024 Young Scholar Award.

Dr. Andrea ALESSIO defended cum laude his PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Sciences (University of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "High-brilliance X-ray techniques for oxide functionalization and characterization", Supervisor: Prof. M. Truccato, Examiners: Dr. Roberto Felici (CNR-ISM), Prof. Gloria Subias (University of Zaragoza (E), Prof. E. Vittone (UniTO)

On the occasion of the PhD thesis defense of Andrea Alessio, Prof. Marco Truccato organizes a mini-workshop entitled "Synchrotron-based material characterization and modification".

"NOQTES, misurazioni più precise grazie a tecniche quantistiche". In the issue of SCENARI, an insert in the daily newspaper IlSole24Ore titled "Guida Progetti Europei," an article was published dedicated to our research group and specifically to the recently won European project NoQTES ).

Dr. Greta ANDRINI defended cum laude her PhD thesis in Electrical, Electronic and Communication Enginering (Politecnico of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "Fabrication and characterisation of telecom quantum emitter in silicon for quantum technology applications", Supervisor: Prof. A. Rivetti, Examiners: Prof. Maria Dolores Ynsa,(Autonomous University of Madrid), Dr John Hadden (Cardiff University).

Dr. Adam BRITEL successfully defended his PhD thesis in Physics (University of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "Interplay between 3D-printed microfluidic sensors and diamond graphitization techniques", Supervisor: Prof. F. Picollo, Examiners: Dr. Shane Eaton (IFN CNR), Prof. Stefano Stassi (Politecnico di Torino), Dr. Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij (UniTO)

The 1-year project "Smart diamONd chIp for neurosCience " (SONIC) is selected for funding by the MIUR. The project is supported within the PNRR - MNESYS program with a planned budget of 260 keuro (PI: Valentina Carabelli, co-PI: Federico Picollo).

The 1-year project "new Diamond based multiaRrays for studying nEuronal homeostAsis and behavioural iMpairmEnts in autism spectrum Disorders" (DREAMED) is selected for funding by the MIUR. The project is supported within the PNRR - MNESYS program with a planned budget of 200 keuro (PI: Federico Picollo, co-PI: Valentina Carabelli).

Dr. Emilio CORTE successfully defended her PhD thesis in Physics (University of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "Fabrication and characterisation of luminescent point defects in solid-state platforms by keV ion implantation", Supervisor: Prof. J. Forneris: Examiners: Prof. Marco Govoni (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), Dr. Michael Trupke (Inst. for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information), Prof. Ettore VIttone (UniTO)

Our research group organizes the "Prospects and challenges of nanomaterial application in the BIO-MEDical field" (nBIO-MED) NIS Colloquium, held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The workshop includes a broad spectrum of contributions on the application of nanoscale-materials in the fields of biosensing and medical physics.

Dr. Veronica VARZI defended cum laude her PhD thesis in Physics (University of Torino) XXXVI Cycle, entitled "Development of nanodiamonds as radiosensitizing physical agents for brain tumor treatment", Supervisor: Prof. F. Picollo, co-Supervisor: Dr. S. Pazzaglia (ENEA), Examiners: Prof. Martin Falk (Heidelberg Universtity - Czech Academy of Sciences), Dr. Andrea Candini (CNR-ISOF), Prof. Marco Truccato (UniTO)

Prof. Alessandro Re is the speaker of the seminar "Come puo' un acceleratore di particelle dirci da dove proviene la magica pietra blu?" as part of the educational program "Pillole di Scienza" organized by the "Associazione H-Demi@".

The 3-years projects "Normating colour-centre-based quantum sensing technology towards industrial application and standards" (NoQTeS) is selected for funding by the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The project is supported within the "Normative" scheme of the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) with a planned budget of 1.2 M€ (local coordinator: Federico Picollo).

