M.S. Ramachandra Rao : Electronic, spectroscopic and mechanical properties of thin films, nanostructures and advanced materials

Our group focusses on the physics and applications of thin films, nanostrcutures and advanced materials. In this talk, I will give a brief introduction to low-dimensional systems followed by an outline about our research activities highlighting some of the recent results on the growth of self-assembled ZnO nanostructures for light emission. I will also highlight some of our research activities on magnetic nanoparticles, fast oxygen diffusion and large area piezo-thin film fabrication for underwater applications. My talk will then focus on diamond which is a very fascinating material that offers half a dozen different applications. The hardness of diamond can be used to enhance the life of machine cutting tools, which the aerospace industry is in need of when dealing with maching of MMCs. It’s high thermal conductivity can be used in thermal spreaders. It’s unique transparncey to cut-off high energy radiation makes it an effective radiation resistant coating meterial. And more importantly, diamond, despite being one of the most resistive materials, it is driven to a superconducting state by boron doping and this has been a breakthrough in this decade. Some of our rcent exicitng results on superconducvity in boron doped diamond will be presented.