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Physics

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Physics

Fifty golden years of merit and excellence, have rolled by in the history of the Physics Department, which was installed in the year 1959. Right from its origin, Work is worship had been the unwritten motto of the department, handed over from generation to generation. The staff members of the academic and non- academic cadre had ever been the stronghold of the department, who had played the key role in her outstanding performance in all the diversified fields of activity, especially in the field of academics. Over the years the students of Physics had been offered high quality education, with special personal care extended to the socially and economically weaker strata of society.

Teaching staff

LIST OF TEACHING AND NONTEACHING STAFF

Head of the Department : Mrs.Tessy Joseph (MSc, MPhil)

Smt. Sajimol Augustine M	M.Sc., M.Phil (on F.I.P. Leave)	Associate Professor
Dr. Rose P Ignatius	M. Sc.,M.Phil., Ph.D	Associate Professor
Dr. Kala M S	M. Sc., Ph.D	Associate Professor
Priya Parvathy Ameena Jose	M. Sc., M. Phil	Assistant Professor
Mary Vinaya	M. Sc, B. Ed	Assistant Professor
Mary Linsa K S	M. Sc	Assistant Professor
Dr. Santhi A	MSc, MPhil, PhD, Post Doctoral	Assistant Professor
Minu Pius	MSc	Assistant Professor
Susan Mathew	MSc	Assistant Professor
Eligia James	MSc	Guest Lecturer
Sajitha P George	MSc	Guest Lecturer
Mr. Pearl Antony		Nonteaching staff
Mrs. Rosalind		Nonteaching staff
Mr. Anush		Nonteaching staff

STARS

Following is the list of our retired staff

Teaching Staff

Mrs. Ammini Joseph

Sr Marita

Mrs. Daisy A Punnose

Mrs. Anne K A

Mrs. Lucy V J

Dr. Annie Joseph Vallamattom

Mrs. Shalini Rose M

Non Teaching Staff

Mr. P G Joseph

Mrs. Flory Correya

Mrs. Rose Jane V T

Mrs. Celine K J

Mr. Jose T O

VISION

FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THE MODERN WORLD WITH SCIENTIFIC SKILLS.

To be a department in dynamic equilibrium with its social, ecological and economic environment resonated in excellence in education and research service to the nation.

MISSION

1. To achieve academic excellence on par with today's requirement

2. To enhance imperative measures thrive in today's highly competitive

environment.

3. To develop interactive instructional techniques , which plays a vital

role in carreer prospects

4. To improve our standard of living and service to others.

5. To improve emotional quotient of students to withstand the stress and

Strain of developing world.

To train young women to put into action their ideas and innovations in science with confidence for the betterment and enrichment of mankind.

COURSES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT

Research in experimental and theoretical physics
M. Sc Physics with Electronics as elective.
B. Sc Physics (Main) with mathematics and statistics as subsidiaries.
B. Sc Physics (Subsidiary) for B. Sc Maths and B. Sc Chemistry.

SEMINARS AND OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMS

1 Golden Jubilee Celebrations was ceremoniously launched on 3 July 2009 with the offering of HOLY MASS.The chief celebrant was Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, Auxilliory Bishop of Verapoly , who also unveiled the 'Jubilee Logo', which depicts the journey into the unknown realms of the universe. The jubilee motto Thejomayam Viswamantham highlighted the search for universal truth; and the various events linked with the jubilee projected the Jubilee Logos and Motto. Rev. Sr. Edward Mary, mother Superior and Rev. Sr. Emeline, former Principal of the college graced the occasion with their presence.

2 A two-day UGC sponsored national seminar on Nano structured materials and Nano Photonics, was organized in collaboration with Department of Photonics, CUSAT, on 4-5February 2010. Dr. K Babu Joseph, former Vice Chancellor of CUSAT in his inaugural address stressed upon the need for high quality research . Dr. C Vijayan , Professor, Department of Physics, IIT, Madras and Dr. Annie Joseph Vallamattom, Reader, CELOS, CUSAT offered felicitations. Eminent scientists delivered lectures on various topics in these two days.