The 2-years research project "Superconduttività a Temperatura e Pressione Ambiente " (SaTePA) is selected for funding by the CRT foundation, under the the coordination of Marco Truccato The project also relies on a contribution by the Italian National Metrological Institute (INRiM) and on the use of the ion implanter at the Physics Dept. of UniTo.

The 2 years project "Au-functionalized nanodiamonds as simultaneous ROS quantum sensors and Radiosensitizing Agents" (AURORA) coordinated by Pietro Apra' is selected for funding in the framework of the "INFN - Young Researchers Grant" scheme, with a budget of 136 keuro.

The 2-years research project "Opto-mechanical effects in spin-defects for quantum technologies" is funded by the Italian Ministry for University and Research in the framework of the PRIN 2022 PNRR call. The project will involve the work of the University of Torino (local coordinator: Jacopo Forneris), and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (PI: Marco Govoni) with a total budget of 230 keuro.

Our group is involved in the organization of "Arte e' Scienza: Una, nessuna, centomila: le discipline dell'archeometria". During the round table, at the Egyptian Museum on November 24th, h. 17.30, the figure of Debora Angelici, our unforgettable colleague devoted to cultural heritage studies, will be celebrated

On the 29th and 30th of September, our group participated in the activities organized by the University in the framework of the European Researchers' Night. Thanks to talks and stand demonstrations, the general public was able to discover how physical techniques can be used to study ancient and artistic materials from our Cultural Heritage.

Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the "Quantum2023" conference ("From Foundations of Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology & Sensing"), held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The conference includes a broad spectrum of contributions on diamond-based quantum technologies from internationally recognized speakers.

Our research group is the national contact point (local coordinator: F. Picollo) in the coordinated research project F11024 "In Vitro Real-Time Monitoring of Cellular Activity During Ionizing Radiation Exposure" supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The international project involves 11 countries and aims at developing novel accelerator-based techniques for sub-cellular imaging and biological cell irradiation techniques in order to advance knowledge and capabilities in understanding how biological cells respond to radiation towards more efficient and tailored particle therapy.

Dr. Luisa VIGORELLI successfully defended her PhD thesis in Metrology (Politecnico di Torino) XXXV Cycle, entitled "Dimensional measurements with X-ray Computed Tomography and application to Cultural Heritage", Supervisor: Prof. A. Re, co-Supervisor: Prof. Sabrina Grassini, Examiners: Prof. Guido Perrone (PoliTo), Prof. Daniela Di Martino (Milano-Bicocca University), Prof. Roberto Sacchi (UniTo), Prof. Carlo Trigona (Catania University), Prof. Jean-Marc Tulliani (PoliTo)

Dr. Leandro SOTTILI successfully defended his PhD thesis in Technology Driven Sciences: Technologies for Cultural Heritage (T4C), XXXV Cycle, entitled "Design and development of a benchtop X-Ray based instrument and its heritage science applications" Supervisor: Prof. Alessandro Re Examiners: Prof. Roberto Giustetto (UniTo), Prof. Anna Galli (Milano-Bicocca University), Prof. Luciano Ramello (Piemonte Orientale University)

It is with great sorrow and infinite sadness that we have to announce Dr. Debora Angelici's untimely passing. Debora was a conservation scientist who provided a great contribution to our group during the past years of activity, working for the research development and diffusion of archaeometry and diagnostics of Cultural Heritage materials. She has been actively engaged in the organization of congresses and seminars, such as the X AIAr National Congress held in Torino in 2018, and was co-founder of TecnArt s.r.l., a spin-off of University of Torino specifically dedicated to the scientific study of Cultural Heritage. Her colleagues, but also friends, remember her as tireless and pragmatic, always precise and fully involved in her work, looking for new ways to find solutions and to get answers and results, but also inclined to a joke or a laugh to lighten the hard commitments. She will leave a great and unfillable void. The whole Solid State Physics group cling together with the family and little Tommaso, who will always find in our work the memory of Debora's strength and warm smile

Our research group is organizing the NIS colloquium ITACA
Ion-beam Techniques Applied to Cultural heritage and Advanced materials which will be held at the Physics Department of the University of Torino. The workshop includes a broad spectrum of contributions on application of ion beams techniques from internationally recognized speakers.

Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the INFN-CSN4&CSN5 Workshop on Quantum Technologies, held at the "ToExpo" premises of the University of Torino. The workshop aims at facilitating the synergies and collaboration between experimental and theoretical researchers on quantum science and technology.

Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the NIS Colloquium "Electron spin for quantum technologies: from molecules to devices" organized within the NIS inter-departmental centre. The workshop will bring together national and international researchers working on spin-based quantum technologies, from different perspectives ranging from chemistry to physics and materials science.

Our group is accepted as a partner of the 4-year coordinated research project “Sub-cellular imaging and irradiation using accelerator-based techniques” (SCRP F11024 ) organized by International Atomic Energy Agencyis. The project involves 11 member states and aims to develop novel accelerator-based techniques for sub-cellular imaging and biological cell irradiation techniques.

The 1-year research project "Sensors Produced Across an International Network" (SPAIN) is selected for funding by the Universtity of Torino within the framework of "Grant for Internationalization", under the the coordination of Federico Picollo. The project is in collaboration with Prof. Maria Dolores Ynsa of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Paolo Olivero delivers with Dr. Marco Genovese the seminar "Quantum information and quantum entanglement" at the Academy of Sciences of Torino, in the framework of the "Where is Science heading to?".

Sofia Sturari thesis entitled "Controlled hydrogenation and oxidation of nanodiamonds: study of the interaction with water" has been assessed as the best Material Science master thesis for the academic year 2019-2020 and Sofia has been awarded the silver medal of the University of Torino.

On 4th November 2022 the event "Un Pomeriggio Brillante" took place. The donors who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign "Fai Brillare la Ricerca" were involved by our research group in the presentation of our activities and in an interactive visit to the laboratories. Besides the rewarding purpose of the event, it has been a great pleasure to open our research to the external world.

BeArchaeo Project: Inauguration of the exposition in Izumo (Japan). Ribbon Cutting Cerimony (Prof Baricco for the BeArchaeo project), the delegation of the Solid State Physics Group of UniTo at the inauguration (A. Lo Giudice , A. Re and M. Margalini).

On 4 October 2022, Dr. Fabio SCAFFIDI MUTA successfully defended his PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Science, XXXIV Cycle, entitled "Use of polarized light for the assessment of new generation display" Supervisor: Prof. Ettore Vittone, co-Supervisor: Dr. Nello Li Pira (CRF)

Marta Magalini has been awarded at the 18th International Conference on Nuclear Microprobe Technology and Applications (ICNMTA 2022) in Ljubljana (Slovenia) for the presentation of the poster entitled "Micro-PIXE analysis for the provenance investigation of ancient pottery from Locri Epizephiri (Italy)"

The "Best Non-Commercial Oral Presentation" Award at the 6th Dimensional X-ray Tomography Conference (dXCT2022) held at the Manchester University (UK), 13-16 June 2022 has been attributed to Luisa Vigorelli for her contribution entitled "X-ray CT analysis and 3D replica of historical wind instruments: dimensional measurements and reproducibility assessment".

On 1st June 2022, Dr. Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij joined the Physics Department as fixed-term contract researcher (Ricercatore a tempo determinato di tipo A).

On 25 May 2022, Dr. Pietro APRA' successfully defended his PhD thesis in Physics XXXIV Cycle, entitled "Tailoring the optical, structural and surface properties of artificial diamond for biomedical applications" Supervisor: Prof. Ettore Vittone, co-Supervisor: Dr. Federico Picollo

Members of our research group (Pietro Aprà and Federico Picollo) erve as guest editor for the special issue of Biosensors journal (IF 5.5) entitled: "Diamond Technology for Biosensing and Quantum Sensing". This special issue aims to collect state-of-the-art contributions regarding the use of diamonds in the bio-sensing and in quantum technology fields. The deadline for the contribution submission is 28/02/2023: please contact the guest editors for further information.

