Editorial Message from the President

It is our great pleasure to release the 37th issue of Dear Esteemed NPS Members, NPS newsletter. This newsletter summarizes the NPS Scientific activities such as NPS News, First and foremost, I hope that everyone is healthy and staying Seminars, Talks/Scientific Visits, Physics Related safe during these uncertain times due to worldwide outbreak of News, Meeting, Conferences, and many other COVID-19 pandemic. informational matters. Over 38 years ago, Physical Society (NPS) was founded in 1983 and since then NPS has been working actively on promoting th NPS 38 annual general meeting (AGM) was held the quality physical education in Nepal. It has been a special on November 8-9, 2019 at the Central Department honor to me for being the 19th president of NPS and undertaking of Physics, TU, Kirtipur. The AGM elected new my responsibility since November 2019. At present, due to executive committee and since then the executive antagonistic situation created by COVID-19 pandemic, we are committee has been actively involving on NPS executing our activities using digital technology. Recently, we activities. However, due to ongoing COVID- have formed executive committee of NPS chapters in all seven 19 pandemic around the world, we are not able to provinces through the virtual online meetings. perform NPS activities physically. So, we have been performing the several activities from virtual NPS regularly organizes colloquiums, workshops, seminars and online meetings for the last five months (since trainings to improve the teaching and research capabilities of our February 2020). students and faculties as well. Recently, we have organized a summer school on python programing in collaboration with the NPS organized 14th Nepal Physics Olympaid Association of Nepali Physicists in America (ANPA) for faculties (NePhO) on February in which more than 350 and graduate students in order to develop their computational students were participated in preselecting exam. skills to strengthen their research capabilities. Similarly, we are The most of the NPS effort has been devoted for also organizing a long-term NPS Computing School to grow and the selection procedure for first round for IPhO develop the computational and research capabilities of our participants. We would like to thank all faculties, who have been involving on teaching to undergraduate professors/faculties and NPS members for and graduate level courses in Physics. encouraging students to participate NePhO. We Moreover, NPS publishes peer review biennial research journal, highly appreciate the contribution of professors ‘Journal of Nepal Physical Society (JNPS)’. Nevertheless, from and faculties for their constant involvement and this year we are highly dedicated to publish bi-annual JNPS and guidance for the selection procedure of first round to strengthen its quality. For this purpose, we have upgraded NPS of IPhO . website so that all publication procedure such as articles submission, reviewing and correspondences can be completed On behalf of the NPS executive committee, I would from the online domain. Similarly, NPS membership can be like to thank all the NPS members for their applied through online from NPS website. valuable support in the publication of this issue. The NPS executive committee welcomes the Finally, I would like to appeal for greater efforts in promoting constructive feedback for the improvement of the collaborative excellence in physics research and education from publication incoming issues. Finally, we very much national and international organizations. I urge all NPS chapters appreciated your comments queries, suggestions, to play the active roles and work together on scientific and public and correspondences. outreach activities in the local community. I am optimistic that the activities of NPS will flourish further with supports from all valued Thank you. members. I look forward to your constructive suggestions. Dr. Binod Adhikari Editor in Chief With best regards, Nepal Physical Society Prof. Dr. Narayan P. Chapagain President Nepal Physical Society

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 1 We highly appreciate their constant involvements and Publication of Journal of Nepal Physical Society (JNPS) guidance for the selection procedure of first round of IPhO. NePhO have selected top 26 students for further training. We would like to congratulate selected candidates and we will NPS has published the fifth issue of Journal of Nepal honor them whenever the situation of the country turns into Physical Society (JNPS). The main priority of the journal is normal condition. Due to unfavorable situation created by to contribute knowledge building process on experimental, covid-19, IPhO-2020 has been cancelled and the 51st IPhO theoretical and simulation works by providing an steering committee postponed all the activities for one year. opportunity for scholarly discussion on the role of researchers and reviewers. JNPS includes original relevant manuscripts from different areas of research in physics. NPS encourages everyone to support in our endeavor to build and share the knowledge from the research activities in physics. NPS would like to thank all the contributors to make this issue successful. We would like to especially thank reviewers for their valuable suggestions and feedbacks. The NPS editorial board welcomes to receive any comment, query, suggestion, and correspondence for the improvement of JNPS.

Collaboration between NPS and ANPA

NPS and ANPA (Association of Nepali Physicists in America) have signed on MoU (Memorandum of understanding) with purpose of creating a framework for collaboration and cooperation between the two organizations via mutual sharing of scientific and technological ideas and expertise to better serve Nepali scientific diaspora. As part of collaborative work between NPS and ANPA six students (3 MSc and 3 BSc students) are working for their Nepal Physical Society-Picnic research projects with supervisors jointly from Nepal and US. Moreover, NPS and ANPA organized a Python training school during April 18 – May 23, 2020 for Physics Nepal Physical Society organized a picnic program on Graduate students from Nepal. Instructors for this school 21st Manshir at Balaju Park, . Senior were Dr. Shree Krishna Bhattrai, Dr. Jagan Devokota and professors, Physicists associated on different Dr. Ghanashyam Khanal from ANPA, USA. In this school, organizations, faculties of different institutes, executive 61 participants successfully completed their training members, advisors, and general members of the Society courses. were present in the picnic.

