Particulars from the Department

i. General Courses conducted with special papers :

(a) Two year (plus 2 level) Higher Secondary (Physics) under AHSEC

(b) Three year BSc (major in Physics) under GU. 

Total seats : 40. 

(c) Four semester MSc in Physics under GU with special papers in

(i) Advanced condensed matter Physics
(ii) Advanced Electronics
(iii) High energy Physics
(iv) Nuclear Physics

Total seats : 18


ii. Add on or any other certificate/diploma courses

An Add on course on computer applications of six months duration is being introduced from the month of November, 2007. The course is designed to cover the computer basics, office productivity software, database management, internet and e-mail basics, finding information online and numerical methods.

iii. Ongoing major research Project

(a) STUDY OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND INTENSE RAINFALL EVENTS IN THE NORTH EAST INDIA

Funded by: Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.

Supervised by: Prof Bhupen Goswami, Director, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.

Implemented by : Sri Rahul Mahanta, Lecturer in Physics, Cotton College

Under: Indian Institute of Science, Bangaluru
Objectives:

(1) To provide the climatological information necessary for setting up a mesonet of observation in North East India
(2) Development of a model for severe thunderstorms (Bordoichila) of North East India.
(3) Identify Large scale dynamic and thermodynamic structures of the atmosphere influencing intense rainfall events.

(b) HIMSELP PROJECT 

Implemented by: Dr. Ranjit Singha, Lecturer (SG) in Physics, Cotton College

HIMALAYAN SCHOOL EARTHQUAKE LABORATORY PROGRAMME (HIMSELP) in the North East India is a project under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. The observatory at Cotton College is implemented by the Department of Earth Sciences, Manipur University in cooperation with the Department of Physics, Cotton College.

It is one of the 39 planned observatories in the entire north east region: Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim and Darjeeling (WB).

It constantly monitors the seismic activities of this region through digital data acquisition system. The system consists of the following:

(1) Seimic sensor-V7257
(2) Digitizer-DG 35
(3) GPS
(4) PC with necessary software
(5) Solar panel and the UPS system 

The data collected here are sent to Manipur University from time to time for data analysis from the date of its installation, i.e. 21-06006. In addition to the data acquisition, the project aims to create awareness among the School as well as college students of this region.

(C) HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS LAB

March 1999-March 2002
Title: Measurement of indoor radon/thoron levels in Digboi oilfield using SSNTDs
Sponsoring agency: ASTEC, Govt. of Assam, Guwahati
PI: Dr. I. Laskar
Research Coordinator: Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami
Research Fellow: Sri Debajyoti Barooah.

April 2002-March 2004
Title: Estimation of radon its progeny using SSNTDs in and around oil and coal deposits of Upper Assam-related health hazards and its implications on life supporting systems
Sponsoring agency: DST, Govt. of India, New Delhi
PI: Dr. I. Laskar
Research Coordinator: Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami
Research Fellow: Sri Debajyoti Barooah.

April 2004-March 2006
Title: Study of radon anomaly in and around the Mashimpur anticlinal structure of South Assam-its implications for hydrocarbon prospecting and related health hazard
Sponsoring agency: DST, Govt. of India, New Delhi
PI: Dr. I. Laskar
Research Coordinator: Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami
Research Fellow: Sri Debajyoti Barooah

N.B.: One Research Fellow (D. Barooah), working on this line of research, has already submitted thesis for his Ph.D. degree to the Gauhati University in 2005 (result is awaited). He worked under the joint supervision of Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami (Formerly Principal, Cotton College) and Dr. Indumati Laskar (Retd. S.G. Lecturer, Cotton College) and is presently a member of the faculty of the Department of Physics, Cotton College.