Our research group actively collaborates to the organization of the online workshop "Quantum Lectures 2022 (ad memoriam or Carlo Novero)" organized by the Quantum Optics research group of the National Institute of Metrologic Research. The workshop will consist of a short series of keynote lectures given by distinguished researchers in the Quantum Foundations, Information and Metrology & Sensing fields.

In the framework of the "World Quantum Day" and the "Italian Quantum Weeks" initatives, our group co-organizes a "Quantum Night" in Torino. The vent will take place at RKH Studio (via Carlo Allioni 3, Torino) from 8:00pm, and it will include a divulgative scientific talk with Paolo Olivero, refreshments and a DJ set. The attendance is limited: please book at this link.

The "Fai Brillare la Ricerca" ("Make Research Shine") project is successfully funded within the "Funds TOgether" crowdfunding program of the University of Torino (promoters: P. Aprà and F. Picollo), with a budget of 15'820 € (i.e. 316% of the original request).

The 2 years project "advanced ion iRradiatiOn strategies for the engineering of qUantum-liGht Emitters in solid-state" (ROUGE) coordinated by Sviatoslav Ditalia Tchernij is selected for funding in the framework of the "INFN - Young Researchers Grant" scheme, with a budget of 125 k€.

The 1-year pilot experiment “GeVIonQ - GeV color centers by Ion implantation for Quantum applications”, co-proposed by Damiano Giubertoni (Fondazione Bruno Kessler) and Jacopo Forneris has been selected by the Q@TN Center, Quantum Science and Technology Center in Trento. The experiment will involve a partnership between researchers at the University of Torino, INFN Torino and the Fondazione Bruno Kessler.

Members of our group contributed to the success of the event "Arte e(') Scienza 2021", organized by AIAr (Associazione Italiana di Archeometria) and held at Centro Conservazione e Restauro "La Venaria Reale". Over 50 participants had the possibility to visit the restoration and scientific laboratories of the CCR, where the conservation scientists shared their expertise on scientific methods applied to the study, conservation and valorization of Cultural Heritage.

The 2-years projects
1) “Deterministic fabrication of Fock state sources” coordinated by Jacopo Forneris with a budget of 100 k€,
2) "High-flux density X-ray technologies" coordinated by Marco Truccato with a budget of 58 k€,
have been selected for funding by the University of Torino, in the framework of the call "Finanziamento ex-post di progetti di ricerca di Ateneo - Anno 2020" , supported by the "Compagnia di San Paolo" foundation.

Our "Fai Brillare la Ricerca" ("Make Research Shine") project is selected within the "Funds TOgether" crowdfunding program of the University of Torino. For more information on the project and how to support it with a donation, please see this video and visit this link.

Our group contributes to Festival della Scienza 2021 with the event "Una TAC per mappare le opere d'arte". Alessandro Re and Laura Guidorzi, together with colleagues Alessandra Patera (INFN) and Chiara Ricci (CCR "La Venaria Reale"), will present an overview of the applications of Computed Tomography (CT) to cultural heritage, from the state of the art to future perspectives."

On 30 March 2021, Dr. Laura GUIDORZI successfully defended her PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Science XXXIII Cycle, entitled
"Physico-chemical characterization of diopside in lapis lazuli: a study from luminescence activators and quenchers to material provenance investigations"
Supervisor: Prof. Alessandro Lo Giudice, co-Supervisor: Dr. Alessandro Re

On 17 March 2021, Dr. Simone BALESTRA has successfully defended his PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Science XXXIII Cycle, entitled
"Study of the mechanical acoustic properties of brake pads"
Supervisor: Prof. Ettore Vittone, co-Supervisor: Dr. Agusti Sin (ITT)

