Department of Physics is a premier pure and applied science department established in 1971 with Prof. J.C. Palathingal as the Head of the Department. Since its establishment, the Department has played a key role in strengthening postgraduate teaching and research in physics through active contact and collaboration with several research institutes and universities in India and abroad as well as various colleges in the country. The department is a leading center in the following fields of research: Nuclear Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Material science, Astrophysics, Radiation Physics, Theoretical Physics, Plasma Physics, Non-conventional Energy Source, and Nanoscience. The department focuses on imparting training in cutting-edge research in the above fields and inculcates the scientific temperament and spirit of society.

Academic Programs and admission procedures:

 

Name	Duration	Intake	Admission
M.Sc. Physics	4 Semesters	20+8	Entrance
M.Sc Radiation Physics	6 Semesters	12	Entrance
Ph.D	3-6 Years	8/per faculty	Entrance

Research and Development:

1. Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear reaction studies are conducted at various accelerator facilities (IUAC, New Delhi, BARC, and VECC, Kolkata). Fusion, Evaporation Residue measurements, Fission cross section measurements, and particle transfer studies are the main thrust areas. Also, gamma-ray spectroscopy of various nuclei, theoretical studies of Spontaneous Fission, Cluster Radioactivity, etc. were performed. As a collaboration partner in the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) we have initiated simulation of various detector parameters.

Nature of studies. Nuclear Reactions, Radiation Physics, , Studies in the fields of Gamma-ray interaction with matter, Nuclear Track detectors, development of gas detectors, the High Spin States using in-beam Gamma spectroscopy, Spontaneous Fission, Cluster Radioactivity, and Sub-Barrier fusion studies. Many Research papers have been published in various International journals and about ten candidates have taken Ph.D.

 

2. Materials Science: 

Materials are the backbone of modern technology. Three-dimensional materials like single crystals, two-dimensional materials like thin films, one-dimensional materials like nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, and zero-dimensional materials like quantum dots are synthesized/fabricated by the materials research group in the department. Studies on metallic thin films and their oxides, carbon-based nanostructures, and amorphous materials have been the thrust of experimental activity in the solid-state physics laboratory. Recently, a thermoelectric measurement system (ZEM 3 M(8) has been imported from Japan, with major research funding from SERB. The material science group has very good national and international collaboration. The optic, dielectric, conducting, thermoelectric, and magnetic properties of different dimensions of materials are studied by the researchers under this group. Multiferroic study-based Ph.D. thesis was awarded the best Ph.D. thesis by the DAE-Solid state physics symposium held at Baroda university. About 8 research projects are currently running under this group. Along with cutting-edge experimental research work, theoretical studies on different physical properties are also done in materials science. Band gap calculation, conductivity, and thermal conductivity calculations are some of them. On the theoretical side, computer simulation studies are also been pursued. Many international quality research publications are published by materials science researchers.

 

3. Astrophysics:

The Astrophysics group at our department mainly focuses on understanding the galactic structure and evolution and Nuclear astrophysics. To enhance the public outreach activities,  the Department has set up an observatory on the main campus of the University. The observatory dome has been erected and tested for 360-degree rotation. An 18’ reflecting type Newtonian telescope presented by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore under an MoU, was also been installed in the observatory along with CCD cameras and filters. This MoU facilitates the exchange of research students and scholars between the two institutions. 

4. Radiation Physics:

 The main research theme includes the Interaction of radiation with matter, environmental radiation analysis, Application of radiation in medicine, Standardisation of Quality of Ayurvedic formulations, Radiation Dosimetric studies in Radiology and Radiotherapy, and Neutron Dosimetry.

Former Heads:

1. Prof. Jose C Palathingal 1971-1981, 1982-1983, 1987-1989

2. Prof. S.C.K.Nair 1981-1982, 1983-1987

3. Prof. V.K.Thankappan 1989- 1994

4. Prof. K Neelakandhan 1994-2004

5. Prof. B.R.S. Babu 2004-2006

6. Prof. K.M. Varier 2006-2008

7. Prof. P Rameshan 2008-2010

8. Prof. Vishnu Mayya Bannur 2010-2011

9. Prof. George Varghese 2011-2013

10. Dr. Antony Joseph 2013-2015

11. Prof. M.M.Musthafa 2015- 2017

11. Prof. P. P. Pradyumnan 2017- 2019

12. Prof. A.M. Vinodkumar 2019 - 2021

13. Dr. C. D Ravi Kumar 2021 - 

External funding and Research Project

 

