Ultrafast Optics Group

This group investigates ultrafast and highly nonlinear interactions between intense ultrashort laser pulses and matter.  Such interactions/phenomena happen at the timescales of nanoseconds (10^-9 s; ns) to attoseconds (10^-18 s; as) and these processes can be revealed only with the help of light flashes having excellent spatio-temporal properties. Therefore, nanosecond or femtosecond lasers are employed to reveal the ultrafast electronic and acoustic processes in various media (mostly condensed matter). The group anticipates the extension of its activity in the major areas of intense laser fields as follows

• High order harmonic generation 
• Intense-laser matter interaction
• Ultrafast phenomena
• Laser produced plasma
• Nonlinear optics

Members of the group

	Nikhil Varghese (Ph.D. Scholar : Polarization rotation in intense light-matter interaction)
	Renju Miriam Cheriyan ( Ph.D. Scholar: Work: Laser-Plasma Interaction)

Associations/Collaborations

1. Prof. Reji Philip, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, India
2. Prof. Igor V Litvinyuk, Australian Attosecond Science Facility, Griffith University, Australia
3. Prof. Laszlo Viesz, Relativistic Attosecond Physics Laboratory, Umeå University, Sweden
4. Dr. Kavya H Rao, ELI Beamlines, Czech Republic
5. Dr. Srimanta Maity, ELI Beamlines, Czech Republic

Alumni 

1. Mr. Sooraj R. S  –  Casual Masters work 2020-2022 (Current affiliation: University of Freiburg, Germany)
2. Ms. Indulekshmi P- M. Phil Thesis-2021 (Current Affiliation: Univerisdad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico )
3. Mr. Cyril Benny- Masters Thesis- 2021 (Current affiliation: Extreme Photonics Lab, University of Rostock, Germany)
4. Mr. Achu P- Masters Thesis- 2021-2022 (Current affiliation: University of Naples, Italy)
5. Mr. Vipin Das-Masters Thesis-2020 (Current affiliation: ———-)
6. Mr. Akhil N-Masters Thesis-2020 (Current Affiliation: IISER Thiruvanthapuram, India)

Thesis Supervision

M. Phil Thesis 

1. Optical Emission Spectroscopy of laser-plasma produced from multiple solid targets ( Sep 2021) – Indulekshmi P 

Masters Thesis

1. Plume analysis of laser-produced plasma for morphological studies (Sept 2021) – Cyril Benny
2. Optical emission spectroscopy of laser-produced plasma – Analysis using MATLAB (Jul 2021) – Achu P
3. Analysis of Optical Emission Spectroscopy of Laser Produced Plasmas (Sept 2020) – Vipin Das
4. Review on Tunneling times (Sept 2020) – Akhil N
5. Analysis of Closed Aperture Z-scan – A numerical study (Jun 2020) – 
6. Study of nonlinear properties of Indium oxide using Z-scan (Completed) – 
7. Contrast improvement of few-cycle laser pulses (Completed-2018, Umea University)

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

1. A Comprehensive Review on Amplification of Laser Pulses via Stimulated Raman Scattering and Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Plasmas, R Miriam Cheriyan, N Varghese, RS Sooraj, KH Rao, N Smijesh, Plasma 5 (4), 499-539
   https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma5040037
2. An Easy Technique for Focus Characterization and Optimization of XUV and Soft X-ray Pulses
   Alexander A Muschet, Aitor De Andres, N. Smijesh, Laszlo Veisz, Applied Sciences 12 (11), 5652 (1-9)

   https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115652

3. Effect of double-pulse laser irradiation on the dynamics of picosecond laser-produced plasma
   K. H. Rao, N. Smijesh, D. Chetty, I.V. Litvinyuk, R.T. Sang, Physics of Plasmas 27 (8), 083518 (2020).

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0011508

4. Contrast improvement of sub-4 fs laser pulses using nonlinear elliptical polarization rotation
   N. Smijesh, X. Zhang, P. Fischer, A. A. Muschet, R. Salh, A. Tajalli, U. Morgner, and Veisz. Optics Letters, 44 (16), 4028-4031 (2019).
   https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.44.004028
5. Effect of double-pulse irradiation on the morphology of a picosecond laser-produced chromium plasma
   Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, D. Chetty, I. V. Litvinyuk, R. T. Sang.
   https://arxiv.org/abs/1808.08678v1
   
