Department of Physics - Ashoka University

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Department of Physics

The department of physics started in 2017 and has been growing in size and scope to encompass a number of contemporary research areas. Our key focus research areas currently are Condensed Matter Physics (Soft and Hard), Biophysics, Astrophysics, Cosmology and Quantum Field theory. Please refer to the faculty profile pages for more information on the research interests of our faculty members.

We have a PhD program in physics where we aim to select motivated and committed students with a passion for research and to train them to be active and independent researchers.

Our undergraduate physics program provides a solid grounding  in the traditional core undergraduate physics curriculum and also an opportunity for students to pursue more eclectic interests in the sciences or beyond. Besides pursuing higher studies in physics, students get the necessary training and skills which can be used in other scientific fields and interdisciplinary endeavors.

The details of courses (graduate and undergraduate) taught at the physics department can be found here.

Programmes

Undergraduate Program in Physics

Undergraduate Program in Physics

Physics is many things to many people. It is a doorway to some of the most beautiful and…

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PhD in Physics

PhD in Physics

The Department of Physics at Ashoka University periodically invites applications for its Ph.D. program. Information about PhD recruitment…

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Physics Faculty

The department of Physics has faculty members working on a wide rage of topics including Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Soft Matter Systems, Biophysics, Cosmology and Quantum Field Theory.

Somendra M. Bhattacharjee
Somendra M. Bhattacharjee

Professor of Physics Ashoka University

PhD Carnegie Mellon University

Dipankar Bhattacharya
Dipankar Bhattacharya

Head of the Department, Physics, Sunanda and Santimay Basu Professor of Astrophysics, Ashoka University

PhD Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Suratna Das
Suratna Das

Assistant Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

PhD Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

Pramoda Kumar
Pramoda Kumar

Assistant Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. CeNS, Bangalore

Gautam Menon
Gautam Menon

Professor of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Garima Mishra
Garima Mishra

Assistant Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Amin A. Nizami
Amin A. Nizami

Associate Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Cambridge

Bikram Phookun
Bikram Phookun

Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

PhD, University of Maryland

Somak Raychaudhury
Somak Raychaudhury

Former Vice-Chancellor Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

PhD in Astrophysics, University of Cambridge

Susmita Saha
Susmita Saha

Assistant Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. S. N. Bose National Center for Basic Science, India

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Sanjay Jain
Sanjay Jain

Visiting Faculty of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Sujan Sengupta
Sujan Sengupta

Visiting Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Kandaswamy Subramanian
Kandaswamy Subramanian

Visiting Professor of Astrophysics, Ashoka University

Ph. D. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (University of Bombay)

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Research

Astrophysics and Cosmology (Theoretical/Observational/Computational)

Astrophysics and Cosmology (Theoretical/Observational/Computational)

Astrophysics is a branch of space science that uses the principles of physics and chemistry to understand the universe. It explores the birth, life, and death of stars, galaxies, planets, and other cosmic objects, as well as the fundamental nature of space and time. Cosmology is a branch of physics and metaphysics dealing with the nature of the universe, the cosmos.The aim of cosmology is to apply laws of physics to the universe as a whole. Observations tell us that the universe is neither eternal nor static, and therefore it raises questions as to when and how did the universe start? What did it look like in the past? How will it evolve in the future? Astrophysics is closely related to astronomy and cosmology, often working in collaboration to address complex questions about the universe.

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Quantum Physics (Theoretical)

Quantum Physics (Theoretical)

Quantum Field theory is a well-tested framework describing nature across a wide range of length / energy scales, with diverse applications across Particle Physics, Cosmology, Condensed Matter Physics and other areas of physics. Within this domain, the work in the department has focussed on Conformal Quantum Field Theories of different kinds - relativistic, non-relativistic and supersymmetric. Also under active investigation are topics spanning Quantum information and Quantum many-body theory. In particular, recent work has focussed on quantum complexity measures with a view towards the study of chaos in non-integrable quantum dynamics.

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Condensed Matter Physics and Biophysics

Condensed Matter Physics and Biophysics

Research in condensed matter physics explores the physical properties of matter in regimes where the interactions between constituent particles are significant enough to lead to collective behaviour. Modern condensed matter physics, both experimental and theoretical, includes quantum mechanical systems as well as systems that can be understood largely through classical physics. It includes the study of magnetism, semiconductors and superconductors, focusing on elucidating fundamental phenomena including collective excitations, topological order, and quantum phase transitions. Soft condensed matter physics, sometimes called the physics of complex fluids, investigates materials that are easily deformable. Such systems exhibit novel and often nonlinear flow properties. They include polymers, colloids, gels, fluids and liquid crystals. These can be modeled using tools of statistical mechanics.

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Abstract: I will discuss three independent lines of evidence that point to M31's stellar disk being thick: (1) measured trends in the reddening of red giant stars as a function of sky position caused by the thin layer of interstellar dust indicate that the stellar disk is geometrically thick, with a scale height of ~ 1 kpc; (2) red giant stars in the disk are observed to have a high line-of-sight velocity dispersion (~ 50–70 km/s) in our group's SPLASH survey; and (3) the observed chemical abundance trend in [alpha/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] space is similar to that of the MilkyWay thick disk, not the Milky Way thin disk. I will also present a comparison of the resolved stellar population kinematics of M31 and M33 as a function of stellar age and galactocentric radius and what they may be telling us about the dynamical heating of these two galactic disks.