• Tengis Saran: LA STORIA DEGLI IMPERI PASSATI NELLA LUCE IMPRIGIONATA DAI MINERALI
• Giusi Sorrentino: LA SUPERFICIE DEGLI UTENSILI DI PIETRA RIVELA LA LUNGA STRADA VERSO… LA PIZZA!
• Leandro Sottili: NELLA TRAMA DI UN DIPINTO CON I RAGGI X PER SVELARNE IL PASSATO. E FORSE ANCHE IL FUTURO!
• Abraham Zerai Gebremariam: QUANDO I FRAMMENTI SI RACCONTANO: LE BIOGRAFIE MILLENARIE DELLE CERAMICHE DI ADULIS

On 15 February 2019, Dr. Valentina BONINO has successfully defended his PhD thesis in Chemical and Material Science on Physics XXXI Cycle, entitled
"Effects of the interaction between electromagnetic field, superconducting and oxide materials"
Supervisor: Dr. Marco Truccato

On 16 January 2019, Dr. Sviatoslav DITALIA has successfully defended his PhD thesis in Phyiscs on Physics XXXI Cycle, entitled
"Use of energetic ion beams for the engineering and control of quantum-optical emitters and sensors in artificial diamond"
Supervisor: Prof. Paolo Olivero, co-Supervisor: Dr. Jacopo Forneris

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Solid State Physics Group

03 December 2018 The article "Single-photon emitters in lead-implanted single-crystal diamond" by S. Ditalia Tchernij et al. is reported on the cover of vol. 5 no. 12 of the journal "ACS Photonics".

3 December 2018

The research on x-ray lithography conducted by Marco Truccato on the Rai program "Leonardo".

26 October 2018

Research on elastic metamaterials presented by Federico Bosia on the Raiscuola program "Memex: Galieo"

17 October 2018

An ANSA interview with Marco Truccato on a new lithography technique for a new generation of 3D printers

1-5 October 2018

22 June 2018

The award of the best oral communication "PhD Student" and "post-doc" at the "XVIIIth International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry", 19-22 giugno 2018, Brest (Francia) has been attributed to Laura Guidorzi for her contribution entitled "Combined IonoLuminescence and PIXE micro-analyses of natural diopside for activators and quenchers identification"

23 February 2018

The communication "Diamond-based multi-electrode arrays for monitoring dopaminergic neurons activity" (G. Tomagra, A. Battiato, E. Bernardi, E. Carbone, P. Olivero, A. Pasquarelli, V. Carabelli, F. Picollo) is awarded as the best oral presentation at the 4th National Congress on Sensors (21-23 February 2018, Catania).

20 February 2018 On 20 February 2018, Dr. Federico Beccaria has successfully defended his PhD thesis on Chemical and Material Sciences XXX Cycle, entitled "Chemical Vapour Deposition on Graphene on Cobalt Thin Film" Supervisor: Prof. Ettore Vittone co-Supervisor: Dr. Giampiero Amato Examiners: Prof. Fabrizio Giorgis (PoliTo), Prof. Antonio Di Bartolomeo (PoliTo).

14-17 February 2018

9 January 2018

The 3-years projects "Beyond Classical Optical Metrology" (BeCOMe) and " Single‐photon sources as new quantum standards" (SIQUST) are selected for funding with planned budgets of respectively 1.7 M€ and 1.8 M€ by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). The projects are locally coordinated at UniTo by Paolo Olivero. The SIQUST project also funds the Torino Section of INFN.

2017

22 November 2017

23 October 2017 On 23 October 2017, Dr. Lucas Brely successfully defended his PhD thesis in "Complex Systems for Life Sciences" XXIX Cycle, entitled "Numerical modelling of fracture and delamination phenomena in heterogeneous and hierarchical media" Supervisor: Federico Bosia, Nicola Pugno, Michele Caselle

28 September 2017 The Ministries of Science at Torino at the G7 meeting held in Torino on 27-28 september 2017, visited the Centro Conservazione e Restauro (CCR)) “La Venaria Reale”, where the physics for cultural heritage component of the solid state physics group of the Physics Department of University of Turin, has contributed to design, realize and install the “Digital Radiography (DR) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) on artworks of large dimensions”. In the Photo, Alessandro Re with Valeria Fedeli, the italian minister of Education, University and Research, and GianMaria Ajani, Rector of the University of Torino and Marco Nervo of the CCR is presenting the facility.

