Dr. habil. phys. Juris Purans

Dr. habil. phys. Juris Purans is a Full Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and Head of the Thin Films Laboratory at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. He received his habilitation in 1993 for pioneering research on high-temperature superconductors, including early EXAFS studies of BaPb₁₋ₓBiₓO₃ and synchrotron-based XAFS spectroscopy of transition-metal oxides.

In 1993, he established the EXAFS laboratory at the Institute of Solid State Physics, creating an internationally recognised research school in synchrotron radiation spectroscopy. He has served as visiting professor at universities in France, Italy, Switzerland and Russia, and performed experiments at major synchrotron radiation facilities including ADONE/DAFNE, SOLEIL, ELETTRA, HASYLAB and ALBA.

In 2017, he founded the Thin Films Laboratory, focusing on deposition of functional thin films and nanocoatings using HIPIMS, MOCVD and PLD technologies for “Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings". His research applies EXAFS, Raman and EPR spectroscopies to transparent conducting, electrochromic, thermochromic, ferroelectric and superconducting oxides. He has authored more than 300 WoS scientific publications (h=40).

Prof. Juris Purans developed EXAFS methods with femtometer-scale structural sensitivity, nanoscale lateral resolution and experiments up to 200 GPa pressure. His awards include the Edgars Silins Prize (2010), Latvian Academy of Sciences awards (2013–2024), Riga City Council Award (2019), the Fibonacci Prize, and the Great Medal of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.