This Department has a presence in all three campuses of the University

Department Head:

Dr. K. Venkataramaniah, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Programmes offered by the department:

Undergraduate Programme:

B.Sc. (Physics) Hons. , offered at all three campuses

The following programmes are offered only at the Prasanthi Nilayam campus:

Postgraduate Programme: M.Sc.(Physics)

Professional Programme: M.Tech.(Applied Optics: Fiber Optics and Digital Image Processing)

M.Phil Programme: Physics

Ph.D. Programme: Doctoral degree (in Applied Optics and Nuclear Physics)

Teaching Staff Profile:

PRASANTHINILAYAM CAMPUS

• Prof. K. Venkataramaniah M.Sc., Ph.D.
  Professor, HoD, Dean, Faculty of Science,
  Director, Sri Sathya Sai Space Theater
  Subjects taught: Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Nuclear Physics, Solid State Physics and Electronics
  Research Field: Nuclear Spectroscopy
  Research Experience: 36 years
  Number of Publications: 100
  Achievements: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow
  Major Research Projects: 3
  Currently working in Nuclear Spectroscopy
  Ph.D.s guided: 4
  
  
• Dr. K. B. R. Prasad M.Sc., Ph.D.
  Reader, Former Director, Sri Sathya Sai Space Theater
  Subjects taught: Electronics, Semiconductor Physics, Energy Resources
  Achievements: Authored many Laboratory Manuals for Electronics courses
  
• Dr. S. Siva Sankara Sai M.Sc., Ph.D.
  Reader
  Subjects taught: Optics, Electromagnetism, Lasers, Fiber Optics Communications, Spectroscopy, Mathematical Physics, Microprocessors, and Electronics
  Research Field: Fiber Optics
  Research Experience: 22 years
  Number of Publications: 11
  Research Projects: 2
  Currently working in Bio Photonics
  Other information: Refresher Courses attended: 2, Member – Indian Laser Association, Invited talks: 2, Resource Person for “Orientation course for In-Service Teachers” conducted by SSSIHL - from 2004
  
• Dr. M. Sainath M.Sc., Ph.D.
  Senior Lecturer, Radiation Safety Officer
  Subjects taught: Mathematical Physics, Electrodynamics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Spectroscopy
  Research Field Nuclear Spectroscopy
  Research Experience: 17 years
  Number of Publications: 48
  Currently working in Nuclear Spectroscopy and Trace element analysis
  Other Qualifications: Completed a course on Radiation Safety in BARC, Mumbai
  Other information: Orientation Course attended: 2, Invited Talks: 4, Resource Person for “Orientation course for In- Service Teachers” conducted by SSSU – from 2004, Member – Indian Physics Association, Used the Accelerator facility in IGCAR, Kalpakkam, for PIXE studies Collaborative Research work with BARC, Mumbai
  
• Mr. R. Gowrishankar M.Sc.
  Lecturer
  Subjects taught: Mathematical Physics, Electromagnetism, Thermal Physics, Optics, Statistical Physics, Semiconductor Physics, Microprocessors and Electronics
  Research Field: Nuclear Physics
  Achievements: University Gold Medalist in M.Sc., from SSSIHL
  Research Experience: 5 years
  Number of Publications: 8
  Currently working in Trace element analysis
  Other information: SERC school attended: 1 Member – Indian Association of Physics Teachers, Used the accelerator facility in IGCAR Kalpakkam, for PIXE studies, 2005
  

BRINDAVAN CAMPUS

• Dr. K. S. Umesh M.Sc., Ph.D.
  Reader
  Subjects taught: Optics, Electromagnetism, Lasers, Mathematical Physics, Microprocessors, Solid State Physics and Thermal Physics
  Research Field Holographic Spectroscopy
  Research Experience: 11 years
  Number of Publications: 11
  Research Projects: 1
  Currently working in Computerization of UG experiments
  Other Information: Refresher courses attended – 2
  
• Mr. Raj Kumar Jain M.Sc.
  Senior Lecturer
  Subjects taught: Electronics, Mechanics, Optics, Electromagnetism, Spectroscopy, Solid State Physics and Nuclear Physics
  Achievements: Best All-rounder Gold Medal of the University, SSSU, 1984
  Research Field: Nuclear Physics
  Number of Publications: 6
  Other information Member – Indian Association of Physics Teachers
  
