Thin film deposition, ceramic synthesis, and materials processing methodologies
Physical vapour deposition of metallic and oxide thin films using direct-current and radio-frequency magnetron sputtering systems for precise compositional control.
KrF excimer laser system for growth of high-quality epitaxial and polycrystalline oxide thin films on various substrates under controlled oxygen partial pressure.
Conventional solid-state reaction route for bulk ceramic fabrication with controlled atmosphere sintering up to 1600 °C for complex oxide systems.
High-energy planetary ball milling for synthesis and size reduction of oxide nanoparticles with controlled morphology and crystallite size distribution.
Wet-chemical synthesis for nanoparticles, ceramics, and thin-film precursor preparation with compositional homogeneity at the molecular level.
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a process used to produce high-quality, high-performance solid materials, such as thin films and coatings. It involves exposing a substrate to volatile gaseous precursors that react or decompose on the heated surface to form the desired solid deposit
Ferroelectric tester is used to measure and analyze the electrical properties of ferroelectric materials, such as polarization, coercive field, and hysteresis behavior. It helps to evaluate material performance for applications in memory devices, sensors, and actuators.
An LCR meter is widely used in dielectric studies to measure a material’s capacitance, inductance, and resistance across different frequencies. By analyzing these parameters, researchers can determine dielectric constant, loss tangent, and other electrical properties essential for understanding insulating and ferroelectric materials.
Structural, optical, electrical, and biological characterization tools employed in the laboratory
Structural characterization including phase identification, lattice parameter determination, and Rietveld refinement for phase-pure ceramic and thin-film samples.
Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for surface morphology, grain size analysis, roughness measurement, and nanoscale topographical imaging.
UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy for band gap determination, transmittance studies, and optical characterization of thin films and nanoparticles.
Frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric permittivity and loss tangent measurements for ceramic and thin-film capacitor structures across a broad spectral range.
Polarization–electric field (P-E) hysteresis loop measurements and leakage current analysis for evaluation of ferroelectric switching behaviour and remnant polarization.
Direct and converse piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) measurement, electrostrain characterisation, and resonance-antiresonance analysis of piezoelectric ceramic actuators and sensors.
DC conductivity, current–voltage (I-V) characteristics, and Hall-effect measurements for carrier concentration and mobility determination in semiconductor and oxide thin films.
Broad-band complex impedance analysis from mHz to MHz for grain/grain-boundary conductivity separation, relaxation dynamics, and equivalent circuit modelling.
Surface elemental composition and chemical-state analysis of oxide thin films and ceramics; used for valence-state determination and binding-energy characterisation.
Vibrational mode analysis for phase identification, structural phase transitions, oxygen vacancy studies, and strain characterisation in functional oxide systems.
In-vitro biocompatibility assessment of bioceramic scaffolds including cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation assays using osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines.
Photolithographic and electron-beam lithographic patterning for micro- and nano-scale device fabrication, electrode definition, and thin-film sensor structuring.
Externally funded projects from national agencies
| # | Project Title | Sponsoring Agency | Budget (₹ Lakhs) | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Pt/Magnetic Insulator Heterostructures for Efficient Spin Current Generation and Detection with Low-Dissipation Spin Transport | ANRF | 100.00 (1 Cr) | In Progress | Ongoing |
| 18 | Development of Indigenous Ceramic Discs for Thin Film Deposition Applications (Startup Proposal) | IITG Technology Innovation & Development Foundation | 60.00 | Ongoing | Ongoing |
| 17 | Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Bio-medical & AlN Ceramics for Semiconductor Applications | M/s Chemdist Membrane Systems Pvt Ltd | 13.00 | 28/02/2022 – 27/02/2024 | Completed |
| 16 | Exploring the Novel Piezoelectric Ternary Nitride System for Realizing Efficient High-Temperature Ultrasonic Transducer and AE Sensors (Co-PI) | STARS | 45.00 | 01/04/2024 – 31/05/2027 | Ongoing |
| 15 | Development of Corrosive-Resistant Coatings for Underwater Applications | IITG Technology Innovation & Development Foundation | 50.00 | 30/11/2022 – 29/11/2025 | Ongoing |
| 14 | Smart Wearable Advanced nanoSensing Technologies in Healthcare ASICs (SWASTHA) (Co-PI) | MeitY, Govt. of India | 4000.00 (40 Cr) | 01/04/2022 – 31/03/2026 | Ongoing |
| 13 | Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program Idea to Innovation (INUP–i2i) (PI) | MeitY, Govt. of India | 1000.00 (10 Cr) | 01/09/2021 – 31/08/2024 | Completed |
| 12 | Development of Indigenous Ceramic Discs for Sputter Sources and Electronic Applications | DSIR & MOST | 10.00 | 31/08/2022 – 31/12/2023 | Completed |
| 11 | Development of Low Loss Ni-Zn Ferrite for High Power Circulators | ISRO | 37.00 | 23/09/2021 – 31/03/2024 | Completed |
