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ANNUAL REPORT

ISP CELOS CHAPTER

2014-2015

Photo taken at C.V. Raman Square during Etch New 2015.

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INTRODUCTION

The year 2014 saw a tremendous increase in the number of members due to the effective membership

campaign and as a result of which the ISP – CELOS SPIE Student Chapter saw full participation from the

chapter members, presently the chapter has a strength of 58 members. The SPIE chapter activities include

Social outreach program, Industrial tours, Saturday labs and Special seminars organized throughout the year.

Eminent speakers related to field of Optics and Photonics delivered lectures on various topics. The annual

event of International School of Photonics “Annual Photonics Workshop” had been a great success. The

chapter president Graceson Antony represented the chapter at SPIE Optics + Photonics '15 conference held

at San Diego.

The session started with a General Body Meeting on 24 August 2014. The new office bearers for the year

were elected in the meeting. The following are the chapter office bearers:

President: Graceson Antony

Vice President: Abhijith

Secretary: Sarath M.P

Treasurer: Adrine Correya

Faculty Advisor: Dr. P Radhakrishnan

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CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

ISP-CELOS CHAPTER holds various activities that introduce the chapter members and the scholar

community to the world of concepts and cutting edge technology. Our chapter activities include:

SPECIAL SEMINARS

Special seminars were conducted throughout the year. The Chapter also supported the scholar in residence

program under ERUDITE scheme. Various lecture series by eminent scientists were conducted, group

discussions after each lecture were very contributing to the knowledge of the student community in the

department. The following is the list of special seminars conducted:

“Photonics for Future” by Prof. Brian Culshow,UK.

“Mind matter entanglement” by Prof. V.P.N Nampoori.

“Fiber Lasers” by Prof. P Radhakrishnan.

“Placement opportunities in Photonics” by Dr. Suresh Nair NEST.

“How to survive in a spectroscopic lab” by Prof. Girija Vllabhan.

‘Reality of wave front in Quantum mechanics” by Dr. Mani Bhawmik, California.

“Ion beam synthesis of metal glass nano composites for photonic applications” by

Prof. Purushottam Chakraborty.

“Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy” by Prof. Kailas Nath.

“MEMS” by Dr. T Srinivas.

Dr. Shyamal Kumar Badra, CGCRI Kolkata (Scholar in Residence program under ERUDITE

scheme.)

1. “Optical fiber amplifier theory and application”.

2. “Fiber Bragg grating and fiber laser, fabrication and application”.

3. “Nonlinear Photonic crystal fiber and hollow core fiber”.

4. “Photonic crystal fiber, theory, fabrication, challenges and applications”.

One day workshop on Development of optical fiber based devices for sensing

applications.[DDDFISA] by Prof. Radhakrishnan P(ISP), Dr. Radhakrishna Prabhu

(RGU),UK, Prof. V P Mahadevan Pillai.

“Optical fiber based sensors for chemical and physical parameter sensing” by

Mr. Bobby Mathews.

“Fabrication and characterization of Planar waveguide” by Mr. Jaison Peter.

“Molecular Beam Epitaxy”, “Non linear optics” by Prof. Purushottam Chakraborty,

Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (Scholar in residence program under ERUDITE

scheme).

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THURSDAY SEMINARS

Thursday seminars focus on open discussions and presentations on current research in the department. Every

Thursday a student researcher discusses a topic. The discussion during this seminar has proved helpful for

better understanding of the topic being discussed. Here is a list of Thursday seminars conducted in the year

2014:

“Laser biospeckle technique for biological applications”..........by Mr. Boni Samuel.

“Optical properties of CdS nano composites”.........................by Mr. Mathew S.

“Reducing graphene oxide /polymer nanocomposites for optical limiting applications”...............by

Mr. Muralidharan M N

“ Second harmonic generation in SiN films”.............by Mr. Nideep T K

“Application of laser speckle photography for the analysis of various surface roughness parameters

of space vehicle components”........................by Mr. Ratheesh R

“Design of fabrication of a compact multi band planar inverted f antenna with reduced

SAR.”..................by Ms. Hrudya Balachandran.

“Dithizone coated fiber optic sensor for detection and estimation of copper

ions”…………………..by Mr. Boby Mathews.

“DNA as electron blocking layers in OLED.”.......................by Mr. Pradeep C

“Complexity measures of delay feedback system.”.................by Mr. Bejoy Varghese.

