The "Alonso de Santa Cruz "Institute of Physics 1940-1965

With the dissolution of the Board for the Extension of Studies (JAE) and the creation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) by the Law of November 24^th, 1939, the National Institute of Physics and Chemistry was reorganized by the newly created Board of Trustees "Alfonso the Wise" (Regulation of February 10^th, 1940) as two Institutes:

The “Alonso de Santa Cruz” Institute of Physics.

The “Alonso Barba” Institute of Chemistry.

Both institutes had the same leadership: the Director Dr. José Casares Gil, Deputy Director Dr. Julio Palacios Martínez, Secretary Dr. José María Otero Navascués.

The “Alonso de Santa Cruz” Institute of Physics initially had two sections:

1. The Section of Optics and Spectroscopy whose head was Dr. José Mª Otero Navascués

2. The Section of X-Rays whose head was Dr. Julio Palacios Martínez; He was the creator of a school of diffraction of X-rays and electrons, which was continued by Dr. Manuel Abbad, Dr. Luis Rivoir, etc.

Later on, it was expanded to five sections: 1. Optics and Spectroscopy – 2. Inorganic Crystal Structures – 3. Electricity and Semiconductors – 4. Determination and Organic Structures – 5. Magnetism.

Among other researchers, some notable scientists carried out their investigations at The Alonso de Santa Cruz Institute of Physics, namely:

• Dr. Salvador Velayos in the Section of Magnetism, his works were decisive for the development of Magnetism in Spain.
• Dr. José Balta Elías, responsible for the Semiconductor Section.
• In the Spectroscopy Section, Dr. Jesús Morcillo, Dr. José Herranz, Dr. José M. Orza, successors of Dr. Miguel A. Catalán.

In 1946, a new Optics Institute bearing the name "Daza de Valdés" (Decree of February 22^nd, 1946) was created from the Optics Section of the Alonso de Santa Cruz Institute of Physics. On April 17^th, 1950, the new building for the Optics Institute was inaugurated on 121 Serrano St., next to the Rockefeller Building.

In 1965, this Institute merged with the Institute "L. Torres Quevedo" and the National Institute of Electronics in the "L. Torres Quevedo" Center for Research in Physics, at 144 Serrano St.