ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 2012 Raman Research Institute Bangalore Sir C V Raman CONTENTS Introduction From the Director 6 About the Institute History 7 RRI at a Glance 10 Areas of Research Astronomy and Astrophysics Overview 15 Ongoing Research 20 Light and Matter Physics Overview 41 Ongoing Research 44 Soft Condensed Matter Overview 53 Ongoing Research 56 Theoretical Physics Overview 73 Ongoing Research 76 Facilities 84 Academic Programs 89 People at RRI 91 Publications 104 Other Activities 105 Appendices 111 Statement of Accounts 169 from the DIRECTOR The annual report of the Raman Research naturally includes the conduct of specialised Institute for the year 2011-12 is a summary of seminars on technical topics targeted at the research and academic activities of the specialised audiences as well as colloquia in a institute during the year. wider range of topics that are delivered in a style that strives to make current advances The annual report, as in the past, presents intelligible to a wider community. synopses of the ongoing knowledge creation activities in the different research groups, many Outreach activities include facilitating the of which have outcomes in the form of involvement of students of a local school to publications in refereed scientific journals. The help collect astronomical data as part of an institute considers the transmission of international project, and helping a school knowledge an important activity; this also located in hinterland to reinstall the dome at its includes the guidance of students for the campus to start an optical telescope, as well as conferment of PhD degrees as part of the PhD writings intended for a lay and discerning programme of the Institute, as well as the active audience and the delivery of motivational talks Visiting Students Programme under which a at educational institutions. number of students from all over the country Included in this report are lists of publications visit the institute for stays ranging from a few in refereed journals, conference proceedings as weeks to several months and participate in the well as in monographs, books and in popular many research activities of RRI. It also periodicals, PhD degrees awarded during the continued holding schools in where students period 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 as well and young scientists from across the country as seminars and review meetings focused on participated. current research, which were held at the Communications of the ongoing research and institute. The report also lists the scientists who also a sharing of knowledge of current research have visited the institute from within India and – in professional talks given by members of the from overseas during the period. Institute in conferences and in external institutions as well as journal review talks at the institute – is another aspect of our knowledge Bangalore diffusion. A cultural function of a premier August 31, 2012 research institute is the upholding and Ravi Subrahmanyan promotion of academic traditions and this Director 6 a bit of HISTORY Before being immersed in the current exciting research activities conducted at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), take a few moments to read about its history. In between the collection of historical facts you’ll discover a story about the power of basic human curiosity – the invisible foundation on which RRI was built and managed by its founder Sir CV Raman and subsequently by his successors. 7 n 1934, while still the director of the Indian From the very first moment of its foundation Institute of Science (IISc), Raman started the Raman undertook the management of his new IIndian Academy of Sciences and attracted institute with immense vigour and enthusiasm. most of the best young scientists of that time, He not only designed the main building with the who published their work in world renowned help of an architect, but also took great interest journals of physics and chemistry. That same in the arrangement of the whole premises. He year, the Maharajah of Mysore gifted to the planted trees, decorative bushes and flowers Academy 11 acres of land in the north side of turning the barren land around into a beautiful Bangalore. A few years later, Raman proposed garden. A walk in that garden was an that an independent research institute be built indispensable part of his daily life. The initial on those premises and an agreement with the staff in the new institute consisted of four Academy was signed. The new centre was people including Raman himself. The lack of named after its founder – Raman Research electricity during the first two years didn’t affect Institute. Raman’s thirst for knowledge and Raman embarked on a number of long journeys understanding the wonders of Nature. Great throughout the country to raise funds for the scientific work was carried out during these new institute. In 1943, the collected sum, along years using a few lenses and a manually with his personal savings, was allotted for the operated heliostat. In order to support his staff construction of the first building. Its initial and expand scientific activities at RRI, Raman, completion coincided with the retirement of Sir who was unwilling to take money from the CV Raman from IISc in 1948 and in the government, started a couple of chemical beginning of 1949 he shifted all his activities industries along with one of his former there. students. He used the profit to pay his staff and 8 equip his laboratories. In the years to come, the year, Venkatraman Radhakrishnan was invited institute kept expanding – soon there was a to be the Director of RRI. A renowned scientist new library, a few other buildings and a himself, Radhakrishnan not only fulfilled CV museum holding Raman’s personal collection of Raman’s desire to build an observatory at RRI gems, crystals and minerals. Until his death in but formed a strong group in Astronomy and November 1970, Raman kept working tirelessly Astrophysics whose research work today is for the development and growth of the Raman regarded highly worldwide. Until the mid 90s, Research Institute. the two main areas of research were Liquid Crystals and Astronomy and Astrophysics. The After his death, the Academy created a public constant growth of RRI and the expansion of the charitable trust: the Raman Research Institute research interests of its members led to the Trust. The lands, buildings, deposits, securities, establishment of two new groups – Theoretical bank deposits, moneys, laboratories, Physics and Light and Matter Physics. The instruments, and all other movable and Liquid Crystal group was renamed Soft immovable properties held by the Academy for Condensed Matter which conveys more the Raman Research Institute were transferred accurately the diverse research activities of its to the RRI Trust. The foremost function of the members. RRI Trust was to maintain, conduct and sustain the Raman Research Institute. Today, RRI research faculty, scientific staff and students conduct active research in the above In 1972, the institute started receiving funds mentioned four scientific fields inspired by the from the Department of Science and Technology example of the founder – Sir CV Raman. of the Government of India which, since then, has been its main funding source. The same 9 at a GLANCE Mission RRI is engaged in fundamental research in the areas of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Light and Matter Physics, Soft Condensed Matter and Theoretical Physics as a part of the global endeavour to increase human knowledge and understanding of the world. Director The current director of the Raman Research Institute is Ravi Subrahmanyan. Organisation RRI is an autonomous research institute. The supreme body of RRI is the RRI Trust. The director is the chief executive and academic officer. The Governing Council is the executive body responsible for the administration and management of the Raman Research Institute. The Finance Committee helps the Council with financial matters. Location RRI is located on a 20-acre plot in the north of Bangalore City, the IT capital of India. It offers a quiet refuge from the bustling megapolis as well as a natural environment that is highly conducive to creative scientific work. 10 Research Areas Astronomy and Astrophysics Light and Matter Physics Soft Condensed Matter Education Theoretical Physics RRI offers the following academic programmes: – PhD Programme Facilities – Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme – Visiting Student Programme 1. LABORATORIES: RAL/Electronics Lab X-ray Astronomy Lab Funding Quantum Optics Lab RRI is funded by the Department of Science Laser Cooling and Light Propagation Lab and Technology, Government of India. Quantum Interactions Lab Non Linear Optics Lab Laser-induced Plasma Lab Chemistry Lab Faculty, Physical Measurements Lab Staff & Liquid Crystal Display Lab Rheology and Light Scattering Lab Students X-Ray Diffraction Lab Research Faculty 46 Biophysics Lab Scientific/Technical 49 Electrochemistry and Surface Science Lab Administrative 28 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Mechanical Workshop PhD Students 56 Glass Blowing Facility 2. LIBRARY 3. COMPUTER FACILITIES 11 Organisation GBD Field Station Aswathappa Accounts Subramanya A&A Udaya Shankar Purchase Ramamurthy TP Sanjib Sabhapandit Stores B Murthy SCM Sandeep Kumar Security Ganapathy Director LAMP Ravi Subrahmanyam Sadiq Rangwala Horticulture (Chairman) R Sasidharan Administration K Krishnamaraju Canteen K Raghunatha Srihari Library Public Relations B Meera Ram Head, Research Facilities Buildings Hema Ramachandran Suresh Computer