RAMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE C.V.Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar Bangalore 560 080, India Annual Report 2007 – 2008 Correct citation: Raman Research Institute, 2008. Annual Report : 2007 – 2008 Bangalore, RRI, v 97p. For further information, please write to: The Director Raman Research Institute C. V. Raman Avenue Sadashivanagar Bangalore 560 080, India Phone : +91 (80) 2361 0122 – 2361 0129 Fax : +91 (80) 2361 0492 Telegram : RAMANINST, BANGALORE e-mail :
[email protected] [email protected] URL : http://www.rri.res.in ISSN : 0972-4117 September, 2008 C O N T E N T S Page Introduction 1 Astronomy & Astrophysics 9 Light & Matter Physics 20 Soft Condensed Matter 24 Theoretical Physics 30 Computers 39 Library 40 Other activities 43 Council and Finance Committee 46 Staff 47 Visitors 54 Publications 63 Conferences attended 83 Colloquia 105 Journal Club 115 Abbreviations used 119 P R E A M B L E The Annual report of the Raman Research Institute for the year 2007-2008 is a summary of the research and academic activities of the Institute during the year. The Annual Report presents synopses of the ongoing knowledge creation activities in the different research groups, many of which have outcomes in the form of publications in refereed scientific journals. Included are lists of research publications, PhD degrees awarded during the period 01 April 2007 to 31 March 2008, as well as seminars and review meetings focused on current research, which were held at the Institute. The report also lists the scientists who have visited the Institute from within India and from overseas during the period.