Nepal Physics Olympiad Committee (NePhO), Activity

Nepal Physics Olympiad Committee (NePhO), a subcommittee of NPS, conducted national level preselection test exam for higher secondary school graduates for the participation in 51st International Physics Olympiad on 18-26 July 2020 Vilnius, Lithuania. The test was held on 25th January 2020. A large numbers of higher secondary school graduates enthusiastically participated in the test. We are thankful to all professors/faculties, CEO’s of respective colleges and NPS members who supported for the preselection of the students.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 2 International Workshop on Space Weather and Upper Atmosphere Physics, Sept 23-28, 2019, Amrit Campus (TU)

It was for the first time in the history of Amrit Campus, TU, that an International Workshop on Space Weather and Upper Atmosphere Physics (WSWUAP) was successfully conducted at the Department of Physics on Sept 23-28, Workshop on Experimental Plasma Physics 2019. The event was jointly organized by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy and Amrit Campus, Nepal. There were Workshop on Experimental Plasma Physics was altogether 50 participants throughout the country. The organized during June 30 - July 1, 2019 at Department of event was commenced by welcome speed delivered by Physics, School of , Kathmandu University, head of the Physics Department, Amrit Campus, Prof. Dr. Dhulikhel. The main objective of the Workshop was to Leela Pradhan Joshi. The resource persons for the event discuss the experimental methods in plasma, its were Prof. Dr. Christine Amory-Mazaudier from Sorbonne diagnostics, and applications. Prof. Dr. Arun Sharma Universités UPMC Paris, France, Dr. Yenca Migoya-Orué, from VIT University, Chennai, India was the invited & Dr. Katy Alazo-Cuartas from ICTP, Trieste Italy, and resource person of the workshop along with local experts Prof. Dr. Narayan Chapagain & Dr. Shriram Sharma from Prof. Dr. Raju Khanal and Prof. Dr. Deepak Prasad Amrit Campus, TU . The workshop was aimed to build Subedi, who presented a summary of the plasma research understanding of space weather that impacts numerous activities in Nepal. Hands-on Lab Activities were facets of human life. The workshop provided knowledge on the various aspects of the space weather, sun – Earth arranged during which various plasma experiments were system and influences of solar activities on upper demonstrated to the participants and could control few atmosphere including ionosphere and analyze of ground- parameters themselves. and satellite-based observations on ionospheric variability. This workshop trained the participants enabling them on advancing data collection, compilation using GPS or GNSS measurements and its analysis in a way that has provided excellent professional development and networking opportunities for attendees. The WSWUAP was the premier international forum for Nepalese senior undergraduates, graduates, Ph.D. Scholars and faculties from Physics to build their research career in the field of Space or Atmospheric Physics. In closing ceremony, Vice Chancellor of NAST (Nepal Academy of Science and Technology), Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha addressed the event and distributed the certificate for the participants.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 3 Symposium on Plasma Physics and Material Science (SPPMS 2019) NPS School of Computing

Symposium on Plasma Physics and Material Science (SPPMS 2019) was jointly organized by the Central NPS is conducting an online “NPS School of Department of Physics, , Kirtipur Computing” from July 4, 2020, for the faculties of and Department of Physics, School of Science, Physics from of Physics from different universities, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel on 2 July 2019 in constituent, community, and private campuses of Nepal. theCentral Department of Physics at Kirtipur, Altogether We are planning to run a long - term computing school as 18 contributions from various fields of plasma physics the classes are scheduled only at weekends (Saturday and and material science were presented during the Sunday). The main objective of this school is to develop Symposium, which was attended by 32 participants. the capabilities of computational skills (e.g. Numerical Prof. Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, School of Advanced Methods, Simulation, and Animation etc.) which are , VIT University Chennai, India delivered the fundamental techniques on teaching Physics courses to invited plenary talk entitled “Plasma Coating Undergraduate and Graduate levels. The school includes Technology for Various Industries”. There were two basic training on python programming and solving invited talks by Prof. Dr. Deepak Prasad Subedi in the introductory computational problems in the Physics title “Low Temperature Plasma and its Applications” courses (e.g. differential equations in Mechanics and and Prof. Dr. Raju Khanal in the title “Plasma-Wall partial differential equations in Electrodynamics, Monte Transition Studies and other Activities in our Group”. Carlo simulation in Statistical Physics and Condensed Other contributions were presented as oral and during Matter Physics) using Python programming and Quantum the poster session. The Symposium offered a unique Physics with QuTip, and Quantum Computing with opportunity, especially to young researchers, to interact QisKit, and several data-visualization techniques. The lead and listen to various people working in diverse area of role as an instructor of the school is Dr. Dibakar Sigdel, their field of interest. The program was concluded with a Data Scientist, UCLA, USA. Interested participating in discussion session about how to implement the wide this school can apply using following aspects of plasma physics in Nepal. link:p://tiny.cc/vnx2pz NPS School web: https://npshub.github.io Announcement NPS website: http://nps.org.np/

