Department of Physics

Genesis

Year of Establishment

The Department of Physics is one of the oldest departments in this University.

This department was started in the year 1974, as a Post-Graduate Center of Physics by erstwhile Madras University. After the establishment of Bharathiar University by Government of Tamilnadu in the year 1982, this department became the Department of Physics of Bharathiar University. In 2007, Bharathiar University has constituted different Schools and this department has become a constituent unit of School of Physical Sciences.

Over the years, the department has become one of the best centres for quality higher learning offered at the level of post-graduate and research programs.


Salient Features

The competence of the department over the years has been recognized by the Central and State Governments. As a hallmark, UGC has recognized the department as a “Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA)”and sanctioned Rs. 3.6 Crores to establish research facilities in order to carryout specialized research on “Solar Energy Materials and Devices”. Likewise, Government of Tamil Nadu has accredited this department as the “Centre of Excellence” for PG and research programs with a financial support of Rs. 2.5 Crores, to establish the state of the art infrastructure facilities and advanced research laboratories on par with international standards.

At National level, Government of India opulently supports the department through the schemes like DST-FIST (Level-0 & 1) with funding at the tune of Rs. 3.5 Crores, and DST-PURSE program (Phase-I & II), both pertaining to the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India. Furthermore, University Grants Commission has accredited the department under the Special Assistance Program (SAP. DRS- I & II) and sanctioned Rs. 1.5 Crores. Apart from these major funding’s, Faculty members operate major research projects from various funding agencies like, UGC, CSIR, DST, DRDO, BRNS, BRFST and international agencies.


Thrust Areas of Research

The Faculty members of the department carry out research in many frontier areas, which includes experimental condensed matter physics, theoretical and computational physics.


Materials Research

· Crystallization of bio, food & pharma materials, Crystals with high SHG

· Quantum dot based sensors

· Biopolymer Electrolytes

· Nano-structured electrode materials for super-capacitors

· Plasma waste treatment

· Surface Science and Bio-interface

Theoretical and Computational Research

· Molecular Quantum Mechanics

· Nuclear Physics – Low energy reactions and decay

· Plasma Material Processing,

· CFD modeling and Heat pipes

· Atomistic Simulation


The research works of the faculty members and students of the department have been recognized by National / International institutions in terms of awards/fellowships.

Miles Stones of the Department

• In 1974, as a Dept. in the PG Centre of University of Madras, Coimbatore started with research programmes in the field of Thin Film Research

• In 1982, the Department became a constituent part of Bharathiar University.

• In 1984, Plasma research lab was established.

• In 1988, Solid State Ionics lab and Molecular modelling labs were established.

• During 2002-2007, DST supported the department under FIST program at Level -0 support with a financial sanction of twenty lakhs. With this support a computer lab was established

• In 2005, Nuclear theory lab and Nano materials labs were established.

• During 2007-2012, UGC sanctioned a Reader post for the Innovative Course of Post graduate diploma in Nano Science.

• In 2008, Crystal growth lab and Molecular Quantum mechanics labs were established.

• During 2008-2013, under the UGC-SAP (DRS-I) support, High performance computing lab, DSC and vacuum coating facilities were created.

• In 2009, Atomistic simulation lab and energy devices lab was established.

• During 2008-2013, Powder XRD facility and FTIR facility was created with the support of DST – FIST Level – I

• During 2010-2015, Single crystal XRD facility was created and a state of the art lab was established with the support of DST – PURSE grant

• In 2012, Tamilnadu government recognized this Department as center of excellence.

• During 2013-2014, two faculty members joined at the level of Associate Professor and Assistant Professor under the UGC- FRP scheme. The plasma modelling and simulation lab and surface and interface labs were established in this period.

• During 2015-2020, DST supported again the department under FIST Level – I.

• In 2014, Molecular simulation lab was established

• In 2015 Environment Control Plasma was established.

• During 2016-2021, UGC supported the department under SAP (DRS-II). With this support Laser lab for material characterization and upgradation of FTIR was carried out.

• In 2016, UGC recognized this department as a “Centre for potential with excellence in Particular Area” to carry out research related to solar materials.

• In 2017-2018, research innovation in solar materials was carried out with RUSA support.


Roll of Honour - Former Faculty Members

Prof. M. Radhakrishnan was the first Professor and Head of the erstwhile P.G. Centre of University of Madras. He was one of the founder members for the creation of thin films laboratory in the University.

Prof. C. Balasubramanian joined in the department as a Reader in the year of 1974 at PG center. He held positions in the University such as Head of Department of Physics, Member of the Syndicate and Dean of Science. He is one of the founder members who has developed thin films laboratory in the department. During his period, M.Sc. Physics programme was started in the year 1989.

Prof. Sa. K. Narayanadass was the first Ph.D. student of this department and later he joined in the Department as a Lecturer in the year 1984 and subsequently he was promoted as a Reader and Professor and served as Head, Department of Physics from 1994 to his year of retirement in 2005. He is the person who established thin films laboratory as one of the best thin films laboratories across the country.

Prof. V. Selvarajan joined in the Department as a Lecturer in the year 1985 and subsequently he was promoted as a Reader and Professor and retired in the year 2007. He established the plasma laboratory in the University which became one of the best plasma processing laboratories in the country. During his period UGC innovative course on P.G. Diploma on Nanoscience and Technology was started.

Prof. S. Selvasekarapandian joined in the Department as a Reader in 1988 and subsequently he was promoted as a Professor and retired in the year 2007. He established the research laboratory in radiation physics and solid state Ionics in the University. He was instrumental in starting the M. Sc., Medical Physics programme in the Department. He was the Head in-charge for the Department of Nanoscience and Technology in the year 2007.

Prof. P. Kolandaivel joined in the Department as a Lecturer in 1988 and was promoted as Reader and Professor and retired in the year 2016. He held positions such as Head Department of Physics, Head i/c for Medical Physics, Dean-Research, Director of School of Physical Sciences, Special officer (in-charge) and Registrar (in-charge) in the University. He introduced the research area of molecular quantum mechanics in the university. During his period, a modern state of the art building for Physics and Medical Physics departments was constructed and occupied. After retirement he joined as UGC-BSR fellow and continued in the position till the period of 2018 when he became the Vice-Chancellor of Periyar Univeristy.

Prof. D. Mangalraj joined in the Department as a Lecturer in 1988. Subsequently he was promoted as Reader and Professor. In 2007, he became as a Professor and Head for the Department of Nano Science and Technology. During his period, he created well equipped thin films laboratory in the University.


Period of Service

1978-1986

Period of Service

1974-1989

Period of Service

1984-2005

Period of Service

1985-2007

Period of Service

1988-2007

Period of Service

1988-2016

Period of Service

1988-2007