About the Speaker: Prof Puragra (Raja) GuhaThakurta is a Distinguished Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UCSC. He is theFaculty Director/Founder of Creating Equity in STEAM (CrEST) and the founder of the CrEST programs StS, PyaR, SIP, and the Global SPHERE Network. He and his students conduct research in observational astrophysics – their areas of interest include the structure, dynamics, formation, and evolution of the stellar halos and stellar disks of galaxies, galactic archaeology, dark matter, dwarf galaxies, chemical enrichment, and rare phases of stellar evolution. This research makes extensive use of the Keck telescopes, Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, Lick Observatory Shane telescope, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Subaru Telescope, etc. Beyond the CrEST programs, he has served as an instructor for the COSMOS program for many years and currently serves as an instructor for the Project for Inmate Education at Santa Cruz County Jail. He was awarded the AAS Education Prize in 2025. In his imaginary spare time, Raja enjoys spending time with his family, art (detailed portraiture), and playing/watching a variety of sports.



We look forward to your active participation.


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Abstract: I will discuss three independent lines of evidence that point to M31's stellar disk being thick: (1) measured trends in the reddening of red giant stars as a function of sky position caused by the thin layer of interstellar dust indicate that the stellar disk is geometrically thick, with a scale height of ~ 1 kpc; (2) red giant stars in the disk are observed to have a high line-of-sight velocity dispersion (~ 50–70 km/s) in our group's SPLASH survey; and (3) the observed chemical abundance trend in [alpha/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] space is similar to that of the MilkyWay thick disk, not the Milky Way thin disk. I will also present a comparison of the resolved stellar population kinematics of M31 and M33 as a function of stellar age and galactocentric radius and what they may be telling us about the dynamical heating of these two galactic disks.



About the Speaker: Prof Puragra (Raja) GuhaThakurta is a Distinguished Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at UCSC. He is theFaculty Director/Founder of Creating Equity in STEAM (CrEST) and the founder of the CrEST programs StS, PyaR, SIP, and the Global SPHERE Network. He and his students conduct research in observational astrophysics – their areas of interest include the structure, dynamics, formation, and evolution of the stellar halos and stellar disks of galaxies, galactic archaeology, dark matter, dwarf galaxies, chemical enrichment, and rare phases of stellar evolution. This research makes extensive use of the Keck telescopes, Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, Lick Observatory Shane telescope, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Subaru Telescope, etc. Beyond the CrEST programs, he has served as an instructor for the COSMOS program for many years and currently serves as an instructor for the Project for Inmate Education at Santa Cruz County Jail. He was awarded the AAS Education Prize in 2025. In his imaginary spare time, Raja enjoys spending time with his family, art (detailed portraiture), and playing/watching a variety of sports.



We look forward to your active participation.


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News

Events

News

Modeling How Mpox Spreads in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Modeling How Mpox Spreads in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Sep 11 , 2026 04:09

Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology at Ashoka University, talks about his recently published study titled, “Simulating a potential…

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Ashoka News
Axis Bank Post-doctoral Programme at Ashoka University

Axis Bank Post-doctoral Programme at Ashoka University

Apr 01 , 2025 11:04

Applications are now open for the new Axis Bank Post-doctoral Programme at Ashoka University.

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Ashoka News
‘In science, if you think what you are doing is a burden then you are not doing it right’

‘In science, if you think what you are doing is a burden…

Sep 28 , 2022 01:09

Dipankar Bhattacharya, Head of the Department, Physics and the Sunanda and Santimay Basu Professor of Astrophysics at Ashoka University, elaborates…

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Ashoka News
Ashoka University’s Faculty Susmita Saha awarded the prestigious Ramanujan Fellowship 

Ashoka University’s Faculty Susmita Saha awarded the prestigious Ramanujan Fellowship 

Feb 17 , 2022 02:02

The Science and Engineering Research Board has instituted the fellowship to enable brain gain and offer Indian Scientists working abroad…

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Ashoka News
Ashoka’s nonconventional interdisciplinary approach towards natural sciences: The success of the maiden Physics batch

Ashoka’s nonconventional interdisciplinary approach towards natural sciences: The success of the maiden…

Aug 06 , 2021 09:08

The performance of the first Physics undergraduate batch upholds Ashoka’s interdisciplinary approach to teaching sciences.

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Ashoka News
Webinar – Why Study Physics at Ashoka? with Prof. Gautam Menon

Webinar – Why Study Physics at Ashoka? with Prof. Gautam Menon

Feb 20 , 2021 09:02

Join us on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM

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Ashoka News
Ashoka University and Life Lab Foundation Host Science Seminar on Higgs Boson particle

Ashoka University and Life Lab Foundation Host Science Seminar on Higgs Boson…

Aug 04 , 2017 09:08

This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high-school students and teachers to delve into the realm of High Energy Physics.

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Ashoka News
Ashoka University and Life Lab Foundation host virtual science seminar on the Higgs boson Particle

Ashoka University and Life Lab Foundation host virtual science seminar on the…

Aug 04 , 2017 09:08

The seminar gave high school students and teachers an opportunity to delve into the realm of High Energy Physics.

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Ashoka News

In the Media

Physics Seminar_The Thick Stellar Disk of Andromeda and a Comparison to the Triangulum Galaxy

Physics Seminar_The Thick Stellar Disk of Andromeda and a Comparison to the Triangulum Galaxy

November 11 @ 1:30 pm
View All Events

Contact Us

For any queries regarding Physics programmes, please contact: -

Dipankar Bhattacharya

Head of Department

hod.phy@ashoka.edu.in

Suratna Das

UG Course Coordinator

ug.physics@ashoka.edu.in

Susmita Saha

Ph.D. Programme Coordinator

physics.phd@ashoka.edu.in

Amin A Nizami

Colloquium Coordinator

amin.nizami@ashoka.edu.in

Raunak Chaudhary

UG Student Representative

phys.rep@ashoka.edu.in

Shiwani Katiyar

Department Administrative Manager

physics.dept@ashoka.edu.in

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