Name                    :                 RAVI    A. V.   KUMAR

 

Date of Birth        :                    27th May, 1964

 

Address at Work     :                Scientist, BETA Lab, FEL Program,

                                                Institute for Plasma Research,

                                                Near Indira Bridge, Bhat,

                                                Gandhinagar 382 428,

                                                Gujarat, India

 

FAX    :   + 91- 79- 3969017 (office)

Phone   :   + 91- 79- 3969001 to 015  Extn.272 (office)

Phone   :   +91-79-286 5724 (residence)

Telex    :   121 - 7016 IPR  IN

E-mail  :   <ravi@ipr.res.in>

URL     :   http://www.ipr.res.in/~ravi

 

 

 

Educational  Profile :

 

 

Degree                         : Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D., 1993)

Period of study             : 1986 - 1992 (thesis submitted in December 1992)

University                     : Cochin University of Science & Technology, Cochin 682 022, Kerala, India

Title of  Thesis              : "Applications of Laser Induced Photo-acoustic Effect to the Study of Gases

                                       and Solids”

 

Degree                         : Diploma in Foreign Language

Period of Study            : 1986-1988

University                     : Department of  Foreign Languages, Cochin University of Science &

                                      Technology,  Cochin  682 022, Kerala, India

Subject                         : Russian

 

Degree                         : Master of Science (M.Sc., 1986)

Period of study : 1984 - 1986

University                     : Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

College                         : Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, Cochin 682 011

Subject                         : Physics with specialization in Electronics

 

Degree                         : Bachelor of Science (B.Sc., 1983)

Period of study : 1981 - 1983

University                     : Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

College                         : Bharat Mata College, Thrikkakara, Cochin 682 031

Subject                         : Physics with Chemistry & Mathematics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards/fellowships

 

1991-1993       Senior Research Fellowship       Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR),

                                                                             Government of India

 

1999-2001       Post-doctoral fellowship               Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS),

                                                                              Government of Japan

 

SUMMARY OF Ph.D. WORK :

 

Title of Ph.D.Thesis : "Applications of Laser Induced Photo-acoustic Effect to the Study of Gases and Solids”                                

 

 

THESIS ADVISOR :   Prof. C. P. Girija  Vallabhan Ph.D.,

                                    Professor & Director, International School of Photonics,

                                    Cochin University of Science & Technology,

                                    Cochin 682 022, Kerala, India 

 

The  major  area of the Ph.D. work is in the applications of  lasers to trace detection, characterization  and analysis of atmospheric pollutant   gases   like oxides   of  nitrogen,  sulfur dioxide   and  formaldehyde  using  laser induced  photo - acoustic  (PA)  technique  in  the  gas   phase. The  phenomenon of absorption of modulated light and  the subsequent  heat  released   in   the  process  of   non-radiative de-excitation is used in the PA technique.  The many advantages of this technique makes it an ideal tool for  in-situ  trace  gas detection and  analysis.

 

Laser produced   plasma   studies  and  laser  induced   damage studies   in polymers,  metals  and  high   temperature superconducting  materials using laser produced ultrasonics have also been carried out. The technique has also been used to estimate the laser fluence in laser-plasma experiments.

 

The experiments  for  the  PA detection   of   some of   the pollutant  gases were undertaken   using both Argon  ion  (cw) and Nd:YAG (pulsed) lasers, both  pumping  Rhodamine 6G dye lasers.   A Single cavity PA cell and a double  cavity, differential PA  cell  were designed  and fabricated for pulsed  and cw applications respectively  and the  cell characteristics studied in detail.   The  detection  of some common atmospheric pollutants was carried out in the laboratory scale using laser-photoacoustic spectroscopy.  By  the two-photon  absorption (TPA) technique induced by the  pulsed dye laser, the TPA  spectrum of formaldehyde vapor  was established for the first time  in  the   550- 560nm   region.   The  PA signature spectra  of  nitrogen dioxide  was established in the 550-560nm and in the 560- 610nm regions using  both the pulsed and cw dye lasers.   The dependence  of  the PA signals with various   parameters were  also  studied  in detail and the  detection limits obtained   in the period of research were a few  tens  of ppm.   An attempt  was  also  made  in   recording   the high  resolution spectra of nitrogen  dioxide   using   a mode-locked ring dye laser, but due to the complexity  of the   results,  a  complete analysis of the data was beyond the scope of the PhD. 