Scientific Visits and Talks Programs 10th International Conference on Frontiers of Plasma Physics and Technology (FPPT-10), 22-26 March 2021, Nepal Scientific Visits

 Prof. Dr. Narayan P. Chapagain, President of NPS, The theme of the FPPT Conferences series is promoting participated and presented a paper entitled “Study on sustainable research and technology in developing Correlation Between GPS-TEC and Geomagnetic countries through international cooperation. It is Parameters Over Nepal in The Year of 2016” in the organized in different developing countries to provide an AGU Fall Meeting 2019 during 9-13 December in San opportunity to local, young and enthusiastic Researchers Francisco, CA, USA. Prof. Chapagain also visited to to have an opportunity of a close interaction with Utah Valley University, UT, USA (January 2019) for international experts and acquaint with the latest his collaborative research projects. Dr. Chapagain research areas. This is the tenth conference in the series delivered a talk organized by Association of Nepali and the earlier conferences were held in different Physicists in America (ANPA) on “Nepal Physical countries. The conference series is organized in Society: Overview of NPS and Possible Collaboration association with the international organizations including with ANPA” in ANPA monthly colloquium series. IAEA, and ICTP etc. Conference details will be  Prof. Dr. Leela Pradhan Joshi and Dr. Sanju available soon on website: http://www.fpptseries.org Shrestha participated and delivered invited talks on 8th Dr. Raju Khanal Asian conference on colloid & interface Science (ACCIS 2019) during 24-27 September 2019 at IOE Chair, National Organizing Committee Pulchok, Nepal. [email protected]

