Romanian Physicist, Didactician, and University Professor
Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași (UAIC), Romania
Constantin Păpușoi (born 20 April 1931, Pașcani, Romania — deceased 30 June 2005, Iași) was one of Romania’s most influential physicists and didacticians, particularly known for his foundational work in magnetism, geomagnetism, and fine particle magnetic materials. He built a research tradition at UAIC that continues to shape physics education and materials science there. (phys.uaic.ro)
Academic Career and Leadership
Păpușoi graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at UAIC in 1954 and began his academic career as an assistant to renowned physicist Ștefan Procopiu in 1955. He rose to professor at the Chair of Electricity and Electronic Physics in 1991. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Physics (1981–1985) and of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (1985–1989). Following those roles, he was head of the Chair of Electricity and Electronic Physics until 1999. (phys.uaic.ro)
His career included multiple research stays abroad, including at the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) in geomagnetism under Émile Thellier, which decisively shaped his research direction. (phys.uaic.ro)
Scientific Contributions
Păpușoi’s scientific work was centered on magnetism and geomagnetism, especially the behavior of fine and ultrafine magnetic particles. Early in his doctoral studies, he investigated the cooling-rate dependence of remanent magnetization, results that earned recognition although publication opportunities were constrained by the political context of his time. (phys.uaic.ro)
He was among the first Romanian scientists to initiate systematic studies of nanomagnetic particles with applications in magnetic recording and materials technology, guiding a group of researchers at UAIC in this direction. (phys.uaic.ro)
Books and Scholarly Works
Păpușoi authored and co-authored multiple specialized physics books, including a notable magnetism textbook that served as a cornerstone in physics training. Many of his publications and lecture texts were widely used in Romanian university physics curricula, particularly in advanced topics in magnetic materials. (phys.uaic.ro)
His group also published several research studies on nano-magnetism, which were among the first in Romania to address this emerging field at the interface of condensed matter physics and materials science. (phys.uaic.ro)
International Cooperation and Projects
Păpușoi organized the first international conference in Romania on nanomagnetism, fostering early cross-border collaboration in a field that was rapidly gaining global importance. (phys.uaic.ro)
He also took part in multiple international research projects and research stays, particularly in geomagnetism laboratories in France and the former Soviet Union, building international networks for UAIC and its magnetic materials research group. (phys.uaic.ro)
His leadership helped launch UAIC’s Center for Applied Research in Physics and Advanced Technologies (CARPATH), recognized within Romania for excellence in scientific investigation. (phys.uaic.ro)
Educational and Institutional Impact
As dean and department head, Păpușoi championed both teaching excellence and research modernization. He organized laboratory infrastructure for magnetism and geomagnetism at international standards and guided many doctoral students and physicists whose careers continued after his retirement. (phys.uaic.ro)
His pedagogical legacy includes lectures, textbooks, and a generation of physicists who expanded UAIC’s research footprint in physics and materials science.
Legacy and Recognition
Constantin Păpușoi is remembered as:
- A pioneer of nano-magnetism research in Romania
- A leader who elevated UAIC’s physics programs
- An educator whose textbooks and courses formed the backbone of advanced physics instruction
- An architect of international research engagement in magnetism and geomagnetism (phys.uaic.ro)
Although he passed away in 2005, his influence persists in the research culture and academic structures he helped build at UAIC’s Faculty of Physics. (phys.uaic.ro)
Summary of Key Achievements
- Served as Dean and Head of Department at UAIC’s Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (1981–1999) (phys.uaic.ro)
- Conducted pioneering studies on remanent magnetization and nano-magnetic particles (phys.uaic.ro)
- Authored influential texts, particularly in magnetism theory and practice (phys.uaic.ro)
- Organized Romania’s first international nanomagnetism conference (phys.uaic.ro)
- Built international research cooperation via laboratory visits and collaborative projects (phys.uaic.ro)
Note on Clarivate Metrics and Current Records
At present, there is no publicly accessible Clarivate/Web of Science profile for a contemporary researcher named “Constantin Papusoi” at UAIC. The figure with documented academic impact and citation history is Professor Constantin Păpușoi (1931–2005), whose legacy pre-dates modern Clarivate citation indexing and therefore lacks Web of Science bibliometrics such as an h-index, most cited paper, and number of papers indexed in current databases.