CV

🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Physical Science, Aug 2017 – Nov 2022
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), India
Thesis: Ultrafast Photoexcited Carrier Dynamics in Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide

Master of Science (M.Sc.), Physics, July 2014 – July 2016
P.G. Department of Physics, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Physics (Hons.), 2010 – 2013
Gopabandhu Science College, Athgarh
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India

Higher Secondary Education (12th), 2008 – 2010
Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha, India

Secondary Education (10th), 2008
Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, India

⚛️ Research Experience

Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Nov 2024 – Present
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Project: Fast-ion driven instabilities in tokamak plasmas
P.I.: Dr. Neal Crocker, Dr. W. A. (Tony) Peebles

Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Oct 2022 – Nov 2024
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Projects: Plasmon-driven laser-ion acceleration at high-energy regime; Laser ablation for space propulsion
P.I.: Prof. Artur Davoyan

Graduate Student Researcher, July 2017 – Aug 2022
Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, India
Thesis: Ultrafast Photoexcited Carrier Dynamics in Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide
Supervisor: Prof. J. Jayabalan

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Project, Aug 2015 – July 2016
P.G. Department of Physics, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India
Thesis: Basic Ion Optics and Study of Different Electrostatic Lenses
Supervisor: Prof. Durga Prasad Mohapatra

🛠️ Technical Skills

Measurement Proficiency

• Transient transmission/reflection spectroscopy and global data analysis
• Microscopic and confocal pump–probe spectroscopy
• Ultrafast spin dynamics measurements
• Photoluminescence (steady-state, micro-PL, and time-resolved)
• Micro-absorbance spectroscopy
• UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Technical Expertise

• Femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed laser operation and beam handling
• Vacuum system operation and integration with optical setups
• Design and development of spectroscopic setups for plasma dynamics
• Selected Instrumentation & Systems Developed:
  • Multi-channel mm-wave Doppler Backscattering systems (V-band 4-channel and Q-band 8-channel) for turbulence and flow diagnostics in spherical tokamaks (NSTX).
  • Ultrafast pump–probe setups (transmission and reflection modes) for carrier and spin dynamics studies in semiconductors and 2D materials.
  • Micro-PL/micro-absorption and microscopic pump–probe systems for transient transmission in single-layer TMDCs.
  • Nanosecond laser ablation system (10 Hz, vacuum-based) with grating spectrometer and ICCD detection for plasma imaging and time-resolved spectroscopy.
  • Optical microscopy system for monolayer TMDC identification and precision beam alignment in pump–probe experiments.
  • Assisted in the development of a four-beam coherent spectroscopy setup.

Programming & Simulation Knowledge

• Programming: Python, MATLAB, Fortran
• Data Analysis & Visualization: OriginLab
• High-Performance Computing: Parallel computing and HPC workflows
• Modeling & Simulation: Particle-in-Cell (EPOCH), Discrete Dipole Scattering (DDSCAT), computational derivation methods
• Electromagnetic/Optical Design: COMSOL Multiphysics (Wave Optics), Ansys Lumerical FDTD, AutoCAD

Experimental Facilities & Instruments Operated

• Ultrafast and Nanosecond Lasers:
  • Vitara–Legend Elite TOPAS, Coherent (Oscillator–Amplifier–OPA, 35 fs, 1 kHz, 350–1100 nm)
  • Tsunami, Spectra-Physics (100 fs, 80 MHz, 700–1080 nm)
  • Mai-Tai HP, Spectra-Physics (85 fs, 80 MHz, 690–1040 nm)
  • EKSPLA NL300 series nanosecond laser (1064 nm, 3–6 ns, 5–20 Hz)
• Vacuum & Sample Environment: Turbomolecular pump (Agilent)
• Microscopy: Scanning Probe Microscope (Bruker Multimode 8HR)
• Electronics & Diagnostics: Oscilloscopes, Frequency Analyzer (HP 8593E), Lock-in Amplifier (Signal Recovery 7265)

👥 Mentoring

1. Hyeonjong Kim, Ph.D. Scholar, UCLA, USA (Feb – July 2024)
   Guided in particle-in-cell (EPOCH) and HPC-based simulations.

2. Joanne Junaed, Undergraduate, UCLA, USA (Aug 2023 – Apr 2024)
   Mentored in PIC (EPOCH) simulations, HPC workflows, and Python-based data analysis.

3. Swapnasagar Sahu, Ph.D. Scholar, VIT, India (Dec 2022 – Dec 2023)
   Supervised research on light–matter interaction using DDSCAT.

4. Manish Kumar, Trainee Scientific Officer, RRCAT, India (2020)
   Supervised ultrafast autocorrelation experiments.

5. Sonu Kumar, M.Sc. Candidate, RRCAT, India (2019)
   Mentored on time-resolved reflectivity with ultrashort pulses.

6. Mohit Raj, M.Sc. Candidate, RRCAT, India (2019)
   Guided in transient photoluminescence studies using optical Kerr gate.

🌐 Professional Service

Reviewer Activity: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics (8 reviews), Semiconductor Science and Technology (1 review), Nanotechnology (4 reviews)

Professional Memberships

• American Physical Society (APS), Early Career Member (ID: 62137939)
• Indian Laser Association, Life Member (ID: LM1654)

Outreach & Diversity

• Volunteer and organizer in multiple national seminars and outreach programs:
  • Ultrafast Science 2018 (RRCAT, Indore)
  • UGC-DRS National Seminars on “Recent Trends in Physics” (2016)
  • UGC-DRS National Seminar on “100 Years of General Theory of Relativity” (2015), Utkal University
  • National Science Day Celebrations (Utkal University, 2016)
  • Space Exploration and Interdisciplinary Science (Gopabandhu Science College, 2012)
• Leadership roles at RRCAT, Indore:
  • Athletics and Sports Club Secretary (2018 – 2020)
  • Library Secretary (2017 – 2019)

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
— Aristotle