• Mr. O. S. K. Sastry M.Sc, M.Tech (Fiber optics and Digital Image Processing)
  Lecturer
  Subjects taught: Optics, Electromagnetism, Spectroscopy, Mathematical Physics, Microprocessors and Mechanics
  Research Field: Nuclear Physics
  Research Experience: 12 years
  Number of Publications: 20
  Research Projects: 1
  Currently Working in Nuclear Physics
  Achievements: Gold Medal in M.Sc. (Physics) from SSSU, Winner of Second Prize for Best Talent amongst Physics Teachers Competition conducted by Indian Physics Association as part of UN International year of Physics to celebrate the centenary of Einstein’s contributions in 1905
  Other Information: Invited as Resource Person at the Refresher Course on Computational Physics at Physics Department & UGC – Academic Staff College, H. P. University, Simla from 22nd – 26th March, 2006. Lectures on Computer Interfacing Experiments and MATLAB Simulations in Physics were delivered over six sessions.

ANANTAPUR CAMPUS

• Dr. Mrs. Dwaraka Rani Rao M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.
  Reader, Principal of Anantapur Campus
  Teaching experience 35 Years
  Subjects taught: Physics (all branches) for Intermediate and Degree students
  Research Field: Nuclear Spectroscopy
  Research Experience: 12 Years
  Number of Publications: 14
  Achievements: Gold Medal in M.Sc. for standing first in all Applied Sciences
  Other information: Refresher courses attended: 4, Invited talks delivered: 4, Summer schools attended: 1, Indian Association of Physics Teachers - Life member
  Correspondence Course: Evaluation Methodology and Examinations Basic Level conducted by Association of Indian Universities from Oct.83 to April 84. GPA obtained 4.54(A)
  Evaluation Methodology and Examinations Intermediate Level conducted by Association of Indian Universities from Oct.84 to March 85. GPA obtained 4.8(A)
  Special Courses:Course in FORTRAN Computer programming conducted by Computer Centre, J.N.T.U. College of Engineering, Anantapur from 3.3.1986 to 25.4.1986, obtained 96% marks
  State Level Special Course in Mathematics for Degree College Lectures in Physics conducted by SCERT, A.P. from 17-7-81 to 28-7-1981 at P.R. Govt. College Kakinada.
  
• Ms. Deepa Seetharaman M.Sc.
  Lecturer
  Subjects taught: Mathematical Physics, Electromagnetism, Thermal Physics, Optics, Mechanics, Microprocessors and Electronics
  Research Field Nuclear Physics
  Achievements: University First in M.Sc., from Mumbai University
  Research Experience: 5 Years
  Number of Publications: 5
  Currently working in Nuclear Spectroscopy
  
• Mrs. C. Pratibha M.Sc., B.Ed.
  Teaching Assistant
  Subjects taught: Electron Devices and Circuits, Solid State physics, Applied Physics, and Classical Mechanics
  Research Field: Applied Physics
  Other information: 3 years teaching experience in L.R.G. Naidu College, at Kirikera, Hindupur
  

Seminars and workshops organised at the department:

In the year 2006-2007:

The Department of Physics has organized an International Workshop on Science and Applications of Nanostructured Materials from 29th November to 1st December, 2006.  The Vice Chancellor, Sri A.V.Gokak has delivered the Inaugural address highlighting the need for a coherent development and use of technology for the welfare of the society.

Following are some speakers who dealt the topics indicated against the names:

Visiting faculty :

A number of eminent scholars both from within the country and abroad visit the department and interact with students and faculty in long term as well as short term basis. Following is the list of important persons who interacted with faculty and students during the last few years.

1. Prof. Ramesh Sharma, University of New Haven, delivered lectures on ‘Mathematical Physics’ for students of I M.Sc. and III B.Sc. (Hons) Physics during July – August 2006.

2. Prof. D. Sahoo, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, took classes on ‘Quantum Mechanics’ for students of II year M.Sc. during the period 25^th June to 18^th July 2006 and also 15^th to 24^th Aug 2006 and also guided one M.Sc. project.