“Surface enhanced I R Spectroscopy for biological analytes.”..........by Ms. Indu Sebastian.

“Whispering gallery modes in POF”...........by Mr. Jaison Peter.

“Microwave embedded polymer fiber amplifier”............by Mr. Linslal C.

“Optical biosensors for fluoride ions”..........................by Ms. Roopa Venkatraj.

“Quantum dots in solar cells”................................by Sr. Anju K Augustine.

“A Quad band planar inverted F antenna for mobile phones.”.............by Mr. Vijesh K R

“Optical properties of nanoparticles using plasmonic devices.”.................by Mr. Pranam Prakash.

ANNUAL PHOTONICS WORKSHOP

International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology organized the 19th

Annual

Photonics Workshop on February 26th

to 28th

2015. The focal theme of the workshop was “Recent trends in

Optics”. The inaugural function was held in the C.V. Raman Auditorium of the International School of

Photonics at 11.30am on 26th

February. The meeting was presided over by Dr. M. Kailasnath, Director, ISP

who welcomed the gathering. Prof. (Dr.) K. Poulose Jacob, Pro-vice Chancellor, Cochin University of

Science and Technology inaugurated the workshop. On this occasion, Photonics News, the annual news

magazine from the department, was released by Dr. A. Mujeeb, Member of Syndicate, CUSAT and Director

of LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Thiruvananathapuram. Prof. P.Radhakrishnan and

Prof. C.G.Devaki were presented with a memento by the Honourable Pro-Vice chancellor of CUSAT for

their valuable services provided to their departments. Prof. David Peter S., Registrar, CUSAT, distributed

mementos, certificates and cash awards for the toppers of the M.Sc.Photonics and M.Tech Optoelectronics

and Laser Technology courses, Best project presentations, and Best researcher. Mr. Arjun C.Vinod was

presented with a memento for achieving first prize in Spot photography in inter-university competition.

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Prof. V.P.N. Nampoori felicitated the Annual Photonics Workshop. Dr. Sreelekha G., Lecturer, International

School of Photonics thanked the attendees.

Dr. Simon Officer, Robert Gordon University, UK, Mr. Sajan Ambady, Research Scientist, Head,

Forensic Expert, Optical Image Processing & Security Products C-Dit, Thiruvananthapuram,

Dr.Sudeepkumar V.P., BSNL, Thiruvananthapuram, engaged sessions on various topics of latest trends in

optics on 26th

February. Sathish John Memorial Lecture and award ceremony was conducted on the same

day. Practical sessions on Optics and Optoelectronics experiments were provided to the participants on 26th

and 27th

Feb 2015. The annual general body meeting of the Photonics Society of India was also conducted in

connection with the workshop.

Dr. Suresh Nair, NeST, Kakkanad, Dr. Riju Issac, Asst.Professor, M.A.College, Kothamangalam,

Dr. Mosarraf Hossain, Space Physics Laboratory, VSSC, Dr. Rajeev N. Kini, IISER, Thiruvananthapuram, Prof. Joby Joseph, Department of Physics, IIT Delhi, delivered talks on different topics in optics on 27

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February. A poster presentation was arranged in which posters were displayed by the participants in the field

of their research work. The participants also visited the research lab of International School of Photonics.

Dr. Rajesh R (Scientist E), NPOL, Kochi, Dr. Biju Raju, MS (Ophthalmology), Fellow of National

Board (Vitreoretinal Diseases), Dr. Manoj A G Namboothiry, Assistant Professor, School of Physics, IISER,

Thiruvananthapuram, engaged sessions on different topics on 28th

February. The National Science Day as

well as 20th

birth day of International School of Photonics was celebrated on the same day with lectures by

Prof. K. Gopalakrishnan Nair and Prof. V.P.N.Nampoori. After the lectures, C-SIS (Centre for Science in

Society), Cochin University of Science and Technology was visited. About 60 participants from all over

India attended this three day workshop. The workshop was concluded with a valedictory function chaired by

the Director of International School of Photonics on 28th

February at 3.45pm. Participation certificates and

proceedings were distributed to the participants during this function. The workshop was coordinated by Dr.

Sreelekha G, Lecturer, International School of Photonics, CUSAT

Photo taken during the Inaugral ceremony of APW 2015

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ETCH NEW 2015 –THE ANNUAL OPTICS FAIR

The Optics fair named as Etch New 2015 is the largest outreach programme of ISP CELOS chapter ,‘The

Optics Fair” is a two-day programme organised by SPIE and OSA student chapter at International School of

Photonics, CUSAT with the intention of promoting younger students into the field of optics and photonics.