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 4  Prof. Dr. Deepak Prasad Subedi, Department of  Dr. Binod Adhikari, Lecturer at St. Xavier’s Physics, School of Science, KU participated and College, participated and presented a paper entitled presented a paper “entitled Optical Characterization “Loss, Acceleration and Transport of of Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Relativistic Electrons during Geomagnetic Discharge (DBD) in Air Using Transparent Disturbances” in the 27th Workshop on Space Electrode” in the 3rd Asia-Pacific Conference on Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits during Plasma Physics (AAPPS-DPP2019) during 4-8 18 -20 October 2019 in Washington D.C., USA. November 2019 at Hefei, China. Dr. Subedi, presented Dr. Adhikari also participated a Short-Term a paper “Surface Treatment of Polypropylene by Training Course for Capacity Building in Space Dielectric Barrier Discharge Generated at Near Application on Earth Observation Applications and Atmospheric Pressure” in the 14th Asia-Pacific Research: Fundamentals, Emerging Technological Physics Conference 2019 (APPC-14) during 17-22 . Tools and Services for BIMSTEC Member States from 06-17 January 2020 at Shillong, Meghalaya,  Prof. Dr. Narayan Adhikari, CDP, TU visited IIT India. Kanpur from poush-28 to Magh 9 for academic discussion. Dr. Adhikari participated and presented a  Mr. Prakash Man Shrestha, Mrs. Usha Joshi, paper entitled “Simulation of 2D materials” during 7th Mr. Parshuram Poudyal, Mr. Udaya Shrestha May 2020 in IEEE. and Mr. Suresh Bhattarai participated a short course on “Space Weather ” organized by Physics  Prof. Dr. Raju Khanal, CDP, TU, participated and Research Lab.(PRL) and Central for Space Science presented a paper entitled “Kinetic Trajectory and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific Simulation Method for Interaction of Magnetized (CSSTEAP,UN) from 14-27 November 2019 at Plasma Having two Species of Positive Ions with Ahmadabad, India. Tungsten Surface” during 4-7 November 2019 at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)  Mr. Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, Amrit Campus, Headquarters, Vienna, Austria. Dr. Khanal and Mr. Kathmandu, TU, presented a paper entitled Suresh Banset, participated in the “Conference on “Computational evaluation on molecular stability, Plasma Simulation (CPS)” during 23 and 24 January reactivity and drug potential of Frovatriptan: 2020 at Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, Insights from DFT and molecular docking Gujarat, India. approach” in Indo-Brazilian e-Symposium on Solid  Associate Prof. Dr. Gopi Chandra Kaphle, Secretary State Properties of Pharmaceuticals during 29-30 of NPS, participated and presented a paper entitled April, 2020 at University of Lucknow, India. He “Effect of Fe and Cr dopping on electronic and “Study on Vibrational Spectroscopy and Quantum magnetic properties of Inverse Heusler alloys” in the Chemical Calculation Method of cefradine” in International conference on Correlative Advancement 8th International Conference on Perspectives in on Analytical and Applied Physics during 21-23 Vibrational Spectroscopy (ICOPVS-2020) during October 2019 at St. Josheph,s College, North Point 24-28, February 2020 at JNCASR, Bengaluru, Darjelling , India. India,  Associate Prof. Dr. Madhav Prasad Ghimire, CDP  Mr. Rambabu Ray, CDP, TU participated and TU participated and presented a paper entitled “ Dirac presented a paper entitled “ Electronic and fermions and flat bands in the ideal kagome metal magnetic properties of Quaternary Heusler FeSn” in the International conference on Correlative alloys” in the International conference on Advancement on Analytical and Applied Physics Correlative Advancement on Analytical and during 21-23 October 2019 at St. Josheph,s College, Applied Physics during 21-23, October 2019 at St. North Point Darjelling , India. Josheph,s College, North Point Darjelling , India.  Dr. Pitri Bhakta Adhikari, TU, participated and  Mr. Tarani Yadav, CDP TU participated and presented a paper entitled “Different types of presented a paper entitled “electronic and lightning electric field waveforms observed in magnetic properties of CuO Nanotubes” in Kathmandu, Nepal” in the "3rd International International conference on Advances in Conference on Astronomy and Space Nanomaterials and device for Energy and Science" during 02-03, May 2019 in London, UK. Environment (ICAN-2019) during 27-29, January 2019, India.  Mr. Saroj Raj Shahi participated a Short-Term Training Course for Capacity Building in Space  Mr. Dinesh Kumar Chaudhary, CDP, TU, Application on Earth Observation Applications and participated 8th Asian conference on colloid & Research: Fundamentals, Emerging Technological interface Science (ACCIS 2019) during 24-27, Tools and Services for BIMSTEC Member States from September 2019 at IOE Pulchok, Nepal. 06-17 January 2020 at Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 5  Mr. Raj Kumar Rai, CDP TU participated and presented a  Mr. Suresh Banset and Mr. Rishi Ram paper entitled “ Electronic and magnetic properties of Pokhrel, CDP, TU participated in the “9th Heterostructures of ABO3 types alloys” in the International Conference on Frontiers of Plasma International conference on Correlative Advancement on Physics and Technology (FPPT-9)” during 8-12 Analytical and Applied Physics during 21-23, October 2019 April 2019 at Colombo, Sri Lanka . at St. Josheph’s College, North Point Darjelling , India  Mr. Bhujendra Nepali, Mr. Ganesh Kuwar Mr. Chhetri, Talks Program Raju Khanal, Mrs. Sangita Chaulagain, Mr. Santosh Dhungana, Mr. Suresh Basnet, and Mr. Vijay Kumar Jha CDP, TU, participated in the “12th International  Prof. Dr. Binil Aryal, HOD, Central Conference on Plasma Science & Applications (ICPSA Department of Physics, TU delivered a talk on 2019)” during 11-14 November 2019 at Lucknow, India. “Standard of curriculum and Proposed New st  Mr. Shyam Khanal, CDP, TU visited IIT Kanpur from +2 Physics Curriculum” on 1 January 2020 poush-28 to Magh 9 for academic discussion. at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Ghantaghar, Kathmandu, Nepal.  Mr. Basudev Ghimire, CDP, TU, participated and presented a paper entitled “Study on Correlation Between  Prof Dr. Pradeep Kumar Bhattarai, Former GPS-TEC and Geomagnetic Parameters Over Nepal in President of Nepal Physical Society delivered a The Year of 2016” in the AGU Fall Meeting during 09-12, talk on “Research Methodology and project December 2019 in San Francisco, CA, USA. works for B.Sc 4th year students” on 6th  Hari Adhikari, Homnath Adhikari, Krishna Lamsal, February 2020 at Physics Department of Monika Karki, Niranjan Dahal, Roshan Chalise, and Mahendra Multiple Campus, Nepalgunj, Nepal. Vijaya Shrestha from Amrit Campus, Lainchaur; Amrit Naharki, Parjapati Dahal, Parkash Joshi, Raju Khanal, Sandesh Devkota, Sangat Sharma, Santosh Panth, Satyanand Gupta, Shiva Bikram Thapa, Suresh Basnet, and Umesh Karki from Central Department of Physics, Kirtipur; Naharki, Parjapati Dahal, Parkash Joshi, Raju Khanal, Sandesh Devkota, Sangat Sharma, Santosh Panth, Satyanand Gupta, Shiva Bikram Thapa, Suresh Basnet, and Umesh Karki from Central Department of Physics, Kirtipur; Ganga Panday, Laxmi Khatiwada, Madhusudan Dhungana, Rekha Yogi, Sudan Dhakal, and Suman Kumar Chaulagain from Goden Gate International College, Battisputali; Bishnu Prasad Kandel from Laboratory College, Kirtipur; Sures  Dr. Rudra Aryal, Franklin Pierce University, Ghimire from Padamkanya HSS, Kathmandu; Arun USA, delivered a talk on “Measurement Kumar Shah, Basanta Raj Dangal, Narendra techniques and Aerosol optical properties” Chaudhary, Netra Prasad Bhandari, Nirmal K.C, Oat 2nd Magh 2076 at Tri-Chandra Multiple Bahadur Dhakal, Roshani Dahal, and Tulsi Ram Dumre Campus, Ghantaghar, Kathmandu, Nepal. from Patan Multiple Campus, Lalitpur participated in the 34th National Symposium on Plasma Science &  Dr. Ravinder Kumar, Gurukula Kangri Technology (PLASMA-2019) during 3-6 December, 2019 Vishwavidylaya, Haridwar (Uttarakhand), at VIT Chennai, India. delivered a talk on “India Smart Composite Materials for Environmental Sustainability” 22 Paush, 2076 at Patan Multiple Campus, Patandhoka Lalitpur.