 

The  PA  technique was also applied to detect  the  laser induced  damage on various  kinds  of  materials  ranging from   laser optics (coated and uncoated)   to   metals and  bulk polymers.   The abrupt change in the PA  signal from   an   acoustic transducer attached to  the  sample under  test  indicates  the  onset  of  the  damage.   It was    also   observed   that   this   technique    could differentiate between the surface and bulk  damage  which occurs   in  that order.   The different kinds  of  laser produced  damages  on   perspex    and   quartz optical plates    were    also   studied   using    metallurgical microscope.    This  technique can be applied to  in-situ monitoring  of high power laser optics to  protect  them from damage.

 

 

TECHNIQUES  AND  EXPERTISE   :

 

·      Laser induced Fluorescence                                    

·      Opto-galvanic spectroscopy

·      Photoacoustic & Photothermal deflection technique 

·      Laser produced plasma emission spectroscopy

·      Working experience with Argon ion laser, ring dye laser, Nd:YAG laser, Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen lasers.

·      Boxcar-averaging and phase locked  (lock-in amplifier) detection techniques

·      High voltage systems : HV capacitor banks, Tesla transformers, Relativistic Electron Beam and its diagnostics, pulsed magnet systems and their synchronization/control etc.

·      Far-infra red experimental techniques, cooled FIR detectors, spectrometers.

·      Data acquisition from instruments and scientific data analyzing software like MathCad, Origin and also CAD package like AutoCad etc.

·      Experience in using FEL simulation tools like TDA-3D and Genesis.

 

Though not as a part of my Ph.D. program, I  have  also  worked  extensively in the field of laser induced plasma produced by pulsed  Nd:YAG  laser.   Studies  include optimization, spectroscopic determination  of  the  components  in the plasma, spatial and temporal evolution  of  the different species in the plasma of metals, polymers, graphite  and  high-temperature  superconductor  samples (Y-Ba-Cu-O and Gd-Ba-Cu-O  species).   Preliminary work in the field of laser assisted deposition of thin films have been also done.  I also have been associated with the design and development of a 30watt cw CO2 laser in our laser laboratory during my Ph.D. work.

JOB Profile :

 

NATURE OF WORK AT THE PRESENT JOB :

 

Since  April 1993,  I have  been working  as  a Scientist  at  the Institute  for  Plasma  Research,   which is an autonomous research Institute  of the Government of India. I  have   been involved  in  the  Free-Electron Laser (FEL) project. The   main work  assigned was to develop a pulsed, high power, mm  wave  FEL and its  diagnostics with the aim of using the laser  for  plasma heating  application  in the tokamak research being undertaken  by our Institute. 

 

My involvement in the FEL activities at our Institute include;

 

1.    Initial planning of the FEL work including design of wigglers, power supplies, control systems etc.

2.    Characterization and optimization of the 400 kV, 1 kA  pulsed relativistic electron beam  (REB) system, including beam current, beam voltage and energy measurements.

3.    Design, fabrication, optimization  and characterization of the 5, 20 and 50 period electromagnetic wigglers. The maximum obtained field-on-axis is ~ 4 kG with a pulsed current of ~ 9 kA

4.    Integration of the electron-beam and the wiggler systems and their power supplies, high voltage, high current switching circuits including design of trigger synchronization between wiggler and REB pulses.

5.    Setting up of in-situ diagnostics system for the electron beam, electromagnet wiggler, as well as a 6 channel, 18-170 GHz  (K, Ka, U, E, F & D bands) detector system for the FEL  microwave output.

6.    Electron beam propagation through the 5 and 20 period wiggler system and its optimization.

7.    FEL work with a 15 period, 45 cm  length  rare-earth permanent magnet wiggler system in collaboration with  University of Pune,  Pune, India to produce 26-50 GHz FEL radiation  has been initiated. Characterization of this wiggler and fabrication of support structures completed.

8.    Using the 20-period electromagnet wiggler, we have been able to  produce E-band (84 GHz) microwave radiation of a few hundred watts power using this setup. This is the first lasing of an FEL in India. Current experiments are directed towards  increasing the laser output power by at least an order of magnitude and also upgrade the 20 period wiggler to a 50 period wiggler.

9.    Fabrication, characterization  and integration of the 50-period wiggler has been completed and beam propagation studies are underway.