3. Prof. M.K. Sundaresan, University of Carlton, Canada, taught full special course PHY 1004(B) for II MSc students during Nov 2006 – March 2007.

4. Prof. A.K. Jain, BARC, Mumbai, delivered lectures on ‘Nuclear Reactions’ for specialization in Nuclear Physics for students of II MSc during the period 7^th June to 30^th June 2006.

5. Dr. C.S. Murthy, IBM Semi conductor Research & Development Centre, East Fishkill facility, Hopewell Jct, New York, USA took classes on ‘Semiconductor Physics’ for II MSc students during the period 9^th July to 22^nd July 2006.

6. Dr. G.V. Kamesh, specialist in VLSI, USA took classes on in ‘CMOS devices and VLSI design’ for II MSc students during the period 13^th to 26^th July 2006.

7. Prof. Apparao M Rao, Clemson University, USA took classes on ‘Nonlinear optics, Nano science and Nanomaterials – A special course’ for II MSc students during the period 19^th July to 1^st Aug 2006.

8. Dr. Jayasimha Prasad, Senior Director of Research Micrel semiconductor, USA took classes on ‘Semiconductor for Phsycsi, E-K diagrams, mobility, effective mass etc., Theory of PN junctions and Bipolar transistors, MOS device physics’ for II MSc students during the period 1^st to 5^th Aug 2006.

9. Dr. Balasubramanian, Lucent Technologies, USA taught ‘Communications’ course for II MSc Photonics specialization students during the semester June-Nov 2006.

10. Prof.Santhosh N. Khedkar, IIT, Mumbai taught ‘Fiber Optics’ course for II MSc Physics Photonics students during the semester June-Nov 2006.

11. Prof. G. Amarendra, IGCR, Kalpakka, taught special topics in the application of Nuclear Physics in ‘Condensed matter Physics’ research for II MSc Nuclear Physics specialization students during the semester June-Nov 2006 and also helped setting up of Gamma-Gamma coincidence system for use in the research activity in Nuclear Physics.

12. Dr. Ailla wadi, AT & T Bell laboratories, USA taught ‘Optical Communications’ and interacted with staff in finalizing the course for the M.Tech. (Applied Optics) program and preparing proposal research project for submission to DST during Aug 2006.

13. Prof. C.P. Reddy, IGCAR, Kalpakkam, taught special topics in ‘Reactor Physics and Reactor engineering for the II MSc Nuclear Physics specialization students during the semester June-Nov 2006 and interacted with the Nuclear Physics research group.

14. Dr. M. V. Kamesh, National Semiconductors, USA taught ‘Semiconductor Device Physics’ to II MSc Physics students during the semester June-Nov 2006.

15. Dr. Jaisimha Prasad, National Semiconductors, USA taught advanced topics in Microelectronics to MSc Physics students during the semester June-Nov 2006.

Major thrust areas within the subject in which research activities are being actively pursued:

M. Phil. Research Candidates Completed in the year 2007:

Ph.D. Research Scholars enrolment:

M.Sc. (Physics)Dissertations - 2005-06 Batch:

Research Papers Published during the year 2006-2007:

1. Shailesh Shrivastava, Ram Gopal, Siva Sankara Sai, Srinivasan, “Feedback Machzehder resonator with ‘reflector’: Analysis and applications in single frequency fiber lasers”, Applied Physics letters, 89 (2006), p.14118.

2. O.S.K.S. Sastri, R.K. Jain and P.C. Sood, “Intrinsically forbidden ‘Allowed’ beta Transitions in Actinides”, Journal of Physics G, Vol.32, p. 2157  - 2165.

3. M. Sainath, K. Venkataramanaiah, and P.C. Sood,  “Low lying intrinsic structures 254Es.”, European Physics Journal, A, Vol.31, 2007, pp.135.

4. Ram Gopal, V. Deepak and S. Sivaramakrishnan, “Systematic study of spatiotemporal dynamics of Intense femtosecond Laser Pulses in BK-7 glass”, Pramana, Journal of Physics, 2007.

Papers presented in Workshops/Seminars/Conferences etc.:

1. Sri O.S.K.S.Sastri, Sri R.K.Jain and Prof. P.C.Sood, “Anomalous Alpha Half-lives of odd N Heavy Actinides”, in the DAE-BRNS symposium on Nuclear Physics, 2006.