 Dr. Hemwati Nandan, IUCAA Centre for Astronomy Research Development (ICARD), India, delivered a talk on “Matter and Forces in Our Universe” 22 Paush, 2076 at Patan Multiple Campus, Patandhoka Lalitpur.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 6  Dr. Tulashi P Dahal, Austin Community  Dr. Purushottam Tiwari, Georgetown University, College Austin, USA delivered a talk on “An Washington D.C., USA, delivered a talk on experimental study on thermoelectric and “Investigating Biomolecular Interactions: From mechanical properties testing of Method Development to Drug Discovery” 13th July skutterudite” 5th March 2020 at CDP, TU. 2019 at St. Xavier's College, Maitighar, Kathmandu.

 Dr. Niraj Dhital, Institute of Nuclear  Dr. Chandra B. Singh, Assistant Professor, South Physics, Polish Academy of Science, Western Institute for Astronomy Research, Yunnan delivered a talk on “Ultra-high Energy University, China delivered talk on “Accretion Cosmic Rays: Latest Results from the Ejection around Black Holes” at St. Xavier's College, Pierre Auger Observatory and Future Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus and Amrit Campus Perspectives”, 6th March 2020, at CDP, TU. on different occasions during February 2020.

 Prof. Dr. Bhola NS Ghimire, IOE Pulchwok  Dr. Santosh KC, San Jose State University, San Jose, T.U, delivered a talk on “How to write California, USA, delivered a talk on “Understanding technical articles and contribution of polarizations in Bismuth based multiferroics” 27 engineers to the society”, 26-27, October December 2020 at CDP, TU. 2019 at Lumbini Engineering College,  Dr. Sudip Khadka, Georgia State University, Atlanta Bhalwari Rupandehi, Nepal. USA, delivered a talk on “An Interactive Information th  Associate Prof. Dr. Gopi Chandra Kaphle, Session about SARS – 2 CORONA VIRUSES” 16 CDP, T.U, delivered a talk on “Ethical value May 2020 at NPS Western Chapter Pokhara. of writers and plagiarism”, 26-27, October  Prof. Dr. Shobha Kanta Lamichhane and Dr. Kapil 2019 at Lumbini Engineering College, Adhikari, PN Campus, Pokhara delivered a talk on Bhalwari Rupandehi, Nepal. “The Establishment of the Advanced Research  Dr. T. S. Velayutham, University of Malaya Centre as the Centre of Excellence of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology in the Gandaki delivered a talk on “Exploring Province”, 29th Falgun 2076 at Policy and Planning Opportunities for Collaboration Between Commission, Gandaki Province, Pokhara, Nepal. University of Malaya and Tribhuvan University”, 20th January 2020 at CDP, TU.  Dr. Kapil Adhikari, PN Campus, Pokhara delivered a  Dr. Hemwati Nandan, IUCAA, Center for talk on “Recent Trends / Issues in Physics, Challenges Astronomy Research Development, and to Overcome Them”, occasion of Vijaya Dashami (ICARD), India, delivered a talk on and Deepawali 2076 at NPS Western Chapter. “Kinematics of Deformations and Geodesic  Prof. Dr. CK Sarkar and Dr. Sanju Shrestha Flows in Diverse Contexts”, 8th January delivered a one-day seminar and talk on “Current 2020 at CDP, TU. Trends and Perspectives on Condensed Matter  Dr. Shiva Subedi, Ohio University (OU), Physics”, 2076 at PNC, Pokhara. Athens, USA, delivered a talk on “Nuclear  Mr. Devendra Raj Upadhyay, Amrit Campus, TU, astrophysics: Studying nucleosynthesis in delivered a talk on “Stellar Astrophysics-II”, 28-30, massive stars via laboratory experiments”, May 2019 at School on Astronomy & Space Science 3rd January 2020 at CDP, TU. organized by B. P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium.

