Puspendu Barik

Postdoctoral Research Associate III May 2022 -

S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences

My research at SNBNCBS is divided into three main parts: (i) basic understanding of the growth of metal nanostructures at the solid/liquid interface using Evanescent wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (EW-CRDS), (ii) the nanoparticles-on-mirror structures for SERS application using metal nanostructures, (iii) plasmonic nanocomposites and photonic-plasmonic structure for the application in plasmonic luminescent solar concentrators (PLSC).

Project Scientist - D Dec 2019 - Jun 2021

S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences

The primary responsibilities are the research work depending on the Project - Technical Research Centre (TRC) requirement, which is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Here, I have worked on several topics such as preparing SERS substrates, application of evanescent waves, luminescent solar concentrator devices, and gas sensors using plasmonic nanoparticles to make them suitable for technology transfer.

Dr. D S Kothari Postdoctoral Fellow May 2016 - May 2019

Indian Institute of Sciences

The main objective of this proposal is to explore the synergy of the two cores of nanophotonics technologies, i.e., quantum dots (QDs) photonics and plasmonic, which have been identified recently as valuable materials for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). The project addresses composite structures comprising of QDs with high quantum yield and metal nanocrystals. The presence of the plasmonic nanocrystals, with their controllable and enhanced local electromagnetic fields, will allow controlling the optical properties of QDs via near-field coupling, which is achievable through far-field excitation. Plasmonic nanostructures can concentrate optical incident radiation into strong localized electric fields distributed within the subwavelength regions close to the nanostructures' surface, leading to finely tailoring interactions between propagating radiation and nanoscale optical species like QDs. In this perspective, the project attempts to provide a brief overview of the flourishing field where plasmonic nanostructures are employed to control the fluorescence process of QDs. The underlying physics behind the photon-plasmon coupling is investigated to achieve design rules for photonic-plasmonic structures. Furthermore, the proposed structure is demonstrated for use as photonic-plasmonic LSCs.

Postdoctoral Fellow Mar 2014 - Mar 2016

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Title of the Project: Optical properties of semiconductors including nano-sized structures
Descriptions: In this project, we have tried to model optical properties of semiconductor nanomaterials/bulk through existing reports in the literature and new, supplementary measurements, and we hope to contribute to the understanding of fundamental processes that play key roles in device applicability.

Research Assistant Nov 2013 - Dec 2013

National University of Science and Technology (MISiS)

This is a short-term project where I synthesized CdSe QDs and CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs. We did measurements and characterization in terms of the size, shape, and biocompatibility.

Research Associate May 2012 - Oct 2013

Visva-Bharati University

I have developed a bio-compatible polymer nanocomposite with good electrical properties by incorporating semiconductor nanoparticles (e.g., CdS, ZnO, Fe3O4, CaO, etc.). Moreover, I have used several biopolymers like Gum Arabic (GA), Agarose, Chitosan, etc., to make the nanocomposites. Standardizing the synthesis route for nanoparticles and their composites, and optimizing composites in terms of high dielectric constant and standard dielectric strength was part of the project. I have studied the nanocomposites' structural properties and homogeneity by several detection methods and explained the dielectric properties by the existing dielectric theory of composites materials.

Senior Research Fellow Jul 2008 - Feb 2009

Visva-Bharati University

Title of the Project: Synthesis and Characterization of transition metal doped BaTiO3 Nanoparticles
Description: The above works were incorporated into my Ph.D. dissertation. During my Ph.D., I studied the optical and electrical properties of a perovskite Barium Titanate (BT), which has great importance in the semiconductor industry. As transition metal and rare earth doped microcrystalline BT supports the generation of active optical center, I studied the optical as well as electrical properties of doped nano-BT (like Fe, Co, Ni, Ce doped) having a wide degree of metastable configuration with active optical centers, and interesting optical absorption and photoluminescence properties. As the critical grain size of nano-BT for which the ferroelectricity vanishes closely correlated with the processing method and parameters, we had to stabilize the ferroelectric behavior in pure and doped specimens at the first stage. Chemical methods like sol-gel and co-precipitation route were exploited to prepare the samples. The emissions from BT were explained in terms of several defect states, structural imperfection, particle size, and their origin. I also explained the anomalous dielectric properties of pure and doped nano-BT and clearly explained some preliminary results; (i) dielectric properties depend on the coexistence of two different structural phases in the nano-BT (ii) different vacancy centers created during synthesis (iii) grain size-dependent Curie point, etc.

Junior Research Fellow Jul 2006 - Jul 2008

Visva-Bharati University

Title of the Project: Synthesis and Characterization of transition metal doped BaTiO3 Nanoparticles
Description: The above works were incorporated into my Ph.D. dissertation. During my Ph.D., I studied the optical and electrical properties of a perovskite Barium Titanate (BT), which has great importance in the semiconductor industry. As transition metal and rare earth doped microcrystalline BT supports the generation of active optical center, I studied the optical as well as electrical properties of doped nano-BT (like Fe, Co, Ni, Ce doped) having a wide degree of metastable configuration with active optical centers, and interesting optical absorption and photoluminescence properties. As the critical grain size of nano-BT for which the ferroelectricity vanishes closely correlated with the processing method and parameters, we had to stabilize the ferroelectric behavior in pure and doped specimens at the first stage. Chemical methods like sol-gel and co-precipitation route were exploited to prepare the samples. The emissions from BT were explained in terms of several defect states, structural imperfection, particle size, and their origin. I also explained the anomalous dielectric properties of pure and doped nano-BT and clearly explained some preliminary results; (i) dielectric properties depend on the coexistence of two different structural phases in the nano-BT (ii) different vacancy centers created during synthesis (iii) grain size-dependent Curie point, etc.

Visva-Bharati University 2008 - 2013

Field of study: Physics
Degree: PhD

Title of the Project: Synthesis and Characterization of transition metal doped BaTiO3 Nanoparticles
Description: The above works were incorporated into my Ph.D. dissertation. During my Ph.D., I studied the optical and electrical properties of a perovskite Barium Titanate (BT), which has great importance in the semiconductor industry. As transition metal and rare earth doped microcrystalline BT supports the generation of active optical center, I studied the optical as well as electrical properties of doped nano-BT (like Fe, Co, Ni, Ce doped) having a wide degree of metastable configuration with active optical centers, and interesting optical absorption and photoluminescence properties. As the critical grain size of nano-BT for which the ferroelectricity vanishes closely correlated with the processing method and parameters, we had to stabilize the ferroelectric behavior in pure and doped specimens at the first stage. Chemical methods like sol-gel and co-precipitation route were exploited to prepare the samples. The emissions from BT were explained in terms of several defect states, structural imperfection, particle size, and their origin. I also explained the anomalous dielectric properties of pure and doped nano-BT and clearly explained some preliminary results; (i) dielectric properties depend on the coexistence of two different structural phases in the nano-BT (ii) different vacancy centers created during synthesis (iii) grain size-dependent Curie point, etc.

Thesis Title: "Structure and Properties of Doped Nano-Barium Titanate"
Advisor: Prof. Tapas Kumar Kundu
Degree awarded by: Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/34360

Vidyasagar University 2003 - 2005

Field of study: Physics
Degree: Master of Science