2. Dr. (Mrs) Dwarakarani Rao, Sri K. Vijay Sai, Dr. M.Sainath, Sri R. Gowrishankar, Miss. S.Deepa and Prof.K.Venkataramaniah, “New levels in 99Tc from the beta decay of 99Mo”, in proceedings of the DAE-BRNS Symp on Nucl.Phys. 51(2006)234.

3. Sri K, Vijay Sai, Dr. M.Sainath, Prof.K.Venkataramaniah and Prof.P.C. Sood, “Features of two-phonon triplet states in semi-magic Sn nuclei”, in the proceedings of the DAE-BRNS Symp on Nucl.Phys. 51(2006)290.

4. Dr. M.Sainath, Prof. K. Venkataramaniah and Prof. P.C. Sood, “Characterisation of 252Es ground state”, in the Proceedings of the DAE-BRNS Symp on Nucl.Phys. 51(2006)300.

5. Dr. S. Sivasankara Sai and Sri S. Jagdish Chandra, “Edge Enhancement technique in optical imageprocessing: Application to medical images”, in the proceedings of Photonics 2006

6. Sri V. Saimuthukumar, Sri S. Sivaramakrishnan, Dr. S. Sivasankara Sai and Prof. K. Venkataramaniah, “Investigation of Optical limiting in multiwalled carbon nanotubes”, in the proceedings of the Annual Photonics Workshop 2007, Cochin.

7. Sri S. Jagdish Chandra, Dr. S. Sivasankara Sai, Sri Nimai Chan Patra, “Innovative method in medical diagnostics using fourier filtering techniques”, in the proceedings of the National Conference on Innovative Information Technologies and Secure Transactions, Bhilai.

   Dr. S. Siva Sankara Sai attended a conference on “Photonics 2006” at Hyderabad Central University from 13th to 16th Dec 2006.

   Mr. R. Gowrishankar, attended the DAE-BRNS Symposium on ‘Nuclear Physics’ at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara from 11th to 15th Dec 2006.

   Mr. K. Vijay Sai attended the DAE-BRNS Symposium on ‘Nuclear Physics’ at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara from 11th to 15th Dec 2006.

8. Dr. (Mrs.) Dwaraka Rani Rao: New levels in 99Tc from the beta decay of 99Nh DAE-BRNS 51st symp. In Nuclear Physics at M.S. University, Baroda, during 11th and 15th Dec 2006.

9. Dr. (Mrs.) Dwaraka Rani Rao & Ms. Deepa, “International Workshop on ‘Science & Applications of Nassostructures Materials’ at SSSU, Prasanthinilayam, during 29th Nov and 1st Dec 2006.

Faculty receiving international recognition:

Dr. K Venkataramaniah: Alexander Von Humboldt Fellow

Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA, 2002 has recognised the Nuclear Data Sheets as source paper for all calculations of levels and configurations in the 20th century 250Md which was published by Prof. P.C. Sood, Dr. M. Sainath, and Dr. Venkataramaniah.

Basic and advanced facilities over the years:

• High Power Nd:YAG Pulsed Laser System
• Ar: ion Laser System
• PC based Optical Multichannel Analyser System
• Signal and Waveform Analysers
• Lasers and Photodetectors systems
• PC based Single mode OTDR system
• PC controlled tunable Dye Laser system
• PC based Nuclear Multi Channel Analysers
• LN2 cooled HPGe Detector systems
• LN2 cooled SiLi detector system
• Mini Orange electron Spectrometer
• Microprocessors Trainer Kits for 8085 and 8086 with study cards
• Radio Isotope Lab
• Number of basic Electronic Measuring and Generating Instruments

Alumni of the Department

The alumni of the department have gone on to hold several important positions both in academics and other professions. Among them are eminent professors, research scientists, engineers, software engineers, entrepreneurs, administrative service officers and officers of the armed forces.