| 10 | Development of Biologically Active Ferroelectric Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂–(K₀.₅Na₀.₅NbO₃) Composite Thin Films for Biomedical Applications | DST Core Grant | 57.40 | 01/12/2019 – 31/03/2022 | Completed |
| 9 | Development of Pill Box Type RF Window Based on AlN Ceramics for 3.7 GHz | BRNS | 35.75 | 01/04/2018 – 31/03/2020 | Completed |
| 8 | Development of (K,Na)NbO₃ Ceramics Modified with LiTaO₃ and LiNbO₃ for Piezo and Pyroelectric Sensor Applications | BRNS | 35.00 | 01/04/2015 – 31/03/2018 | Completed |
| 7 | Dielectric and Thermal Characterization of Mg(Zr₀.₀₅Ti₀.₉₅)O₃ Ceramics for Microwave Window Applications | BRFST | 45.00 | 01/09/2012 – 31/03/2016 | Completed |
| 6 | Preparation and Characterization of Mg₂TiO₄ Ceramics by Mechanical Alloying | DRDO | 17.00 | 01/01/2010 – 31/03/2013 | Completed |
| 5 | Fabrication of K₀.₅Na₀.₅NbO₃ Ferroelectric Thin Film Capacitors by RF Magnetron Sputtering (Young Scientist Research Award) | BRNS | 18.00 | 01/01/2011 – 31/03/2014 | Completed |
| 4 | Deposition and Characterization of BNW Films for CMOS Applications (Young Scientist Research Award) | DST-SERB | 15.00 | 01/01/2012 – 31/03/2015 | Completed |
| 3 | Preparation and Characterization of Barium Zinc Tantalate Films for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Applications | IIT Guwahati | 6.20 | 01/10/2010 – 31/03/2013 | Completed |
| 2 | FIST Program 2009, Phase I | DST | 150.00 | 2010 – 2015 | Completed |
| 1 | FIST Program 2016, Phase II | DST | 400.00 | 2015 – ongoing | Completed |
Large-scale funded and submitted proposals under national programmes
Approved under MeitY, Govt. of India. Officiating PI: HoC, Centre for Nanotechnology. Project Execution PIs: Prof. D. Pamu, Dr. S. Akshai Kumar (Chemistry), Dr. M. Arun Tej (EEE). Co-PIs: Members of Nanotechnology Centre.
Approved Grant: ₹10 Crore · Agency: MeitY, Govt. of India · Approved
Proposal for a Centre of Excellence focused on research and development of nanoelectronic devices for theranostic (therapy + diagnostics) biomedical applications. Phase II submitted to MeitY, Govt. of India.
Proposed Grant: ₹20 Crore · Agency: MeitY, Govt. of India · Phase II Submitted
Submitted to DST for Centre for Excellence in Nanomaterials. Collaborative proposal with Prof. S. C. Sharma, VC Tumkur University, and Dayananda Group Institutions.
Proposed Grant: ₹20 Crore · Agency: DST · Submitted
Proposal submitted to DST under the NIDHI (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations) programme for fostering innovation and technology translation from the Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati.
Proposed Grant: ₹6 Crore · Agency: DST · Submitted to DST
Technology translation and entrepreneurship initiatives emerging from laboratory research
Development of indigenous ceramic discs for sputter sources and electronic applications. Submitted for financial support to the Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) under the PRISM scheme — Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-Ups, and MSMEs.
Process development for sputtering targets and ceramic discs proposed as a startup under the INUP-i2i programme in the name of M/s DSP Innovations, leveraging indigenous manufacturing capabilities developed at IIT Guwahati.
Development of hybrid electrically active biocompatible ferroelectric thin films for biomedical applications. To be incubated under the Bio Nest programme from the Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati.
Major equipment and instruments available in the Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory
For deposition of single-component oxide and metallic thin films. Make: Advanced Process Technology, India.
Enables sequential or alternating deposition from two targets for multilayer thin-film structures. Make: Advanced Process Technology, India.
Simultaneous co-sputtering from three targets for complex multi-component oxide thin-film growth. Make: Advanced Process Technology, India.
Dielectric measurements with temperature variation from 25 °C to 500 °C for ceramic and thin-film samples. Make: Wayne Kerr Electronics, UK.
Precision microwave characterization of bulk ceramic substrates using resonant cavity method. Make: QWED, Poland.
Multi-frequency dielectric characterization of substrates and thin films at 5, 10, and 15 GHz. Make: QWED, Poland.
High-energy milling for oxide nanoparticle synthesis and ceramic powder preparation with controlled particle size. Make: Fritsch GmbH, Germany.
Hydraulic pellet press for preparation of KBr discs and ceramic pellets for FTIR and dielectric measurements. Make: Technosearch Instruments, India.
Programmable sintering furnace for high-temperature oxide ceramic processing with controlled heating profiles. Make: Lenton, UK.
Rapid, energy-efficient microwave sintering of ceramic compacts with uniform volumetric heating. Make: Enerzi Heating Reinvented, India.
Broadband impedance analysis with temperature variation from −140 °C to 400 °C for dielectric relaxation studies. Make: Agilent Technologies & Novocontrol, Germany.
P-E hysteresis loop, fatigue, retention, and imprint measurements for ferroelectric ceramic and thin-film capacitor characterization. Make: Radiant Technologies, USA.
High-voltage DC poling of piezoelectric and ferroelectric ceramic samples for domain alignment and piezoelectric activation. Make: Marine, India.
Precision pH measurement for sol-gel and wet-chemical synthesis processes during nanoparticle and ceramic precursor preparation. Make: Eutech Instruments, Singapore.
Dielectric and impedance measurements with temperature variation from 25 °C to 100 °C for thin-film and device characterization. Make: Keysight, USA.