News

The journal Electro Optics has published the annual Photonics100 2026 list, celebrating the 100 most influential people shaping the future of photonics – one of the key technologies of the 21st century. This year, the list includes three representatives from Lithuania. Considering the country’s small size, this is a remarkable achievement: with just 2.8 million people, Lithuania can be seen as the most photonics-productive nation in the world per capita, surpassing much larger players such as Germany, the United Kingdom, or the United States. This recognition once again highlights the strength and visibility of Lithuania’s photonics sector on the global stage.

Three Vilnius University (VU) students – Patrikas Styra, Eglė Lenkaitytė, and Rūta Lomsargytė – have returned from an intensive internship at the laboratory of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, situated on the Swiss-French border. Over the course of several months, they immersed themselves in the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to cutting-edge scientific projects. Their work spanned advanced data analysis for the next-generation particle accelerator experiments, a virtual assistant for data analysis, and tools for experimental data quality monitoring– offering not only an incentive towards a deeper understanding of particle physics but also a chance to collaborate on global research initiatives.

The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) – a joint initiative between the EU, European countries, and private partners – has signed a €60 million contract with GÉANT – Europe’s leading collaboration platform for advanced network infrastructure and services for research and education. This project, to which Vilnius University (VU) is also contributing, aims to establish a secure, ultra-high-speed network interconnecting Europe’s major supercomputing, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing platforms. The new infrastructure is expected to accelerate advanced modelling and AI development across the continent.

On 30 September Vaida Marčiulionytė successfully defended her thesis titled “Supercontinuum Generation in Transparent Dielectrics at High Laser Repetition Rates”. Supervisor – Professor Dr habil. Audrius Dubietis.

Without quantum physics, modern physics wouldn’t be possible. However, professor Gediminas Juzeliūnas from Vilnius University (VU), a specialist in this field, jokingly admits that this area – at least for now – cannot be understood. Yes, we can predict and observe quantum phenomena, but their causes remain beyond the boundaries of our understanding. This paradox will be at the centre of discussions at the international conference "Human and More-than-human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence" taking place October 9-10, and initiated by Vilnius University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and consortium partners.

JSC "Optoman“ has established a scholarship to encourage students of the VU Faculty of Physics to pursue research in the field of photonics, particularly in areas related to the company’s activities.

Nomination and registration of candidates for the Faculty of Physics Council is taking place from 26 September 2025 until 7 November 2025 at 13:00.

On 29 September Erikas Atkočaitis successfully defended his PhD thesis “Fatigue Effect in Optical Coatings: Parametric Study of Laser Irradiation Conditions, Temporal Scaling, and Lifetime Analysis”. Supervisor – Associate Professor Dr Andrius Melninkaitis.

Decades without water, radiation, lack of oxygen – right next to us, there are tardigrades that can endure all this. Also known as “water bears” or “moss piglets”, they are the first and so far the only animals to have survived in open space. On September 18–20, the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory of Vilnius University (VU) hosted an international “Europlanet” astrobiology workshop, where students from different natural science backgrounds learned about these creatures, collected them, and studied them in the laboratory.

On 22 September, three Lithuanian universities, including Vilnius University (VU), signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to participate in the feasibility study for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project.

VU SR FPh invites you to our traditional community evening, where everyone from our faculty is invited.

On 25 September at 15:00, in the Great Physics Auditorium (Faculty of Physics, VU, Saulėtekio av. 9), famous astronomer Vicent Martinez, professor at the University of Valencia and director of the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Valencia Prof. Vicent J. Martínez will give a public lecture "What Killed the Dinosaurs? And Other Science Stories You Were Wrongly Told".

Discussing humanity’s impact on the world and its development is complex, yet necessary. This topic will be at the heart of the international conference ‘Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence’, taking place on 9–10 October and initiated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) together with Lithuanian consortium partners, including Vilnius University (VU). According to Dr Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė, a researcher at the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University and a moderator of one of the conference discussions, the very title of the event invites us to rethink our relationship with the world we inhabit.

To celebrate the European Day of Languages, the Arqus Plurilingual Hub is launching a special edition of the Arqus Café. On this occasion, the Arqus community is invited to explore new languages in a fun and engaging way. On 26 September, Arqus students and staff will have the chance to discover and explore 19 different languages. The event will feature 45-minute slots, each designed for complete beginners, so no previous knowledge is required. After just one short session, participants will be able to greet others, introduce themselves, and much more.

The Arqus Alliance invites educators to the two upcoming Arqus online workshops on Teaching Innovation. These workshops, led by experienced teachers, will focus on specific strategies, methodologies and technologies for active learning, as well as psychological approaches to improving motivation and engagement. They are intended to support Arqus teachers in promoting innovative teaching approaches to make learning more effective and engaging for students.

Arqus launches its third joint call for Blended Intensive Programmes, designed and funded by the Erasmus+ programme. Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) are intensive programmes that use innovative ways of learning and teaching, including the use of online cooperation. These programmes for students and staff must comprise a short-term physical mobility abroad combined with a compulsory virtual component, facilitating a collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork.

‘Life Sciences Baltics’ is the largest life sciences exhibition in the Baltic region that brings together representatives from academia and industry. The event, held this year on 17–18 September in Vilnius, provides an excellent platform to share expertise, learn about innovations and the latest research trends in life sciences, as well as establish connections for future initiatives. At Vilnius University (VU) booth, participants are invited to explore newest R&D solutions that have been developed at VU and, through virtual reality, experience the specifics of medical practice.

Artificial intelligence, climate change, enhancement of Lithuania’s defense, digitalization, and livable cities – these are just a few of today’s most pressing topics both in Lithuania and globally. These topics will be explored by experts from Lithuania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at a conference this autumn titled Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence. The event will be broadcast live by Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

On 15 September, representatives from Vilnius University (VU) and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) welcomed a delegation led by Prof. Robert Bing-Yu Chen, Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The meeting addressed advances in artificial intelligence research, data analysis and its applications, the rapid expansion of high technologies, and the research and development of next-generation semiconductor technologies.