In terms of statistics, a major section of the alumni have devoted themselves to scientific professions. Right from the earliest batch of students who have passed out after their Masters in the department, to date, 60% of the students pursue their career in research and are in still active in academics. To list a few:

• Dr. V. Sudarshanam, holds a senior scientist position at Corning Inc.
• Dr. Sanjay Krishna is professor at the University of New Mexico
• Dr. Harshavardhan Wanare is an assistant professor at IIT, Kanpur
• Dr B. R. Prasad is a scientist at the Indian Institute of Astrohysics, Bangalore
• Dr Gurudev Dutt and Dr. Vishnuvardhan are post-dotcoral researchers at Harvard
• Dr M. V. Shankar and Mr. D. Anil Kumar are scientist at the John Welch Research Center, G.E, Bangalore
• Dr. Vishnu Vardhan completed his Ph.D. and is a post doctoral fellow in Germany.

In the last six years, about 25 alumni of the physics department have gone abroad (Germany, USA, Italy, Taiwan, Holland, etc) to pursue Ph.D. in many reputed Universities. About 30 students got admissions into IITs and IISc for M.Tech and Ph.D. programmes.

About 20% of the alumni work for reputed software institutions like Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Honeywell, CISCO, SAS and Aztech technologies. While few have entered Indian Administrative Services some have joined the Indian National Army, Indian Air Force and Navy. To quote few names, Mr. Harikrishna Kutty is a recipient of the President’s medal; Mr. Arun Tewari and Mr. Radhakrishna are officers in the Indian Administrative Service; Col. Linesh and Maj. Ravindra are serving the armed forces; Mr. Govind Upadhyaya, Mr. Kamal Kaushal, Mr. Birendra Nepal are the recent ones to join the Armed forces.

All the alumni of the Institute actively participate in varied social service activities and are constantly in touch with the Institute and department. Those who are in academic field eagerly look forward to contribute to the department by helping the current students in appraising of the opportunities available in India and abroad. They interact with the faculty and students informally and share their knowledge at various levels. Some of the alumni of the department who are currently in top positions in academic Institutes elsewhere in India are members of the panel of Examiners for Post graduate courses. They actively participate in evaluation of examination answer scripts and Project reports of M.Sc. students

Other highlights:

• In 1991 Hons. programme was introduced at the B.Sc. level and the department extended computer lab courses to the final year B.Sc.(Hons.) in Physics students.
  
• The department gets regularly visiting faculties coming from academics as well as from industry both within India and abroad.
  
• M.Tech. (Applied Optics: Fiber Optics and Digital Image Processing) was reintroduced in the year 2007-2008 at Prasanthinilayam Campus.
  
• Attention in the Nuclear Physics laboratory is being focused on the detailed nuclear structure studies. On the experimental side, these studies include investigations of level structures of medium weight nuclei through gamma and conversion electron spectroscopy. Our lab has the unique distinction of having the only university-based mini-orange spectrometer alongside high precision HPGe gamma detector. On one hand, we look for characteristics of exotic octupole, hexadecapole and other shapes in low energy spectra of closed spherical nuclei. On the other side, we investigate structures of heavy deformed nuclei with a view to frame guidelines for exploring the as unknown nuclear species in the transuranic region. Our published works have met with International standards and benchmarks.
  
• Nuclear Data Sheets formulated by Dr. Sainath etal at the Nuclear Science Laboratory, Sri Sathya Sai University, has become the source paper for all calculations of levels and configuration in the 20th century nucleus 250Md; throughout the world.
  
• The optics and photonics lab has been successful in replacing the conventional post-graduate programme with a research-oriented capsule that challenges the young mind sufficiently. The state of the art lab equipped with high power pulsed Nd:YAG laser system, tunable Ti:Sapphire and dye lasers with SHG, THG and OPO, tunable diode laser, optical fibers and fusion splicer provides hands-on experience and training in sophisticated experimental optics, both linear and non-linear, and fiber optics. The published works in experimental and theoretical photonics have met with international standards. Projects at the post-graduate level have been recognized for quality with a recent project leading to a paper accepted for presentation at Photonics 2002. Several other projects which are off-shoots of a recent Ph.D. thesis are in the process of being published. The optics and photonics group has, thus, been able to conceptualize a post-graduate programme as a research cum training initiative.
  
• Apart from traditional physics courses and laboratories, training is given in areas of computer programming and simulations using standard software.