In connection to the International Year of Light celebrations, Optics Fair 2015 was extended to three days

intensifying the topics covered in experimental demonstrations. It was held from January 14,15and 16.

2015. About 3500 students participated in the programme. The chapter members contributed their best to

make the programme more vibrant and colourful displaying the potential of optical phenomena in the best

portrait possible. The programme focused on students from high school and higher secondary (8th

to 12th

grade) as it is necessary to instigate in them the recognition of potentiality of optics to influence the

intellectual parameters of exploring minds. Students majoring in physics were also included in the

programme so that they could appreciate the physical significance as well as the aesthetics of optical

experiments. The optical phenomena demonstrated in the Optics Fair include all basic theories like

reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, dispersion etc. explained in the best possible manner through

simple experimental demonstration, so that these phenomena are easily understood by the students thereby

laying bold foundation for better insight into the field of optics.

The major attraction of the Optics Fair was the holographic display, graffiti, laser games, LED Displays,

plasma lamps, mobile phone microscopes, strobe experiments, lissajous pattern, solar cells, cloaking,

Moire’s pattern, etc. The optical illusions and the colourful variance of its display added to better feedback

response from the participants. The event has undoubtedly inculcated curiosity and hope among the students

and that was clear from the way they interacted with the demonstrators. Giving a new direction to peek into

the world of science and research was the ultimatum of the Optics Fair and we believe, to a degree, we

succeeded in attaining that goal. Possibilities of new career options in optics and photonics field was also

made known to the students so that they could realize that they have got new opportunities of research based

careers knocking at their doors other than the usual notions prevalent in the mind-set of ordinary students.

Invited talks were arranged for school and college students. The following are the details of lectures given

on 15th

and 16th

January.

1. Prof. V.P.N Nampoori on “History of Optics”.

2. Prof. C.P Girijavallaban on “Scope and Future of Photonics”.

3. Prof. P Radhakrishnan on “Laser Applications”.

4. Dr. M Kailasnath on “Fiber optics”.

5. Physics Stage show by Prof. Ananthakrishnan.

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The following are some photos taken during optics fair 2015:

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INDUSTRIAL VISITS

TIFR - Radio Astronomy Centre, Ooty.

A visit to Radio Astronomy Centre (RAC) Ooty was conducted on 16 February 2015. The radio astronomy

centre is a part of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the well known Tata Institute of

Fundamental Research (TIFR) which is funded by the Government of India through the Department of

Atomic Energy. The Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) is the main attraction of RAC. It is unique in its design

aspects and its geographic location .Over the 43 years the ORT has produced many important astronomical

results on Radio galaxies, Quasars, Supernova etc. There was a video session on the activities being carried

out in the centre. Around 50 students participated in this visit. The visit proved to be really informative.

The following are some photos taken during the visit:

Photo taken during the visit to RAC Ootty

The ORT – Radio Astronomy Centre Ootty, photo courtesy :internet

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NeST Photonics - SFO Technologies.

The chapter arranged an industrial visit to NeST group of companies Kakkanad. A group of 40 students

visited the R&D wing at SFO Technology a joint venture of NeST group of companies.SFO Technologies is

a flagship company of the 300 million dollar NeST group with more than 400 employees. The NeST group

has strong presence in futuristic computer and communication technology areas like networking, fiber

optics, RF and Microwave and Software development. The SFO Technology has hardware and software

facilities adhering to world class standards, spread across India and USA.

The chapter members had an interactive session with the chief scientist and researchers on various projects

undertaken at SFO technology.

These are some photos taken during the visit:

The chapter members interacting with the chief scientist at SFO Technology

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Chapter Bank Account: A/c no. - SB684 at Union Bank of India, Kalamassery, Ernakulam.

Income

Balance brought forward : 37314

SPIE annual Grant : 82043

Total (in INR) : 119357

Expenditure

Annual Photonics Workshop : 18996

Special seminars/Invited talks : 12083

Thursday seminar : 10429

Optics fair –The Etch New 2015 : 38000

Industrial visit : 34900

Total Expenditure (in INR) : 114408

Balance Amount (in INR) : 4949

Statement prepared by

Adrine Correya

SPIE Treasurer (August 2014 - July 2015)

Approved by

Dr P Radhakrishnan

SPIE Advisor

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FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Follow up of International Year Of Light: The celebration of International Year Of Light 2015 will be

followed in coming years also. The chapter has under taken many outreach activities which would be

followed in coming years to come as we have started the activities in the mid of the year 2015. We will

ensure all round publicity for the IYL2015 among physics community in and around the state. We will

effectively use social media and local telecommunication media to announce the chapter. This program will

give good exposure to the fundamental aspects of optics to students. Some of the students can also be

inspired to take optics based research as their career.