Sl.No.	Coordinator	Duration/year	Title	Funding Agency	Amount (in Lakhs)
1	Dr. P. P. Pradyumnan	5 years 2011-16	FIST II Programme	DST, Govt of India	104
2	Dr.Antony Joseph	5 years 2013-18	UGC-SAP DRS II Project	UGC, Govt. of India	75
3	Dr. M. Shahin	2014-18	SARD	KSCSTE	35
				Total	214

 

We progress through scientific development. Madhava Observatory, in memory of ancient great mathematician and astronomer, has been established for the development of observational Astronomy. The centralized Liquid Nitrogen Plant supports various experimental facilities in the department and other science departments in the University. Besides well-equipped laboratories, the department has an in-house internet facility with 50 Pcs and a library with a collection of 5216 books. Alumni of the department occupy several prestigious positions in national and international institutions. Also, a large fraction of the alumni is faculty in various colleges and universities. Department is associated with the Nuclear Data Physics Centre of India in data generation, validation, and compilation of Nuclear Data for the Nuclear Data Section of IAEA and associates with the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) program.

The department could fetch large funds through departmental projects and faculty projects, under various schemes of UGC, DAE, DST, KSCSTE etc. Presently the department is supported by the Fund for Infrastructure in Science and Technology (FIST) of the Department of Science and Technology with an amount of Rs. 1.04 crores. Special Assistance Program (SAP) of UGC with Rs. 75 lakhs and 5 cumulative JRF/SRF fellowships per year under the BSR scheme promotes research in a significant manner. The SARD scheme of KSCSTE with an amount of Rs. 35.50 lakhs is another impetus for the department.

During the last five years, the department has published over 110 articles in international/national peer-reviewed and indexed journals, and 52 scholars have been awarded Ph.D. degrees and 40 students M.Phil degrees, under the guidance of the faculty in the Department. Many research scholars have been awarded the best paper/poster awards at national and international conferences. Besides this, the department organizes symposia/workshops/conferences regularly on various subjects, in association with different national organizations. Prominent scientists from various national and international organizations visited the department, interacted with students and faculty of the department, and delivered lectures on advanced topics.

Apart from the routine teaching and research activities, the department is actively involved in spreading the spirit and outcome of developments in science and technology achieved through physics to the public through extension, training, workshops, and other outreach programs.

 

Experimental Facilities:

• Si(Li) detector, HPGe detector, and Scintillation Detectors with data acquisition systems.

• Central Liquid Nitrogen Plant

• X-Ray Diffractometer

• Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

• RF Sputtering Thin Film Deposition Unit

• Thinfilm deposition unit with electron beam

• Thermal evaporation Setup

• Thermo E.M.F measuring system (ZEM-3 (M8)

• UV-Vis Spectrophotometer.

• Micro Raman Spectrophotometer

• Dielectric measurement system.

• Electrometers

• Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

• Metallurgical optical microscope

• Telescopes

• Liquid Nitrogen Plant
• Micro Raman Spectrophotometer
• Scattering Chamber
• Spectroscopic Amplifier

 

External Collaborations

• Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi

• UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Kolkata Centre

• Nuclear Data Physics Centre of India, BARC, Mumbai

• Radiation Physics and Advisory Division, BARC, Mumbai

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore

• ISRO Satelite Centre, Bangalore

• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune

• Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Thrissur

• Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram

• National Chemical Laboratory ( NCL), CSIR, Pune

Former faculties who served the Department:

1. Prof. Jose C Palathingal 

2. Prof. S.C.K.Nair 

3. Prof. V.K.Thankappan 

4. Prof. K Neelakandhan 

5. Prof. B.R.S. Babu 

6. Prof. K.M. Varier 

7. Prof. P Rameshan 

8. Prof. Vishnu Mayya Bannur 

9. Prof. George Varghese 

10. Dr. Y S T Rao

11. Dr. Kuruvilla Eapan

12. Dr. T.N. Vasudevan (1977-2007)

13. Dr. A. Augusty

14. Dr. N. N. Mathew

15. Dr. M Somayajulu

16. Dr. C. S. Menon

17. Dr. P K Vaidyan

18. Dr. P.A Subha