 Dr. Madhav Pd. Ghimire, Tribhuvan  Mr. Prabhat Pant, Linköping University delivered a University, delivered a talk on “Dirac talk on “Neutron Scattering and use of Large-scale Fermions and Flat bands in Ideal Kagome facility” 28th January 2020 at St. Xavier's College, Metal FeSn ", 2nd January 2020 at CDP, TU. Maitighar, Kathmandu.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 7 Physics Related Activities and News Quantum Trap Based on Casimir Effect

Led by physicist Xiang Zhang at the University of The Nobel Prize in Physics 2019 California, Berkeley, a group of scientists has come up with a new method of trapping a nano-sized object The Nobel Prize in Physics 2019 was awarded "for without energy input, by taking advantage of Casimir contributions to our understanding of the evolution of effect. Dutch physicist Hendrik Casimir proposed an the universe and Earth's place in the cosmos" with interesting quantum phenomenon back in the 1940s: due to vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, one half to James Peebles "for theoretical discoveries when two electrically neutral surfaces only have a in physical cosmology", the other half jointly to nano-scaled distance between them, there could be an Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz "for the discovery attractive force. Zhang and colleagues found a way of of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star." manipulating the Casimir force, making it repulsive or attractive depending on the size of the gap between the two surfaces. By creating a stable Casimir equilibrium, the researchers developed a passive trapping mechanism that can confine an object (for example, a tiny gold flake) close to another object, with no external energy input. This could lead to the creative new application for operation in nanomechanical systems.

First photo of a Black Hole

There seems to be a significant news in science this year (2019) that the first image of a black hole, a result of years of intense observation and analyses conducted by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration. The Physics Breakthroughs in 2019 out-of-this-world image, a ring-shaped radiance surrounding a central dark void, is created from radio waves captured by the EHT network observatories Brain activity translated into synthetic speech around the globe. It gives us a visual impression of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy, at 55 million light-years away. Make no mistake In April 2019, a neuroscience collaboration between though: black holes themselves do not emit light due to the University of California San Francisco and their extreme density and gravitational field. But Columbia University reported the development of a scientists managed to capture a ginormous number of neuroprosthetic device (nicknamed a neural images of the event horizon, the edge of the decode) which is capable of reconstructing the brain supermassive black hole where gas and dust keep activity of a human subject into speeches that are spinning at ultra-high speed before finally getting understandable by humans. First, the team designed sucked in. Before 2019, a black hole was just a a modeling network that can map different neural theoretical phenomenon in our textbook. Now we have signals into movements of the vocal tract. And then, got one visualized. No wonder it was claimed as the they programed their machine to translate "one-way door out of our universe". movements into synthesized speeches. With further improvement and thorough testing, the researchers hoped that their decoder can help paralyzed individuals and patients with vocal tract issues to regain their ability to communicate orally. Also, since the neural decoder can directly read a person's thoughts, scientists may be able to device a new way for the human-computer interface. Figure: First photo of a Black Hole

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 8 Gift from American Institute of Physics In this regard, to develop Nepal into a research hub, we hope to invite researchers from around the world and encourage The Department of Physics, Amrit Campus (TU), interactions to help our national economic growth. Relating thankfully acknowledges the reception of 252 science to this important to note the fact that ISP was previously books gifted by American Institute of Physics, One funding the development of a research center in Sri Lanka through which our life member of NPS, Dr. Shriram Sharma Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD. The books are was invited for his PhD. extremely useful as reference books not only to Master’s and Bachelor’s level students but also to the faculties and scholars pursuing their Post Graduate research. These books can also be used by all interested students, faculties, and scholars to enrich their knowledge and understanding of physics. We would like to express sincere gratitude to the Directors of International Science Programme (ISP) of Uppsala University, Sweden for considering for such a gift to Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Fellowship