3 A two-day exhibition on Basic experiments in Physics was organised during 6 - 7 August 2010 for higher secondary students of schools in and around the city. The exhibition included basic experiments in Mechanics, Properties of matter, electricity, Optics, Magnetism, electronics and computer Science. There were also presentations of projects done by the students of the Department. These projects included wind mill, mobile bug for testing mobile phones, water level indicator, timer etc. and a few games based on the principles of Physics. The research lab and its facilities are also exhibited for the awareness of the students. Around 300 students from various schools of the city visited the exhibitions on the first day. Dr. Annie Joseph Vallamattom, Faculty member CELOS, Cochin University of Science and Technology inaugurated the programme.

4 A seminar for the Parents of degree students was organised on 18 September 2010. Dr. Sr. Joan Chunkapura, eminent counsellor and Director of TRADA, Kottayam delivered a talk on 'Parent's stress in managing teenagers'.

5 An awareness class on CSIR/UGC-JRF/NET exam was organized on 26th November 2010 for M.Sc and B.Sc students. Mr. Sibi K S, Assistant Professor, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam gave an illuminating talk on the subject and it really inspired students.

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS

Papers presented/ published

International Journals

1 S. Mathew, Santhi A, P. Radhakrishnan, V. P. N. Nampoori, C. P. G. Vallabhan, Shifting of Fluorescence Peak in CdS Nanoparticles by Excitation Wavelength Change, J Fluoresc, DOI 10.1007/s10895-011-0833-3, Accepted: 29 December 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010

2 2 Santhi A, Misha Hari, S. Mathew, Gaurav Sharma, Soumya, V.M. Hadiya, P. Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori, Thermal diffusivity of rhodamine 6G incorporateD in silver nanofluid measured using mode-matched thermal lens technique,Optic. Comms; 283 (2010) 313-317.

33 3 Santhi A, S. Mathew, Gaurav Sharma, Misha Hari, P. Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori, Photothermal characterization of nanogold under conditions of resonance excitation and energy transfer, Plasmonics (2010) DOI 10.1007/ s11468-009-9116-0.

4 4 Santhi A, Gaurav Sharma, Misha Hari, S. Mathew, P. Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori, Laser induced Bessel beams can realize fast all-optical switch in gold nanosol prepared by pulsed laser ablation, JOSA B, 27, Iss. 3, pp. 577-581 (2010).

International Conferences

1 1 Sreevalsa.V.G, Sajimol Augustine M, S.Jayalekshmi, Characterisation of transparent PVA/aminoacid complex capped ZnO nano composite films Proceedings of the International conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials APM-2010, Trends and Technology, at CIPET,Bhuvaneswar, 20-22 Feb 2010.

2 Sajimol Augustine.M, S. Jayalekshmi, Solvent dependent optical properties of spin-coated transparent nanocomposite films of oleic acid capped ZnO quantum dots in PVA matrix Proceedings of the International conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials, APT-2010 ,Cochin, 26-27 Feb 2010.

3 Sajimol Augustine.M, S. J. Varma, Francis Xavier and S. Jayalekshmi,Enhanced photoluminescence behaviour of PANI/ZnO nanocomposite prepared from oleic acid capped ZnO nanoparticles. ( Proceedings of the 'International conference on Recent Trends in Material Science and Technology', ICMST 2010, 29-31 October 2010, IIST Trivandrum)

4 Enhanced thermal diffusivity of R6G dye on addition of Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite, Misha Hari, Santhi A., G. S. Avadhani, Nithyaja B, Deep Punj, Bishwajeet S., P.Radhakrishnan, V. P. N. Nampoori, Photonics 2010, IIT, Guwahati (2010)

National Conferences

1 1 Sajimol Augustine.M, S.Jayalekshmi, Effect of capping on the optical properties of ZnO/PVA nanocomposite thin films Proceedings of the national seminar on Nano structured materials and Nano photonics at St.Teresa's college Ernakulam; 4-5 February 2010.

