Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FIAN)

General information

P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FIAN)

Date of joining the International Network Institute in the Field of AML/CFT: April 10, 2023 (Protocol of Accession).

The Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest and oldest research center in the Russian Federation. FIAN is the same age as the Russian Academy of Sciences, after the establishment of which physics received the full status of an independent science in Russia. It was in the first half of the XVIII century that the origins of the FIAN lie: the institute "grew" out of the Physical Cabinet of the Academy of Sciences founded by Peter I.

As a modern institute, FIAN was founded by the outstanding optical physicist S.I. Vavilov in 1934. A wide range of research topics covering almost all areas of physics has determined the current structure of the Institute, which includes six scientific departments. FIAN has branches in Troitsk, Samara, Protvino, Alma-Ata, observatories in Pushchino and the Pamirs.

Nobel laureates – FIAN employees: 1958 – Cherenkov P.A., Tamm I.E., Frank I.M. "For the discovery and interpretation of the Vavilov-Cherenkov effect"; 1964 – Basov N.G., Prokhorov A.M. "For fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the creation of generators and amplifiers based on laser-maser principle"; 1975 – Sakharov A.D. Nobel Peace Prize; 2003 – Ginzburg V.L. "For pioneering contribution to the theory of superconductors and superfluids".

The main FIAN projects in the following areas:
Optics and photonics – an ion quantum computer and a thulium atomic clock; Space Physics – the Millimetron space telescope; Solid State – the first domestic high–field tomograph; Particle physics and nuclear medicine - the Prometheus proton beam installation for cancer therapy, as well as the Groza complex at the Tien Shan High-altitude scientific Station for monitoring of geophysical phenomena.

In 2016, a Laboratory for Mathematical Modeling of Complex Systems was established at FIAN under the supervision of Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences A.V. Leonidov. Within its framework, several directions were developed, one of which in 2018 was the decision to analyze the possibilities of identifying and obtaining data on the movement of cryptocurrencies, which were useful for analysts of Rosfinmonitoring and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. At that time, it was already clear that cryptocurrencies are a serious challenge, a threat and carry risks in the field of laundering criminal funds.

As a result of the work of the Laboratory staff and Rosfinmonitoring, a prototype of the Transparent Blockchain system for analyzing and monitoring the movement of cryptocurrency assets was created. It allowed conducting AML/CFT investigations in a pilot mode for analysts of the Federal Service and law enforcement agencies. The result was high-profile criminal cases, including drug trafficking on the largest shadow platform "Hydra".

The prototype of the system has been evaluated by practical cases and is recognized as suitable and effective for work. At the moment, the "Transparent Blockchain" is being developed in order to create an analytical basis for anti-washing systems in the Eurasian region.

Another area of research in the Laboratory of Mathematical Modeling of Complex Systems was the analysis of the possibilities of using artificial intelligence methods and the development of algorithms for finding AML/CFT schemes. The scientists focused special attention on methods based on the creation of machine-readable ontologies and the use of appropriate graph databases. As a result, the Graphus platform was created. It is intended for training both employees of analytical units of financial intelligence and students enrolled in financial security programs. Today, Graphus is also successfully used during the International Olympiad on Financial Security.

FIAN attaches great importance to the education of new scientific personnel. In April 2023, at the 18th meeting of the Council of the International Network Institute, it was announced the creation of the Center for Inter-Olympic Training of Schoolchildren and Students as a new structural unit of the Lebedev Physical Institute under the leadership of Professor V.I. Glotov.