 

Post-Doctoral Research (1999-2001)

 

Completed a two post-doctoral research  program at the Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan, which is one of the leading national universities of Japan. Post-doctoral work included developmental experiments on Far-Infrared (40-200mm) Free-Electron Laser based on high energy electron beam linear accelerator (linac), with special interest in SASE-FEL processes and studies on harmonic generation.  Was also involved in conducting computer simulations  of the above experiment using Genesis FEL code. Also conducted simulation studies for the proposed FEL amplifier experiment to be initiated shortly at Osaka University.

 

 

 

Affiliations :

 

1.    Indian Laser Association, India                     :           Life Member since 1992

2.    Plasma Science Society Of India                  :           Life Member since 1997

 

 

Research Publications :

 

Over 20 research publications in peer reviewed journals and technical reports.  About 12 research papers have been accepted for presentation in International conferences and  have presented my work in five International conferences. Have presented more than 30 papers in various National Conferences in India.

 

 

 

 

Research Interests :

 

Free electron laser related experimental and simulation work. Electron beam accelerators and insertion devices. Pulsed HV systems, sub nano second signal detection.

 

 

Other Interests & hobbies :

 

Photography, Camping/Hiking, Web related art designing and layout work, music, electronics and computer hardware/software.

 

 

 

Date : 6th March 2002                                                                                     

Place : Ahmedabad, India                                                                                 (Dr. Ravi A.V. Kumar)


 

MAIN  RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (in Journals/Books/Research Reports)

 

Non-FEL based research publications  :

 

 

1

"Two-Photon  Absorption Spectrum Of Formaldehyde  Using Pulsed Gas Phase Photoacoustic spectroscopy" A.V. RAVI KUMAR,  G. Padmaja, V.P.N. Nampoori  and C.P.G. Vallabhan, In  the book `Photoacoustics and Photothermal  Phenomena II', Ed. by J.C. Murphy, Springer-Verlag

(Heidelberg),  page 360, 1990.

2

"Spectral Features Of Laser Induced Plasma From Y-Ba-Cu-O And Gd-Ba-Cu-O High Tc Superconductors" G. Padmaja, A.V. RAVI KUMAR, V.P.N.  Nampoori, P. Radhakrishnan and C.P.G.  Vallabhan, Pramana-J.of Physics, (India) vol.32, p.L693, 1989. 

3

"Time Evolution Of Laser Induced Plasma From Gd-Ba-Cu-O High Tc  Superconductors" G Padmaja, A.V. RAVI KUMAR,  V. Vidyalal, P. Radhkrishnan,  V.P.N. Nampoori and  C.P.G. Vallabhan, J.Phys.D:(Appl.Phys.)(U.K.), Vol.22, p.1558, 1989.

4

"Photoacoustic Detection of Two Photon Absorption in Formaldehyde Using Pulsed Dye Laser" A.V.RAVI KUMAR, G. Padmaja, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, Pramana-J.of Physics, (India), Vol.33, p.L621, 1989.

5

"Photoacoustic  Detection Of Two Photon  Absorption  In Formaldehyde  At 1.06 mm Laser Wavelength" A.V. RAVI KUMAR, G. Padmaja, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, J. Acoust.Soc.India, vol.17, p.355, 1989

6

"Photoacoustic Detection Of High Resolution Spectra Of Caf:Nd3+  Using Ring Dye Laser"  S.Gopikrishnan, A.V. RAVI KUMAR, R. Navil Kumar, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, J.Acoust.Soc.India, vol.17, p.69, 1990.

7

"Detection Of Air Flow From Laser Irradiated Target Using Photothermal  Deflection Technique" K. Rajasree, A.V.RAVI KUMAR, P. Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G.Vallabhan, J.Acoust.Soc.India, vol.17, p.24, 1990.

8

"Pulsed Photoacoustic Spectrum Of Nitrogen Dioxide : Pressure And Laser Power Dependence In The 560-570 nm Region" A.V. RAVI KUMAR, G. Padmaja, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G.Vallabhan, J.Acoust.Soc.India, vol.17,  p.44, 1990.

9

"Photoacoustic Detection Of Modulated CO2 Laser Beam" K. Ratnakaran, A.V.RAVI KUMAR, and C.P.G. Vallabhan, J.Acoust.Soc.India, vol.17, p.48, 1990.

10

"Observation of Two Photon Induced Photoemission Optogalvanic Effect" P.R. Sasi Kumar, G. Padmaja, A.V.RAVI KUMAR, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, Pramana-J.of Physics (India), no.36, p.423, 1991.