2 2 Sajimol Augustine.M, S. Jayalekshmi, Otical properties of spin-coated transparent nanocomposite films of oleic acid capped ZnO quantum dots in Polyvinyl alcohol Proceedings of the International conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials APM-2010, Trends and Technology,at CIPET, Bhuvaneswar, 20-22 Feb 2010.

3 Sajimol Augustine.M, S. Jayalekshmi, Size dependent optical properties of spin-coated nanocomposite films of oleic acid capped ZnO nanoparticles in PVA matrix Proceedings of the I^st Kerala Womens Science Congress 2010 at St.Teresa's college Ernakulam; 10-12 August 2010.

4 Kala M. S., Anu P. Das and Neethu T., Preparation and characterization of nano-structured CuWO₄film prepared by SILAR method Proceedings of the U G C sponsored National Seminar on Active / Smart Materials organized by Dept. of Physics, St. Paul's college, Kalamassery on 20^th & 21^st July , 2010.

5 5 Neethu T., Anu P. Das and Kala M. S. Synthesis and characterization of nano- structured copper tungstate films prepared at different temperatures by SILAR method Proceedings of the U. G. C. sponsored National Seminar on 'Nanostructured materials and Nanophotonics Organised by the Department of Physics, St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam On 4-5 February, 2010.

6 6 Mydhili V., Farheen M. Y. and Susan Mathew, Synthesis and characterization of n - Zinc sulphide thin films using SILAR technique.Proceedings of the U. G. C. sponsored National Seminar on Nanostructured materials and Nanophotonics Organised by the Department of Physics, St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam On 4-5 February, 2010.

7 7 Dual beam mode matched thermal lens technique for thermal diffusivity measurements of nanofluids, Gaurav Sharma, Rajeev Kr Ranjan, Misha Hari, P Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori and Santhi A, (NLS-2010) BARC, India (2010).

8 Synthesis and Non-linear optical characterization of noble metal nanostructures using pulsed laser ablation, Gaurav Sharma, Misha Hari, P Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori and Santhi A, (NLS-2010) BARC, India (2010).

9 Chemical route for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles embedded in PVA polymer matrix and its nonlinear optical characterization, Ravi Kumar, Giridhar Mishra, Krishna Murari, Misha Hari, Gaurav Sharma, Mathew S, R R Yadav, P Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori and Santhi A, (NLS-2010) BARC, India (2010).

10 Optical NOT Gate in Organic-inorganic Nanocomposite Realized Using Dual Beam Mode Matched Thermal Lens Technique, Soumya, V M Hadiya, Gaurav Sharma, Misha Hari, P Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori and Santhi A, (NLS-2010) BARC, India (2010).

11 Thermal lens studies in silver nanostructures, Misha Hari, Santhi A, P Radhakrishnan, V P N Nampoori (NLS-2010) BARC, India (2010).

Achievements in Research and Development and Educational fields

· 1 Dr. Rose P Ignatius is selected for the interview panel as subject expert for teaching staff selection for Physics for the colleges affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University

· 2 Rose P Ignatius and Dr. Kala M S got approval as Research guides

· 3 Dr. Santhi A has completed a Collaborative Research project by Dept of science and Tehnology, India and Ecole Polytechnique, fedarale de Lusanne, Switzerland under INDO-SWISS JOINT RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR UTILIZATION OF ADVANCED FACILITIES with two month stay as Guest scientist at EMPA, Dubendorf, Switzerland.

PROJECT GRANTS RECEIVED

1 1 Tessy Joseph : is the principal investigator of the ongoing Minor project Synthesis and characterization of nano-structured films of group II - VI semiconductors grown by SILAR technique at various temperatures sanctioned by U. G. C. and a grant of Rs. 55,000/- was received for the same.

2 2 Dr. Rose P Ignatius Completed UGC Sponsored minor project on Synchronization of coupled chaotic dynamics.

