The Branch was established on the basis of the Automation and Technical Physics Department at the SB RAS ISC Presidium by the order of the Director of the Institute of Laser Physics SB RAS S.N. Bagayev, based on the decision of the SB RAS Presidium.

Worldwide progress in developing laser radiation sources and in research into the interaction of laser radiation with matter gave birth to the new branch of physics which received the name laser physics. Laser physics techniques were inst-rumental in attaining record-breaking high energy flux densities, superstrong electric fields, ultrahigh pressures and powers, and ultrashort durations of energy effects which are unattainable by other methods. Under extreme conditions, new, hitherto unknown, phenomena and processes, and new properties of matter manifest themselves, the study of which is important in solving scientific and applied problems.

The Irkutsk Branch of the Institute of Laser Physics is engaged in the integral solution of scientific problems of developing and implementing laser technologies in the economy, ecology, and medicine as well as pursuing research into fundamental phenomena of light-matter interaction. The Branch consists of the Laboratory of Laser Systems and Technologies, the Laboratory of Photophysics of Condensed Media, and the Electronics Group. Specifically, they substantiated and developed the dynamic laser methods for producing artificial quantum systems in wide-zone dielectric crystals as the result of highly nonlinear photochemical processes initiated by intense femtosecond laser pulses. Our studies revealed the mechanisms and determined the parameters of longitudinal spatial selectivity of the action of coherent pairs of opposing as well as overtaking femtosecond laser radiation pulses on optical media of different symmetry. It was demonstrated that the detected influence of the interference interaction of traveling polarization wave packets induced on quantum systems of definite orientations can be used in accomplishing longitudinal selectivity of a nano-dimensional scale. The physical foundations were developed for advanced technologies of superdense multilayer data storage on optical recording media, based on the detected physical phenomena.

In addition to the methods of investigating the orientation and multipolarity of quantum systems in crystalline media as developed by S.I. Vavilov, P.P. Feofilov, and other authors, which have come to be known as the methods of polarization ratios and polarized luminescence, researchers of the Branch have substantiated, experimentally tested and implemented in laboratory installations new spatially-modulated piezo-optical methods which substantially enhance the potential of research into the orientation and type of elementary radiating elements of quantum systems interacting with radiation.

Research cooperation with Irkutsk State University is getting under way. Collaborative investigations led to the development of the automated interferometer designed for precise optical measurements in the femtosecond time range (10-13 10-15 s), based on the anisotropic medium of a controlled thickness, and the conditions were determined, under which the dispersion of pulses in the optical elements of the interferometer does not distort its readings. New optical multiplex mass spectrometers were invented. For implementing its research programs, the Branch enlists the services of highly qualified personnel from universities, doctors of science, and professors.

Fundamentally new methods of holographic subtraction of images with spatial filtering has been suggested; they provide high quality of the holographic holographic image. The thermochemical mechanism of formation of nanothick films on the surface of activated dielectric crystals was unraveled. Laser hardening of sliding surfaces of critical movable joints in machines and apparatuses used in the petrochemical sector holds much promise. Staff members of the Branch render methodological and practical assistance to the region's institutions, enterprises and organizations in the implementation of laser technologies in research, education, industries, and medicine. Research and development efforts are being underway focusing on a further development of methods of detection and identification of diamonds as well as other substances and compounds.

The theory of polarization of electromagnetic radiation generated by hot magneto-active turbulent laboratory and space plasmas is being developed in collaboration with the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics SB RAS.

The Branch, in collaboration with the Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry SB RAS, created the ever first nonlinear optical media on the basis of organic phosphorus compounds and developed a variety of acceleration techniques for chemical reactions, based on powerful pulsed optical and ultraviolet radiation sources as well as with the use of x-ray radiation.

The Laboratory of Laser Systems and Technologies of the Branch created the complex of software-controlled laser technological installations for pattern shearing of sheet materials, laser cutting, engraving, and quench hardening, as well as for other production apparatuses used in the petrochemical sector holds much promise. Staff members of the Branch render methodological and greatly improve operation stability of finished products and which was used in the manufacture of the signboards for the building of the Irkutsk Region Administration and Legislative Assembly. The vibration monitoring instruments for full-scale plants that have been developed and manufactured by the Branch, are being used in the Irkutsk aluminum smelter and the silicon plant in Shelekhov, in diamond-mining enterprises in the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia, and in the petrochemical plants in the city of Angarsk.

The Branch has a good combination of highly experienced and young professional personnel, and provides post-graduate education in three specialties: laser physics, optics, and physics of condensed state. The Branch participates in the arrangement of scientific schools, seminars, and conferences. The International School on Luminescence and Laser Physics has become a tradition; it is hosted by the Branch at Irkutsk in collaboration with Irkutsk State University, and the Institute of Geochemistry SB RAS and was pioneered by the Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Professor I.A. Parfianovich. To date it is held under the auspices of Academician S.N. Bagayev, Chairman of the Scientific Council of RAS on optics and laser physics, and Academician N.A. Borisevich, Chairman of the Scientific Council of RAS on luminescence.

Staff members of the Branch work in Dissertation Councils, are members of the Collegium of National Experts in lasers and laser technologies, are entered in the Federal Register of experts in the field of science and technology, are regularly invited to be peer-reviewers of contributions submitted to international scientific journals and to be editors of collections of scientific papers, and participate in the competition and expert councils at Irkutsk Region Administration.