Astrophysics applies the laws of physics to study astronomical objects such as planets, stars and galaxies. Cosmology is the study of the origin and evolution of the Universe as a whole. Our research in this area is focussed on: (1) Formation and evolution of galaxies (2) Reionization (3) The Milky Way and metal poor stars (4) Astrophysical fluid dynamics. Galaxies serve as laboratories for our research, and they are the building blocks of the Universe. Understanding their formation and their impact on the ionization state of the Universe are unsolved problems that are a focus of study for powerful telescopes such as the Hubble and the JWST. We are investigating the formation of galaxies analytically as well as with the state of the art cosmological N-body simulations such as EAGLE. We also collaborate with VIRGO consortium, ASTRO-3D and with observational astronomers worldwide who use powerful radio telescopes (e.g. MWA and SKA) to look at the epoch when first stars and galaxies were formed. Members: Dr. Mahavir Sharma

The Thin-Film and Photovoltaics Group (TPG) focuses on the basic understanding of thin-film growth and techniques by which their electro-optical properties can be tailored according to the target application. The acquired knowledge is then applied in energy-efficient devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), transistors and photovoltaic cells to make them inexpensive, reliable and energy-efficient. Members: Dr. Dhriti S. Ghosh

Properties and applications of nanostructures highly depend on their structural properties. For many applications like plasmonic sensing, optical coatings, and colloidal experiments etc. a precise control on the structural properties is crucial. Active Micro and Nanosystems (AMN) group explores the advanced techniques like Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) in combination with lithography and Langmuir-Blodgett methods to fabricate the designer nanostructures with precise control on shape, size and material structure of sizes down to sub 100 nm. Members: Dr. Dhruv P. Singh

Ultrafast spectroscopy group explores hybrids of TMDCs and other 2D materials, which offer rather exciting properties. Since, the efficiency of hybrid photonic devices depends on the life-time of the excited carriers, we focus on unfolding the fundamental time-scales, thereby determining the electronic and optical coupling across the interface. We also employ photoelectron spectroscopy to unveil the electronic band structure and band alignment. Members: Dr. Sesha Vempati

Computational physics is one of the core-areas of fundamental and applied research. We have been exploring this domain on hybrids of 2D materials due to their excellent applicability in various domains. We use first-principle density functional theory to calculate the band structure and other optical properties. We employ VESTA and XCrysDen to model our system and Quantum Espresso for calculations. Members: Dr. Sesha Vempati

Even after spectacular successes of Standard Model (SM) of particle physics, the theory has been crippled with certain theoretical questions like baryon asymmetry of the universe, dark matter, dark energy and some experimental findings like non-zero neutrino mass and mixing etc to which it awaits further theoretical formulation.The group at IIT Bhilai, within the purview of Particle Physics and Astroparticle Physics, is interested in understanding the new physics beyond the Standard Model, which includes gauge theory of leptons and baryons, left-right symmetric models, Pati-Salam theory of SU(4) color and grand unified theories (SO(10), E6 GUTs) in the context of testable neutrino mass generation mechanisms, LNV, LFV, neutrinoless double beta decay, proton decay, dark matter, matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe and Large Hadron Collider (LHC) prospects. The focus is, also, to use the neutrino portal as a beacon to explore the new physics beyond the SM through a synergetic exploration at three interrelated frontiers of particle physics, namely, the Energy, Intensity and Cosmic Frontiers. Members: Dr. Sudhanwa Patra

Quark Gluon Plasma is a deconfined phase of nuclear matter, which can be produced in laboratories of heavy ion collision experiments like RHIC (at BNL, USA) and LHC (at CERN, Switzerland). One of the theoretical groups in IIT Bhilai works on this topic, where they have used different mathematical frameworks, based on Quantum Field Theory at finite temperature, Statistical mechanics, Fluid dynamics of relativistic particles etc. Members: Dr. Sabyasachi Ghosh

Soft condensed matter is a relatively new discipline in the interface between physics, chemistry and biology. It refers to the study of the materials that are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations and external forces. At IIT Bhilai, the Active Micro and Nanosystems (AMN) group is interested in experimental study of soft matter physics which includes the active matter, micro-nanorobots and nanomotors, self-assembly of colloids, and active rheological fluids etc. In addition to the development of these new materials the group is also interested in understanding the physics of biological systems using experimental models and concepts of the soft matter physics. Members: Dr. Dhruv P. Singh