Team
![prs1](https://www.tifrh.res.in/~pranavrs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/prs1.jpg)
Pranav R. Shirhatti
Principal Investigator
(Associate Professor)
Email: pranavrs at tifrh dot res dot in
Phone: +91 040 2020 3061
My research interests lie in the areas of energy transfer processes in molecule-surface collisions, elementary chemical reactions on metal surfaces, developing atom scattering based surface probing methods and developing tools for high resolution molecular spectroscopy.
In the past I have worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the department of Dynamics at surfaces at Institute for Physical Chemistry and Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany. I did my PhD and MSc (integrated) at the Dept of chemical sciences in TIFR Mumbai, India, where I worked on laser spectroscopic characterization of weak hydrogen bonded molecular complexes. I did my undergraduate studies, B.Sc. Hons in Chemistry, at the University of Delhi, St. Stephen’s college.
![Avinash_v1](https://www.tifrh.res.in/~pranavrs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Avinash_v1.jpg)
Avinash Srivastav
(PhD Candidate, Physics subject board)
Email: avinashk at tifrh dot res dot in
I am working on developing narrow linewidth, intense, frequency stable radiation sources in the near to mid-IR region, based on nonlinear optical processes. These radiation sources are being developed for understanding enegry transfer processes in molecule-surface collisions by enabling ro-vibration state selected preparation of incident molecules in molecule-surface scattering experiments.
I obtained my M.Sc.and B.Sc. degree in Physics with specialization in electronics from DDU Gorakhpur University.
![Saurabh_lres.jpg](https://www.tifrh.res.in/~pranavrs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Saurabh_lres.jpg.png)
Saurabh Kumar Singh
(PhD Candidate, Chemistry subject board)
Email: sksaurabh at tifrh dot res dot in
I am working on understanding the elementary steps involved in CO2 dissociation on Cu surfaces, which is an important model system for understanding its catalytic conversion. I am also involved in developing diagnostic tools for high precision wavelength measurements, needed for high resolution laser spectroscopy.
I obtained my M.Sc. and B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University. As a part of my masters project I worked on the synthesis and characterization of TiO2 based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells.
![ardra_cr](https://www.tifrh.res.in/~pranavrs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ardra_cr.jpeg)
Ardra P. S.
(Integrated PhD candidate, Physics subject board)
Email: ardraps at tifrh dot res dot in
I am working on a project to develop an External Cavity Diode Laser, which is actively stabilized to obtain a frequency stable, single-mode narrow line-width operation. This system will be used as an injection seed for a optical parametric oscillator, to be used for quantum state-selected scattering experiments. Besides this I am also involved in designing an experimental schemes and diagnostics for quantum state selected preparation of molecules using actively wavelength stabilized quantum cascade lasers.
I have completed my BSc in physics from P.S.G. College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
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Minali
(PhD candidate, Chemistry subject board)
Email: minaligorsi at tifrh dot res dot in
My research aims to explore the ground state dissociation dynamics and activation barriers of CO2 on Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces, building upon previous studies on Cu(110) in our lab. This study will also be extend to stepped Cu surfaces to gain insights into reaction dynamics. Another part of my work is to build a narrow pulse with high peak intensity piezoelectric molecular beam source. A significant part of my work will also involve exploring the effects of internal excitation, such as vibrational modes, on the CO2 dissociation.
I obtained my M.Sc. and B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from D.A.V. College, Chandigarh. As a part of my master’s project, I worked on the diverse sensing behavior of a Schiff base receptor toward Zn2+ ions
![Murugan-Photo_cr](https://www.tifrh.res.in/~pranavrs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Murugan-Photo_cr.jpg)
Balamurugan M.
(Post Doctoral researcher)
Email: mbalamurugan at tifrh dot res dot in
My current research work focuses on developing tools for a Neutral atom microscopy (NAM). In particular am working towards developing an in-situ sample cleaning system, a detector with capability of measuring angle resolved scattered distributions and exploring the use of 2-dimensional materials as atomic mirrors.
I completed PhD degree in Chemistry from National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan ROC where I worked on developing plasmonic materials for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering based sensors. I obtained my M.Sc. (specialization in Physical Chemistry) degree from University of Madras, Chennai, Bachelor degree in Chemistry from Bishop Heber college, Trichy.
Sumanta Roy
(Project-B, Chemistry subject board)
Sai Vijay Mocherla
(Project-B, Chemistry subject board)
Former members
- Geetika Bhardwaj (PhD candidate)
PhD Thesis title: Atomic Scattering as a Soft and Universal Probe for Surfaces - Aditi Pradhan (Summer student, visiting from NISER Bhubaneshwar, May – July 2022) Project: Developing a high sensitivity Photo-Acoustic Spectroscopy setup.
- Amaraja Taur (senior research fellow (Oct 2018 – Sept 2021). Project: Understanding mechanistic aspects of plasmon-induced chemistry using H2+ D2 isotope exchange reaction as a model system
- Trupti Pradhan (Summer internship student, May – July 2019). Project: Exploring the use of classical MD simulations for understanding atom scattering from surfaces
- Dipanjana Saha (Research Intern, Junior Research Fellow, Jan – July 2018). Project: Designing frequency stabilized HeNe laser and narrow linewidth optical parametric oscillators.