11

"Characteristics Of Laser Induced  Plasma From High Tc Superconductor" G. Padmaja, A.V.RAVI KUMAR, P. Radhkrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, Bull. Material Sci., (India) no.14, p.545, 1991

12

"Evaluation Of Laser Ablation Threshold In Polymer Samples Using Pulsed Photoacoustic Technique" A.V.RAVI KUMAR, G.Padmaja, P.Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G.Vallabhan, Pramana-J.of Physics (India), vol.37, p.345, 1991

13

"Damage Threshold Determination Of Bulk Polymer Samples By Photothermal Deflection Technique" K.Rajasree, A.V. RAVI KUMAR, P.Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G.Vallabhan, Bull. Material Sci. (India),   vol.15, p.183, 1992

14

"Pulsed   Photoacoustic   Technique   For   The Measurement Of Laser Damage Threshold In Bulk Polymers" A.V.R. KUMAR, G. Padmaja, P. Radhakrishnan, V.P.N. Nampoori   and   C.P.G.  Vallabhan,   In   the book `Photoacoustics  and Photothermal Phenomena  III',  Ed.  Dane Bicanic, Springer-Verlag  (Heidelberg),  p.489, 1992.

15

"Spatial And Temporal Analysis Of Laser Induced Plasma From A Polymer Sample" G.Padmaja,  A.V.  RAVI  KUMAR, P.Radhkrishnan,  V.P.N. Nampoori and C.P.G. Vallabhan, J.Phys.D:(Appl.Phys) (U.K.), vol.25, p.33, 1993.

 

 
FEL related publications

 

 

1

"Diagnostics For Pulsed, High Power Microwave FEL Radiation" A.V.RAVI KUMAR and K.K.Jain,   Technical Report, Institute for Plasma Research, IPR/TR-52/94, April, 1994

2

"Propagation Of Sheet Electron Beam Through A Planar, Five Period Electromagnetic Wiggler"  A.V.RAVI KUMAR  and K.K. Jain,  Appl.Phys.Lett., (U.S.A.), vol.69, no.3, p.290, 1996

3

"Experimental Study Of Plasma Charging In A Multi-gap Pseudospark  Discharge", D.Sriram, A.V. RAVI KUMAR and K.K.Jain, IPR Research Report, IPR/RR-152/96 April, 1996

4

Generation Of Microwave Free-Electron Laser Radiation Using Sheet Electron Beam And  Electromagnet  Wiggler”, A.V.RAVI KUMAR, K. K. Mohandas and K. K. Jain, IEEE Trans.Plasma Sci., (U.S.A.), vol. 26, No.3, pp.556-560, June, 1998.

5

Peak-Detector-Hold Based Circuit For Trigger Synchronization Of The Electron Beam and Wiggler In A Free-Electron Laser Experiment”, A.V. RAVI KUMAR, K.K. Mohandas, K. Sathyanarayana  and K.K.Jain, Rev.Sci.Instrum.(U.S.A.), 70, 1359 (1999).

6

“An Off-axis Fifty Period Electromagnet Wiggler for Millimeter Wave Free Electron Laser Experiment”    K.K. Mohandas, A.V. RAVI KUMAR and K.K. Jain, IEEE Trans.Plasma Sci., (U.S.A.), 28, No.3, p.621,(2000)

7

“Basic study of self-amplified spontaneous emission in the infrared region with L-band linac at Osaka University” R Kato, R.A.V. KUMAR, T. Okita, S Kondo, T Igo, T. Konishi, S.Okuda, S. Suemine and G. Isoyama, Nucl.Instr.and Meth. A 445, (2000), 164-168

8

“Simulation Studies Of The Proposed Far-Infrared FEL  Amplifier At ISIR, Osaka UniversityRavi  A.V. KUMAR,  Ryukou Kato  and Goro Isoyama , Nucl.Instr.and Meth. A 475, 343-347, (2001)

10

“Wavelength Spectrum of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission in the Far-Infrared Region” R. Kato, T. Okita, R. A. V. Kumar, T. Igo, T. Konishi, M. Kuwahara, M. Fujimoto, S. Mitani, S. Okuda, S. Suemine and G. Isoyama, Nucl.Instr.and Meth. A 475, 334-338, (2001)

11

“Study on the Focusing Property of a Planar Wiggler for the Infrared FEL” M. Fujimoto, R. Kato, M. Kuwahara, T. Igo, T. Okita, T. Konishi, R. A. V. Kumar, S. Mitani, S. Suemine and G. Isoyama,

Nucl.Instr.and Meth. A, (accepted for publication), (2002)

 

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