(D) NUCLEAR RESEARCH PROJECT

In 1961, a project on High Energy Physics by using nuclear emulsion technique was started in the Department of Physics, Cotton College by Dr. G C Deka who obtained his PhD degree from Bristol University, UK under Prof. C F Powel, Nobel Laureate. The project was funded by the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India from 1961 to 1966. From 1966 onwards, it has been funded by the Govt. of Assam. This project happens to be the first research project in the entire North-East. So far, twelve scholars have obtained PhD degree from this project under GU. Prof. K M Pathak, former VC of Tezpur University was the first scholar of this project and was also the first scholar to have been awarded the PhD degree by the Gauhati University. Further work is in progress.


vi. Awards/Honour received from any agency

Sri Ganesh Wary, who is presently holding the portfolio of the General Secretary, Asian Thermo physical properties Conference has recently chaired the keynote and a technical session of the VIII Asian Thermo physical properties Conference session of Asian Thermo physical Society on 24th Aug, 2007 held in Japan.

v. Innovative activities

THE PROJECT IDSC

The Instrument Development and Service Centre (IDSC) is a collaborative project of the Department of Physics, Cotton College and the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council. It started functioning in the Department of Physics, Cotton College, in the year 1996 with the following objectives 

• To improve and activate the laboratory teaching and learning mainly in undergraduate science colleges.
• Redesigning existing experiments to make them learning friendly. 
• Fabricating improved experiments and equipment.
• Repairing of instruments.

Training Course in IDSC:

IDSC has been imparting a certificate level training course in "Physics Laboratory Instrumentation". The duration of the course is three week. Moreover it has imparted instrumentation training to physics teachers of H.S. Schools and some faculty members of the Dept. of Instrumentation, Dibrugarh University.

Instruments designed by IDSC:

1. Electronic induction coil 
2. High current regulated power supply.
3. Regulated power supply ( 5V, 9V and 12V)
4. Precision regulator.
5. Null detector.
6. Electronically controlled constant temperature bath.
7. Electrical furnace.
8. Micro to milli-ampere current converter.
9. Filtered, regulated and continuously variable (0 – 12.5V, 2 A) power supply
10. OPAM checker
11. Temperature controller thermistor drive
12. Temperature controller relay drive

Experimental kits developed by IDSC: 

1) Transistor characteristic (CB/CE) experimental 
(N-P-N/P-N-P) kit.
2) L-C-R experimental kit. 
3) Anderson bridge experimental kit.
4) R-C Couple amplifier to determine bandwidth and Q-value.
5) Multivibrator experimental kit to determine R-C time constant.
6) Ripple factor experiment for full and half wave.
7) Complete LASER kit for verification of Kirchhoff’s diffraction law. 
8) Resonance column experiment.
9) AND, NOT, NOR logic gate kit.
10) Junction diode kit for forward and reverse biased characteristic analysis.
11) Thermistor kit to study thermistor characteristic and determination of melting point of petroleum wax.
12) Zener diode experiment.
13) Ripple factor experiment ( π and L – section) for half and full – wave.
14) Joule’s Calorimeter kit.
15) Kit for determination of unknown AC frequency by Sonometer.
16) Torch bulb resistance measurement kit.
17) Conversion of galvanometer to ammeter/voltmeter.
18) Complete kit to study decay and growth of R-C circuit( CRO not needed).
19) Triode valve characteristics measurement kit.
20) Emitter follower experimental kit.
21) Kit to measure R, Z and L of a choke coil in an L-R circuit
22) Kit to study gain of an OPAM in inverting & non-inverting condition with offset nulling facility
23) Open loop gain measurement of an OPAM
24) Kit to verify De-Morgan's theorem
25) Kit to verify Norton's and Thevenin's theorem
26) OPAM kit to study frequency response and transfer characteristics in negative feedback mode with different gain


Cost of the IDSC products:

The cost of IDSC products and services are normally 40-60% less than the open market price if measured at the same level of quality.. Moreover the quality of the instruments /experimental kits are very high. and are reliable, easier for explanation . In addition to these, every kit of IDSC is supported by a manual. 