One day workshops

The chapter has planned to start a series of workshops for college students and high school teachers aiming

at developing basic knowledge of optics related studies.

Annual Photonics Workshop 2016

The Annual photonics workshop will be held on February 2016 .The chapter will co-organize the event with

help of ISP-OSA student chapter and the International School of Photonics. The workshop in 2016 focuses

on Biophotonics. Eminent speakers from around the world are invited for the workshop. Interaction

sessions between the students and teachers will be highlight of this workshop.

Optics Fair 2016

The SPIE student chapter has planned to organize a student outreach programme , “THE OPTICS FAIR

2016’’ aimed to convey the thrill of observing strange and surprising features of the world of ‘OPTICA’.the

targeted audience include students from 8 th grade to 12 th grade. 2016 Optics fair will get more attraction

as we have planned to include more college level exciting experiments and demonstrations. Using simple

analogies and a wealth of illustrations, our aim is to imprint in young minds the basic concepts of physics

and introduce them to the world of photonics.

Visiting Lecturer Program

Invite the most renowned professors over the world through SPIE International to give a seminar on the field

of photonics, optics and photo-electronics to make students aware of the newest technology being

implemented and used worldwide.

Industrial Visit

Industrial Visits & Study Tour: The chapter will organize visits to the renowned industries and research labs

to get hands on experience for the members in various areas of R&D going on in the field of optics and

photonics. These will be organized with study tours and leisure trips for the chapter members for refreshing

their minds from the labours of handwork. This event will be in February 2016.

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Optics kit

The optics kit-version 6 will be released in the international year of light inauguration function in the

department. It is designed to help students to gain clear understanding of concepts of the different optical

phenomena and will be distributed among different schools. The kit not only provides the equipment’s like

single slit, double slit, polarizer, lenses, mirror, laser, holographic grating etc., but it also comes with a

handbook that explains the concepts briefly. Topics like polarization, diffraction and interference are

explained. This will be extremely helpful for the students in understanding the theory. The aim is to

overcome the shortage of optical components in schools and to popularize optics. The optics kit acts as a

practical guide for the student. It was one of the major attractions of the Optics Fair.

Raman Day Celebration The one day programme will include Raman Day Lecture by an Eminent person

followed by discussions on developments in various research groups within the department. The best

researcher will be awarded during the function. This would initiate a culture of healthy competition among

researchers to improve their research quality and come up with new innovations

Placement Cell Activities

As part 2012 SPIE activities, a placement cell was formed and started actively working in the International

School of Photonics. The Placement cell was formed aiming ISP SPIE chapter members for securing good

carriers in the field Optics and Photonics. Many of the recent graduates have secured jobs in some high

profile photonics based companies. This has motivated us to further establish and empower the placement

cell in the department.

Alumni Meet

The chapter is organizing an Alumni meet in the month of December 2015. It is a great pleasure for the

chapter members to indulge in activities to conduct the programme. The Alumni are expected to give a brief

presentation on their research work or about the company they represent. This is expected to be a guiding

factor for current students in choosing the best career.

Optics to school and Lecture programme

This is a one year programme as a part of International year of light 2015, which aims at distributing optics

kit developed by the chapter members to 30 government schools free of cost and deliver lectures in 100

schools around the state. This is believed to be the greatest outreach activity ever conducted, the programme

runs with the funding from KCSTE Government of Kerala. However the programme requires immense input

of hard work from chapter members to develop the Optics Kit and distribute it to 30 schools in various

districts all around in Kerala. The ISP-CELOS chapter has announced that optics kit version 6 will be

distributed to schools on demand at minimal rates in the future also.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This chapter is thankful to all its members for their whole hearted support in every chapter activity. We

express our sincere gratitude to Tasha Chicovsky for her undying support. Chapter is especially thankful to

our faculty advisor Dr. P Radhkrishnan and other guest lecturers for their support .Our sincere gratitude goes

also to all our senior batches and previous office bearers who made all this possible.

Graceson Antony

President

ISP-CELOS CHAPTER