13 September 2017 The article "Photo-physical properties of He-related color centers in diamond" is selected as an APL Editor's Pick. It was highlighted on the journal homepage the week of Sep 13 2017

28 July 2017 The 18-months project "New Micro-Radiobiology Devices for aeroSpace (MiRaDS)" starts under the coordination of Paolo Olivero with a budget of 55,000 € funded by the CRT Foundation.

14 July 2017

Opening of the Solid State Physics Laboratory CLEAN ROOM

15-17 May 2017 Pint of Science 2017 @ Torino, with a talk of Alessandro Re "Alla Scoperta di Antiche Civiltà impiegando le tecniche della Fisica Nucleare".

07-03 May 2017 The Solid State Physics Group participates to the organization of the conference "From Foundations of Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology & Sensing" (Quantum2017), which will be held at the Rectorate of the University of Torino. The purpose of Quantum2017 is to favour the exchange of ideas and discussion on last results among leading physicists working in the interconnected fields of Quantum Metrology - Sensing & Imaging, Quantum Information and Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, in particular in the framework of quantum optics.

06-07 April 2017

On 01 March 2017, Dr. Mattia Gentile has successfully defended his PhD thesis on Chemical and Material Sciences XXIX Cycle, entitled
"Metallization process development and laser annealing process control for high power silicon devices."
Supervisor: Prof. Ettore Vittone
Examiners: Prof. Andrea Irace (UniNa), Prof. Carlo Ricciardi (PoliTo).

On 20 march 2015, at the AIAr (Associazione Italiana di Archeometria) conference in Palermo, Alessandro Re was awarded of the "Salvatore Improta prize 2014" dedicated to young researchers active in Archaeometry.

Il 17 Febbraio 2015, la Dott.ssa Debora Angelici ha difeso con successo la tesi di dottorato in Scienze della Terra dal titolo
Aula Ruffini, Earth Science Department, Via Valperga Caluso 35 - Torino, Petrographic and minero-chemical characterisation of lapis lazuli: a provenance study of rocks and artefacts from Cultural Heritages
Tutor: Prof. Alessandro Borghi
Co-Tutors: Dr. Alessandro Lo Giudice - Dr. Gloria Vaggelli

Il 10 Febbraio 2015, il dott. Alessandro Pagliero ha difeso con successo la tesi di dottorato in Scienze Chimiche e dei Materiali dal titolo
"Interaction of BSCCO High Temperature Superconductor with Electromagnetic Radiation at Different Frequencies"
Supervisor: prof. Marco Truccato

Il 26 Gennaio 2015, il dott. Jacopo Corsi ha difeso con successo la tesi di dottorato in Scienze Chimiche e dei Materiali dal titolo
"Multi-technique study of coins circulating in northern Italy between 4th and 1st century B.C."
Supervisor: prof. Alessandro Lo Giudice

il 7 marzo 2013, i Dott. Jacopo Forneris e Marco Piazzi hanno difeso con successo la tesi di dottorato in Fisica dal titolo
Jacopo Forneris: "Theory and applications of the Ion Beam Induced Charge (IBIC) technique"
Marco Piazzi: "Chemical Vapour Deposition as a possible route for large-scale production of graphene ", co-relatore Dott. Giampiero Amato

il 22 Gennaio 2013, il Dott. Alfio Battiato ha difeso con successo la tesi di dottorato in Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali e dei Nanosistemi dal titolo
"Study and Characterization of Nanostructured Anti Bacterial LAyers (NABLA project)"