3 3 Dr. Kala M S completed UGC Sponsored minor project on Synthesis and characerisation of Nano films

TROP activity Images : Physics Experiments Demonstration- OPTICS

TROP activity Images : Physics Experiments Demonstration : PROPERTIES OF MATTER

TROP activity images - Physics Experiments Demonstration : ELECTRONICS

RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Outreach program at Udaya Colony

Armed with love and peace a unique program was organized in Udaya Colony on 11 September2009, by staging a Cultural fiesta involving the colony children and Physics students, thereby spreading love and sunshine into the otherwise dull and drab atmosphere of the colony. With the mission of Catch-them-young, the students, later on made a heart-to-heart encounter with the school-going kids of Udaya colony, aimed at awakening their hidden talents and inculcating a keen interest for study. This magnanimous gesture extended to the Marginalized in Society turned out to be an enriching experience that left an indelible mark on the Physics Teresians.

TROP (Teresian Rural Outreach Program)

As a part of extending the resources and the services to the society, department of Physics organised a science workshop at St.Mary's High School, Vallarpadam on 17th January 2011. All the teachers and final semester M.Sc students participated in the programme.

The workshop began at 12.30 pm. The beneficiaries were the students of standard VIII. Two sessions were arranged for the students. In the first session, a seminar on a historic perspective of models of atom using powerpoint presentation was arranged.

The seminar was taken by Ms. Preetha.M of II M.Sc. it was an informative and interesing class for the students. It was followad by a quiz competition for the students based on their curriculum. The questions were selected in such a way that the quiz programme turned out to be a revision of their entire science syllabus.

Students participated with vigour and enthusiasm. The winners are listed below.

I Prize: Team B (Jishnu.C, Aswin K.P, Jinu Thomas of Std. VIII A)

II Prize: Team A(Miranda, Anumol, Jiby Prakash of Std. VIII B)

III Prize: Team C(Jobin Joseph, Rahul.S, Navin Antony of Std. VIII A)

Prizes were distributed by Mrs. Tessy Joseph(H.O.D) and Dr.Rose.P.Ignatius.

In the second session, experiments were arranged demonstrating important Physics theories. Pupils showed great interest in having a hands-on-experience of what they learnt in books. The topics on which the experiments on which the experiments were based are the following.

· Optics

Experiments were arranged to demonstrate basic phenomena like reflection, refraction, diffraction, image formation etc.

· Electricity

Electricity experiments included the most fundamental static electricity to rapidly emerging lasers.

· Electromagnetism

Experiments on electromagnetism were helpful to understand the physics behind electric generators, motors, wind mills etc

· Properties of Matter

The experiments on Properties of Matter demonstrated how magnificently nature manifests herself in little things that we often see..

· Computer Science

Computer science experiments gave basic ideas on its hardware and software systems

· Electronics

Basic electronic experiments were demonstrated and students were encouraged to make working circuits .

The school authorities were supportive and showed eagerness to observe the experiments and they wholeheartedly appreciated our efforts to familiarize the students with the basics of Physics and to make their learning easy and interesting. Refreshments were also provided. The workshop came to a close at 4 p.m

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 2010-11

The department has produced very good academic results with pass percentage of above 90% for both B.Sc and M.Sc, under the efficient teaching and able guidance of the experienced and well-qualified faculty members. The department has bagged ranks for B.Sc Physics throughout the last eight years (1999-2008) also a third rank for M.Sc in the years 2003 and 2007. Ms. Sreechitra V R bagged first rank and Ms. Anju Claranel Thomas , third rank for Mahatma Gandhi University BSc Physics examination.

Aswathy S won the Gold Medal for the Aptitude Test of Perpetua- High Impact Transformation

Anju Claranel Thomas (II Physics) won first prize for Essay competition on Impact of Globalisation on developing countries conducted by Indian Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Aida Rose (II Physics) won IMA award for blood donation

Digna James, Safeera T A and Shilpa Mathew won first prize for Drama, Oppana and Margamkali in the University youth festival and Digna James was selected as Best Actress.

