Prof H.S. Hans Memorial Lecture, March 2017

Panjab University, Chandigarh
Department of Physics, Centre of Advanced Study

First H.S. Hans Memorial Lecture

  Prof. H. S. Hans earned B.A. from Panjab University in 1945, M.Sc (Physics) degree from Banaras Hindu University in 1948 and Ph.D. from  Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1956. He established a 150 kV Cockcroft-Walton type accelerator at AMU in 1958.  He served as Head, Department of Physics at Panjab University (1967-1979), where he established the Variable Energy Cyclotron that was gifted from Rochester University (NY). Prof. Hans played leading role for the Nuclear Physics community in proposing Accelerator-based centres for universities. The efforts resulted in the Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, based on a 15 MV Tandem accelerator. Prof. Hans has dedicated his whole life in developing the Accelerator-based Nuclear Science in Indian Universities. He has been conferred with prestigious “INS Outstanding Service Award” instituted by Indian Nuclear Society under the category of Nuclear Science Education for the year 2011.
 Prof. H.S. Hans (1922 –2014)

 Prof. P.D. Gupta
Vice Chancellor, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai
Speaks on
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION AND INTENSE LASER BEAMS  FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS

 Prof. P.D. Gupta, Former Director, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, and Vice-Chancellor, Homi Bhabha National Institute (deemed to be university), Mumbai, is an internationally known laser-plasma physicist. An alumnus of Panjab University, an excellent teacher and research team leader, Prof. Gupta has been deeply involved in R&D programmes in frontline areas of lasers, particle accelerators, related advanced technologies and their applications, and human resource development.

Abstract:  Synchrotron radiation and intense laser beams are powerful tools at the fore-front of present day scientific research and technological development. The last two decades have witnessed a phenomenal growth in these areas world-wide and considerable progress has been achieved in our country as well. Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, a premier unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, is engaged in R&D activities in the areas of lasers and synchrotron radiation sources. The Centre has designed, developed, and commissioned country’s two largest accelerators, Indus-1 and Indus-2 serving as synchrotron radiation sources of 450 MeV and 2.5 GeV energy, respectively. These home-built machines are operated in round-the clock mode and are national facilities used by researchers from all over the country. Besides, a variety of high power laser systems have been developed and used for applications in basic research, industry and strategic areas.

In this lecture, an overview of R&D activities on synchrotron radiation sources and intense laser beams and their applications being pursued at RRCAT will be presented. Recent advances like laser driven acceleration of charged particles (way to table top accelerators),  free electron lasers, innovative laser cutting operations in nuclear reactors, and novel technology of laser welding of superconducting cavities for big accelerators will be discussed. Some basic and applied research work from utilization of Indus Synchrotron Radiation Sources will also be presented.

Click to view Lecture on Synchrotron Radiation and Intense Laser Beams for Innovative Research and Applications by P. D. Gupta (Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai) at Department of Physics, Panjab University Chandigarh on March 24, 2017