6. Plasma plumes produced by laser ablation of Al with single and double pulse schemes
   N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, D. Chetty, I. V. Litvinyuk, R. T. Sang. Optics Letters, 43 (24), 6081-6084 (2018).
   https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.43.006081
7. Time-resolved optical emission spectroscopic studies of picosecond laser-produced Cr plasma
   Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, N. Klemke, R. Philip, I. V. Litvinyuk, R. T. Sang. Phys. Plasmas 25, 063505 (2018).
   https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5026417
8. Optical emission and dynamics of aluminum plasmas produced by ultrashort and short laser pulses.
   Pranitha Sankar, Jijil. JJ Nivas, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 32, 1177 (2017).
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C7JA00133A
9. Spatio-temporal optimization of a laser-produced Al-plasma: Generation of highly ionized species
   N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, N. Klemke, R. Philip, I. V. Litvinyuk, R. T. Sang, Phys. Plasmas 23, 113104 (2016)
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4967945
10. Ultrafast Laser produced zinc Plasma: Stark Broadening of emission lines in a nitrogen ambient
    Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, Jijil JJ Nivas, R. Philip, Phys. Plasmas 23, 043503 (2016)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4945613
11. Influence of pulse width on the laser ablation of zinc nitrogen ambient
    N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao and R. Philip, Appl. Phys. A 122 (4), 1-6 (2016)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4945613
12. Dynamics of neutrals and ions in a femtosecond laser-produced zinc plasma
    N. Smijesh, Kavya. H. Rao, R. Philip, Phys. Plasmas 22, 033509 (2015)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4914928
13. Acceleration of neutrals in a nanosecond laser-produced nickel plasma
    N. Smijesh, K. Chandrasekharan, and R. Philip, Phys. Plasmas 21, 123507 (2014)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4904308
14. Time of ight emission spectroscopy of a laser-produced expanding nickel plasma: short pulse and ultrafast excitations
    N. Smijesh, K. Chandrasekharan, J. C. Joshi, R. Philip, J. Appl. Phys. 116, 013301 (2014)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4885760
15. Emission dynamics of an expanding ultrafast-laser produced Zn plasma under different ambient pressures
    N. Smijesh and R. Philip, J. Appl. Phys. 114, 093301 (2013)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4820575
16. Organic dye impregnated poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite as an e_cient optical limiter: structure, morphology and photophysical properties
    Sreeja, S. Sreedhanya, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, C. I. Muneera, J. Mater. Chem. C 1, 3851(2013)
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3TC30427B
17. Size-dependent optical properties of Au nanorods S.L Smitha, K.G. Gopchandran
    N. Smijesh, R. Philip, Progress in Natural Science- Material International 23(1), 36 (2013)
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnsc.2013.01.005
18. Nonlinear optical properties of composite napthalocyanine thin flms with nanocrystalline morphology
    N. S. Panicker, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, C.S. Menon, Mat. Lett. 89, 188 (2012)
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2012.08.085
19. Electrochemical and Nonlinear Optical Studies of New DA Type pi-Conjugated Polymers Carrying 3, 4-Benzyloxythiophene, Oxadiazole, and 3, 4-Alkoxythiophene Systems
    S. Sunitha, A. V. Adhikari, K. A. Vishnumurthy, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, Chem. Lett. 41, 234 (2012)
    https://doi.org//10.1246/cl.2012.234
20. Synthesis, characterization, and nonlinear optical properties of 2-[(E)-2-(4-ethoxyphenyl) ethenyl]-1-methylquinolinium 4-substitutedbenzenesulfonate compounds
    Ruanwas, T. Kobkeatthawin, S. Chantrapromma, H. Fun, R. Philip, N. Smijesh, M. Padaki, A. M. Isloor, Synthetic Metals 160 (7), (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2009.12.005
21. Two-Photon Absorption and optical limiting in Tristhiourea Cadmium Sulphate
    Dhanuskodi, T. C. Sabari Girisun, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, Chem. Phys. Lett. 486, 8083 (2010)
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2009.12.069

