Title: Surprises with DNA

Speaker: Prof. Somendra M Bhattacharjee, Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar

Venue: IOP Lecture Hall

Date: 2016-Aug-10 16:00:00

Abstract: Double stranded DNA has several unusual properties not shown by simple polymers or even single strands of DNA. Nevertheless, there are similarities between certain classes of problems of condensed matter physics (CMP) and the behaviour of DNA. Examples are melting of DNA, its rigidity, and associated topological issues. This talk will focus on some of these broad analogies between DNA and CMP.

Title: Brighter side of Semiconductor Nanocrystals: How to make Defects useful

Speaker: Prof. D. D. Sarma, Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, IISc Bangalore

Venue: Room 004, SBS Building, IIT Bhubaneswar, Argul Campus, Jatni.

Date: 2016-Aug-11 16:00:00

Abstract: One of the most exciting properties of semiconductor nanoparticles is the spectacular light it emits when excited, a phenomenon known as photoluminescence that has the potential to revolutionise the lighting technology. The early excitement was based on the realisation that quantum effects can be made use of to tune this emission across the visible range by tailoring the size of such pure nanoparticles. However, self-absorption as well as susceptibility to surface degradation are known to drastically affect the efficiency of such emissions, posing a challenge to technological utilisations of these materials. I shall discuss the counterintuitive approach based on deliberate insertion of point and extended defects in nanoparticles to overcome those intrinsic drawbacks of the pure system and to bring these materials closer to practical applications.

Title: Study of fission dynamics and nuclear viscosity (Ashwini Rath Memorial Colloquium)

Speaker: Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta , BARC, Mumbai

Venue: IOP Lecture Hall

Date: 2016-Aug-11 16:00:00

Abstract: Understanding of fission dynamics has been a topic of continued research interest. Among many other degrees of freedom, nuclear viscosity plays a crucial role in governing the fission dynamics. Several probes have been previously employed to study the fission dynamics and hence the nuclear viscosity. Certain issues about the nuclear viscosity such as its nature, temperature and coordinate dependence etc. remain unresolved. We have employed a different approach to gain information about the nuclear viscosity. Near scission particle emission (ternary fission) is very sensitive to nuclear motion during saddle to scission points and actual tearing up of the neck. I will discuss the systematic study of pre-scission and near scission α-particle emission made for various systems over a wide range of Z2/A and excitation energies. We find an important piece of information about the nuclear collective motion which has direct bearing on nuclear viscosity.

Title: Electric Dipole Moment of the Electron: Probe of New Physics Beyond the Standard Model

Speaker: Prof. Bhanu Pratap Das, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Venue: IOP Lecture Hall

Date: 2016-Aug-12 16:00:00

Abstract: The electric dipole moment (EDM) of the electron which arises due to the violations of the parity and time-reversal symmetries is a very sensitive probe of new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle interactions. My talk will focus on the manifestation of the EDM of the electron in atoms and molecules. The combined role of atomic/molecular experiment and theory in obtaining the electron EDM will be emphasized. The current status for the search of the electron EDM and its implications for new physics beyond the Standard Model will be highlighted.