Mr. Devendra Raj Upadhyay, Assistant professor, Department of physics, Amrit campus, TU, Dr. Sanjeev Maharjan and Mr. Prakash Chandra Ghimire from Pulchok Campus, TU received IAEA’s technical cooperation programme for Training on Basic Non- Destructive Methods up to Level 2 at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency in Selangor, Malaysia, from 10 February International Science Program (ISP) Director’s visits 2020 to 5 June 2020. The purpose of training is to to Nepal facilitate the launching of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) curriculum at Tribhuvan University. An interaction program was organized between the Directors’ of International Science Programs, Uppsala University Sweden, and the Department of Physics, Activities organized by NPS Gandaki Chapter, Pokhara Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University on January13-15, 2020. In the program, the TU Science Dean, Prof. Dr. The Seventh National Science Day was celebrated by Ram P. Khatiwada, and Prof. Dr. Binil Aryal, Head conducting a talk program on “Science Technology and CDP introduced TU education system along with the Innovation Socio-economic Transformation” followed by present scenario of research facilities with respect to mass rally with play cards and banner by the grand international universities. The ISP directors, Professor participation of Physicists in this region. New Year (2020 Dr. Ernst Van Groningen and Associated Professor Dr. A.D.) greeting exchange program was organized. The Carla Puglia, visited Nepal to discuss the possibilities of preliminary selection test of students for the year 2020 for establishing a new research center at Amrit Campus National Physics Olympiad took place at PNC on 2076 with ISP's support in partnership with Tribhuvan Magh 11 (25 Jan 2020). There were 79 students from University, Nepal. The directors’ shared their purpose different Pokhara based educational institutions. The test of visit Nepal with the vice-chancellor of TU, Prof. Dr. was conducted on co-ordination of Mr. Min Raj Lamsal, Dharma Kanta Banskota. This will be a regional center President of NPS Western Chapter and Mr. Ravi Karki, once the submitted proposal is approved. Researchers Secretary of NPS Western Chapter. NPS Western Chapter from neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Department of Physics PNC jointly organized a picnic Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Thailand will be invited to program on 2076/10/ 04 at Destination Green Home Stay, join us. Khapaudi, Pokhara. New year (2076 B.S.) greeting exchange program was organized.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 9 Nepal Physical Society Executive Committee (2019-2021)

President Immediate Past President Vice President Secretary Prof. Dr. Narayan P. Chapagain Prof. Dr. Pradeep Kr. Bhattarai Prof. Dr. Leela Pradhan Joshi Dr. Gopi Chandra Kafle

J. Secretary Treasurer Editor in Chief Member Mr. Karan Giri Mrs. Sita Kandel Dr. Binod Adhikari Mrs. Sumana Gyawali

Member Member Member Associate Editor Associate Editor Mr. Khagendra Katuwal Mr. Subash Kr. Shrestha Mr. Ramesh Acharya Dr. Manoj Kr. Yadav Mr. Kiran Pudasainee

Advisory Board

Prof. Devendra Raj Misra Prof. Lok Narayan Jha Prof. Shekhar Gurung Prof. Shesh Kant Aryal

Prof. Uday Raj Khanal Prof. Sitaram P. Byahut Prof. Jeevan Jyoti Nakarmi Prof. Bhadra P. Pokharel

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 10 NPS Province-1 Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice-President Secretary Prof. Dr. Devendra Adhikari Mr. Jhaga Prasad Baral Dr. Shashit Kumar Yadav

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Mr. Prabhakar Oli Mr. Ramesh Kumar Gohivar Mr. Arjun Dhungana Mr. Arun Kumar Shrestha

Member Member Member Member Mr. Jiwan Dhital Mrs. Nirmala Bhandari Mr. Peshal Pokharel Mr. Prem Sagar Dahal

NPS Province-2 Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice-President Secretary Mr. Hareram Mishra Mr. Shiv Kumar Das Mr. Amirilal Yadav

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Mr. Jaya Kumar Yadav Mrs. Puspa Chaudhary Mr. Bulbul Chaudhary Mr. Kameshwar Mahaseth

Member Member Member Member Mr. Ramhit Yadav Mr. Brajbhushan jha Mr. Mukesh Kr. Yadav Mr. Sanjiv Upadyaya

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 11 NPS Bagamati Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice President Secretary Prof.Dr. Sitaram Bahadur Thapa Prof Dr. Harihar Paudyal Mr. Udaya_Bahadur Thapa

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Dr. Rajendra Adhikari Mr. Moti Bhusal Prof. Arun Kumar Shrestha Mrs. Sangeeta Chaulagain

Member Member Member Member Mr. Tej Bikram Thapa Mr. Ramesh Adhikari Mr. Surendra Regmi Mr. Upendra Giri

NPS Gandaki Chapter Executive Committee

President Immediate Past President Vice President Secretary Mr. Min Raj Lamsal Mr. Jeevan Regmi Mr. Sundar Prasad Dhakal Mr. Ravi Karki

J. Secretary Treasurer Editor Member Mr. Sujan Lamsal Mr. Dipak Adhikari Dr. Kapil Adhikari Mr. Laxman Thapa

Member Member Member Member Mr. Amrit Dhakal Mr. Narayan Prasad Bhandari Mr. Pradeep Subedi Mr. Laxman Timilsina