Conference Publications

1. Contrast improvement of few-cycle laser pulses using nonlinear ellipse rotation N. Smijesh, X. Zhang, P. Fischer, A. A. Muschet, R. Salh, A. Tajalli, U. Morgner, and Veisz.,Ultrafast Optics XII, Oct 6-11, 2019, BoI, Croatia.
2. Angle-resolved X-ray emission spectroscopy of laser-produced metal plasmas and alloys Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, P. Sankar, R. Philip, I. V. Litvinyuk and R. T. Sang, 23rd Australian Institute of Physics Congress (AIP Congress 2018), Dec 9-13, 2018, Perth, Western Australia.
3. Changes in the morphology of a picosecond laser-produced plasma by single and double pulse irradiations Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, D. Chetty, I. V. Litvinyuk and R. T. Sang, Siegman International School on Lasers, July 28-August 4, 2018, Island of Hven, Backafallsbyn, Sweden.
4. Characterization of laser-produced plasma using fast imaging Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, I. V. Litvinyuk, and R. T. Sang, Conference on Optics, Atoms and Laser Applications (IONS KOALA 2017), Nov 26-Dec 01, 2017, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
5. Optimization of laser-plasma dynamics towards high order harmonic generation. N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, D. Chetty, R. T. Sang and I. V. Litvinyuk (ICPEAC 2017, Cairns, Australia).
6. Plume dynamics of a laser-plasma: single and double pulse schemes Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, D. Chetty, I.V. Litvinyuk and R. T. Sang (ICPEAC 2017, Cairns, Australia).
7. Characterization of nanosecond laser-produced aluminium plasma for high-order harmonic generation. Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, N. Klemke, R. Philip, I. Litvinyuk and R. T. Sang (Joint 13th Asia Pacific physics conference and 22nd Australian Institute of Physics congress, Dec 4-8, 2016, Brisbane Australia).
8. Optimization of picosecond laser-generated micro-plasma towards the generation of bright, coherent EUV sources. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, R. T. Sang and I. Litvinyuk, (Joint 13th Asia Pacific physics conference and 22nd Australian Institute of Physics congress, December 4-8, 2016, Brisbane Australia).
9. Comparative study of single and double pulse laser-generated plasma. Dashavir Chetty, N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, Robert Sang, Igor Litvinyuk (Joint 13th Asia Pacific physics conference and 22nd Australian Institute of Physics congress, December 4-8, 2016, Brisbane Australia).
10. Investigation of ps laser-produced Cr plasma: Single vs double-pulse method. Chetty, Kavya H. Rao, N. Smijesh, R. T. Sang, I. V. Litvinyuk, Conference on Optics, Atoms and Laser Applications (IONS KOALA 2016), November 27-December 2, 2016, Melbourne, Australia ).
11. Laser produced highly ionized Aluminum plasma for high harmonic generation. N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, N. Klemke, R.Philip, I. Litvinyuk and R. T. Sang (Inter-national Workshop on EUV and Soft X-Ray Sources (2016 SourceWorkshop), November 7-9, 2016, Amsterdam, The Netherlands).
12. Optimization of Laser-produced Plasma towards the Generation of High-order Harmonics. N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao, D. Chetty, R. T. Sang and I. Litvinyuk (International Workshop on EUV and Soft X-Ray Sources (2016 SourceWorkshop), November 7-9, 2016, Amsterdam, The Netherlands).
13. Optical emission spectroscopic studies of a picosecond laser-produced plasma: Single pulse and double pulse methods. Dashavir Chetty, N. Smijesh, N. Klemke, Kavya H. Rao, D. Laban, James Wood, D. Kielpinski, R. T. Sang, I. V. Litvinyuk, (Conference on Optics, Atoms and Laser Applications (IONS KOALA 2015), November 23-27, 2015, Auckland, New Zealand).
14. A coherent x-ray source from plasma using high-order harmonic generation. Dane Laban, Smijesh Achary, Nicolai Klemke, James Wood, Dashavir Chetty, David Kielpinski, Igor Litvinyuk, Robert Sang. Bulletin of the American Physical Society 60 (2015).
15. Spectroscopic studies of Cr VI species in a laser-produced plasma. Nicolai Klemke, Smijesh Nadarajan, Dane Laban, James Wood, Dashavir Chetty, David Kielpinski, Igor Litvinyuk, Robert Sang, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 60 (2015).
16. Ultrafast laser-induced plasmas for nanoparticle generation: Comparison with conventional chemical routes. Smijesh, Kavya. H. Rao, P. Sreekanth and R. Philip. (International Conference on Frontiers in Nano Science, Technology and Applications.FINSTA-2014, India).
17. Short and ultrafast laser-produced Aluminum plasma: A fluence dependent study. Pranitha Sankar, Jijil JJ Nivas, N. Smijesh, Reji Philip (Conference proceedings of 29th National Symposium on plasma science and Technology- Plasma 2014, India).
18. Expansion dynamics of laser-produced Zn plasma: Short pulse and ultrafast excitation. N. Smijesh, Anitta R. Thomas, Kavya H. Rao and Reji Philip (Conference proceedings of 29th National Symposium on plasma science and Technology- Plasma 2014, India).
19. Optical Time of flight measurements of laser-produced metal plasmas: Short pulse and ultrafast excitations.  N. Smijesh, K. Chandrasekharan, Reji Philip (Conference proceedings of 24th Swadeshi Science Congress, National Seminar, Kerala, India).
20. Acceleration of neutrals in an expanding laser-produced Zn plasma. N. Smijesh, Kavya H. Rao and Reji Philip (Conference proceedings of the Theme meeting on ultrafast science (UFS)- 2014, DAE- BRNS, India).
21. Influence of laser pulse width on the emission dynamics of laser-produced Zn plasma in nitrogen ambient.  N. Smijesh, K. Chandrasekharan, Reji Philip (Conference proceedings of National Laser Symposium- 22, DAE- BRNS, India).
22. Time-resolved spectroscopy of CI and CII line emissions from an ultrafast laser-produced solid graphite plasma.  N. Smijesh, K. Chandrasekharan, R. Philip, AIP conf. Proc. 1620, 517 (2014).
23. Indigo carmine dye polymer nanocomposite films for optical limiting applications. Sreeja, S. Mayadevi, S. R. Suresh, P. G. L. Frobel, N. Smijesh, R. Philip, C. I. Muneera, AIP Conf. Proc. 1391, 618 (2011).
24. Thermal diffusivity measurements of dental resin using photo-acoustic effect. N. Smijesh, L. K. Joseph, A. Kurien, V. P. N. Nampoori, IEEE-ICIAS-2007 (DOI:10.1109 ICIAS.2007.4658397).

Some Useful links

1. Max Plank Institute of Quantum Optics
2. RElativistic Attosecond physics Laboratory (REAL)
3. Extreme light infrastructure
4. Centre for Quantum Communication and Communication Technology (CQCCT)