STRENGHTS OF THE DEPARTMENT

· Academic excellence with highest pass percentage, ranks and first classes in the University every year

· Well equipped laboratories for PG and UG

· Well established department library

· Provides Career guidance service to all the students

· Learning is made more interesting using PowerPoint presentations which are visually appealing and informative with the help of LCD projector

· Broadband internet connectivity is facilitated in to each and every student by installing sufficient number of nodes and the students are motivated to access and verify the information through the Internet

· Mentorship- Each teacher of the department is allotted a group of students, to whom she is meant to give necessary guidance in curricular as well as co-curricular activities. The teacher meets each student individually to sort out the academic and personal problems ..

· Remedial coaching-Special coaching is given after regular class hours to weak students .

· Active involvement of P.T.A, and retired staff in department activities

· The students of the department have got a placement record of around 20% every year

. Peer Group Learning

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

The department celebrated its Golden Jubilee during the acasemic year 2009 -10. A series of programme were conducted in connection with the celebrations.

Launching of the Golden Jubilee :

Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, Auxiliary Bishop of Verapoly celebrated Thanksgiving Holy Mass and unveiled the Jubilee Logos on 3rd July 2009. Rev.Sr.Edmund Mary, Mother superior and Rev. Sr. Emeline, former principal were the specially invited guests of the day.

Reaching out to the marginalized:

A unique Cultural Fiesta at UDAYA colony, Kadavanthara was organized on 11th September 2009 , as a part of the Teresian Rural Outreach Program (TROP) involving 23 students and colony children, spreading love and sunshine into the otherwise dull and drab atmosphere of the colony .

Lighting of the Jubilee Lamp:

Honorable Justice M N Krishnan , Judge High Court of Kerala inaugurated the activities of the jubilee year on 24th September 2009. Rev.Sr. Christabelle, principal presided over the function.

Prof. Dr. V P N Nampoori , Director, International school of photonics, CUSAT offered felicitations and presented a technical talk on Methodology of Science.

Celebrating Alumnae Day :

Worshipful Mayor Prof. Mercy Williams , first lady of the city of Kochi and former Hod of the Dept. of Sociology presided over the Alumnae day celebrations on 2nd October 2009. The first faculty member of the department , Mrs Ammini Joseph inaugurated the function. The Golden Jubilee Scholarship was inaugurated by Smt. Saroja Varma, former student of the 1969 batch. The highlights of the day were Guruvandanam- honoring of retired faculty members, honoring of retired non teaching staff members with mementos and felicitating rank-holders of the past . The former students happily shared their rich experience of student life in the campus .The cultural fiesta presented by the students added color to the celebrations.

Enriching the academics with seminars

1. Unfolding the mystery of the Quantum World

An inter- collegiate seminar was conducted on Strange & Beautiful world of Quantum Mechanics by Prof. K L Sebastian, Chairman, Dept. of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry , I. I. Sc. Bangalore , on 19th October 2009.

2. 2. Celebrating International year of Astronomy

A departmental level seminar was conducted on A Journey through the Milky Way by Sri Arvind Paranjpye, Principal Scientific Officer, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, (IUCAA) on 27th October, 2009.

3. 3.Delving into the Nano World

UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Nanomaterials and Nanophotonics was conducted on 4th &5th February 2010 . The seminar wasinaugurated by Prof. Dr.Babu Joseph, former Vice Chancellor of CUSAT.

DEPARTMENT MAIL ID

physics@teresas.ac.in

physics_teresas@yahoo.co.in

New Events

1) A semianar on "Effective Parenting" for the parents of BSc and MSc students was organised on 13 September 2011. The talk was given by Adv. Carlie Paul, who is a popular anti-alchoholism activist and the winner of Bishop Makeel award in 2010.

2) A talk on Stress Management was given to the final year MSc and BSc students by Mr. Krishna Mani on 30 Sept 2011.