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 12 NPS Province-5 Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice-President: Secretary Prof. Dr. Ananta Panthi Dr. Bed Raj K.C Mr. Lakshminath Bhattarai

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Mr. Chudamani Rajaure Mr. Shalikaram Bhandari Mr. Aashish Chaudhary Mr. Dharmabandhu Poudel

Member Member Member Member Mr. Naresh Acharya Mr. Santosh Kumar K.C. Ms. Shanta Sharma Mr. Shishir Adhikary

NPS Karnali Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice-President Secretary Mr. Tarani Prasad Yadav Mr. Dharma Raj Paudel Mr. Krishna Prasad Chapai

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Mr. Bhim Bahadur BC Mr. Anil Kumar Gurung Mr. Amrit Basnet Mr. Dinesh Kandel

Member Member Member Member Mr. Dipak Kumar Acharya Mr. Gajendra Pun Mr. Jagat Pandey Mr. Madhab Chapain

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 13 NPS Far-Western Chapter Executive Committee

President Vice-President Secretary Dr. Bhawani Datt Joshi Mr. Prakash Raj Pant Mr. Bhim Singh Thagunna

J. Secretary Treasurer Member Member Mr. Badri Poudel Mr. Krishna Dev Bhatt Mr. Anil Ojha Mr. Prem Raj Joshi

Member Member Member Member Mr. Ramesh Joshi Mr. Ramesh Prasad Pandeya Mr. Ran Bdr Bist Ms. Reshma Basukalu

 Mr. Dinesh Kumar Chaudhary, PhD scholar, Congratulations TU, received a Royal Society of Chemistry Book prize at 8th Asian conference on colloid & interface Science (ACCIS 2019) during NPS would like to express a wholeheartedly September 24-27, 2019 at IOE Pulchok, Nepal congratulation and extend best wishes to recently PhD graduates in Physics from Nepal.  Dr. Ajaya Kumar Jha  Prof. Fanindra P. Lohani Award was  Dr. Arjun Kumar Gautam honored to Prof. Dr. Vishwo N. P. Kurmi, from  Dr. Shiv Narayan Yadav Nepalgunj on November 2019.  Dr. Ghanshyam Thakur  Dr. Kishori Yadav  Dr. ShashitKumat Yadav  Dr. Suresh Kumar Guptaand  Dr. Saran Lamichhane  Dr. Manoj Kumar Thapa  Dr. Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha  Dr. Khimananda Neupane  Dr. Bed Raj K. C.  Dr. Ram Koirala

Awards

Mr. Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, Amrit Campus, TU, received Indian Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF-2019), provided by Centre for Co- Operation in Science and Technology among Developing Societies (CCSTDS), India.

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 14 Obituary of Nobel Laureate, Philip Warren Anderson

The Physics community of world was saddened on Sunday, March 29, 2020 with the news of the demise of Emeritus Professor, Philip Warren Anderson (96) of Princeton University, New Jersey, USA, one of the greatest theoretical physicists of the postwar era. Philip Anderson was born on Dec. 13, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in Urbana, Illinois, where his father was a member of the faculty of the University of Illinois. He attended Harvard University as an undergraduate and, after a brief period at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory building antennas, earned his PhD at Harvard in 1949 under Dr. John Hasbrouck van Vleck. Late Prof. Anderson contributed tremendously to the understanding of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetic and spontaneously broken symmetries across physics while working at Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, USA. Anderson’s research was mainly focused on the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems, which influenced the development of electronic switching and memory devices in computers. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1977, sharing with van Vleck and Sir Nevill Francis Mott. He also contributed to the Anderson-Higgs mechanism, which is a key basis for the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Anderson’s concept of how extended electron states can be localized by the presence of disorder in a system is known as Anderson localization. Through this work, he became a central inspirational paradigm in the field. In 1962, Anderson nicely illustrated how a photon acquires mass inside a superconductor. Anderson’s theory preceded the Nobel Prize winning work of Peter Higgs and Francois Englert on the mechanism for understanding the origin of mass which later became the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

Obituary of Mrs. Durga Manandhar Basnet

Nepal Physical Society suffered this year from a tragedy: the loss of life of Mrs. Durga Manandhar Basnet, Life Member of NPS. The society expressed condolence to the family and the closet friends on sudden death of Mrs. Durga Manandhar Basnet, and heartily pray that her soul finds peace.

Contact Address

Nepal Physical Society

P.O. Box: 2934

Tri-Chandra College,

Ghantaghar, Kathmandu, Nepal URL: www.nps.org.np

e-mail: [email protected]

Newsletter Volume 37 (Issue: June 2020) | 15 Gallery

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