Name of the Institutions / Colleges purchasing products and services from IDSC: 

1) Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
2) Solid-state Laboratory, Dept of Physics, Gauhati University 
3) Department of Geology, Gauhati University.
4) Department of Instrumentation, Dibrugarh Unigersity.
5) Centre of Plasma Physics, Sonapur
6) College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati 
7) Department of Physics, Cotton College, Guwahati.
8) Department of Botany, Cotton College, Guwahati
9) Handique Girls College, Guwahati.
10) B. Barooah College, Guwahati
11) Pandu College, Guwahati.
12) Guwahati College, Noonmati
13) Srimanta Sankar Academy, Guwahati.
14) Govt. Science College, Jorhat.
15) Pub-Kamrup College, Baihata Chariali.
16) Navajyoti College, Kalgacia, Batrpeta. 
17) Birjhara Mahavidyalya, Bongaigaon.
18) M. C. College, Barpeta.
19) Darang College, Tezpur.
20) Diphu Govt. College, Diphu
21) B. H. College, Howli. 
22) North Guwahati College, North Guwahati.
23) Sonapur College, Sonapur
24) Abhayapuri College, Abhayapuri
25) Assam Engineering College, Guwahati

Repairing of Instrument:

IDSC has repaired various types of electrical, electronic, mechanical, optical, nuclear detection equipments of a number of institutions and research laboratories of higher studies. The instruments are e.g., Computer, UPS, C.R.O., Voltage Stabilizer, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Galvanometer, Electronic balance, UV/Visible Photo- Spectrometer, Microscope, Gamma ray spectrometer, G. M. counter, Transformer etc. Moreover IDSC accepts projects of assembling of computer and fabrication of industry related equipment. 

Future Plan of IDSC:

For extensive R&D work in the line of IDSC, a project with an outlay ~ Rs.50 lacs has been submitted to the DST, Govt. of India, through ASTEC. The project has been sanctioned but the money has not been still cleared because of certain queries.
With the clearance of the project it has the aim to launch the following research work and training courses along with the on-going works. These are (1) Fabrication of low cost solar power lamp (2) Thin film and Junction study (3) Computer interfacing (4) Post graduate diploma course in instrumentation (5) Diploma course in instrumentation for physics laboratory assistants and (6) Diploma course in instrumentation for rural development work etc.

Achievements of IDSC:

1) In spite of being lowly financed, the project has been able to gain popularity amongst different institutions and research laboratories throughout the length and breadth of the state of Assam, by providing low cost and quality equipments, experimental kits, repairing facilities, training, consultancy etc. At present, the project IDSC, has almost achieved self sufficiency with the existing pattern of salary and the least available facilities.

2) IDSC has not only fulfilled the objectives of the project, but also provides its expertise to different research laboratories and higher academic institutions of the state of Assam.

3) The instrument "Electronic induction coil", designed and fabricated by IDSC has been placed through ASTEC for getting patent authority. 

4) It is found to be the only organization in our state which has been designing and fabricating new experimental kits as prescribed in the changed syllabus (B.Sc & M.Sc) of the Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and Assam University, Silchar. In addition, the project has been able to provide its services and facility for completion of student projects assigned by different institutions and universities at nominal cost. 

5) The expertise gained by the scientific assistants in fabrication and designing of equipments and experimental kit, help them getting job at different industries, research laboratories and higher institutions. For example (i) three in the Physics Department of IIT, Guwahati, (ii) two in the IAF, Govt. of India, as Flying Officer (Scientific), (iii) two in OIL, Govt. of India, (iv) one in Schlumberger company, a reputed oil exploring company of Germany, (v) one in the Department of Physics, Tezpur University etc.

As a whole, it is observed that getting hand in experience by working in IDSC as scientific assistant, a very good job is almost guaranteed within a year or two, particularly in IIT, Guwahati or Tezpur University, even if the candidates do not possess good academic result upto M.Sc in Physics/ M.Sc in Electronics/ M.Sc in Instrumentation etc. 

6) The Higher Secondary Council of Assam, has assured us to take our expertise to carry out a qualitative assessment of physics laboratories of some higher secondary schools and in physics demonstrator training to be conducted very recently. 

7) The project IDSC has been selected as one of the best state level project by DST for the period 2005-06. A complete film on IDSC has been produced by DST, Govt. of India, for the purpose of country wide projection.

8) The success of the project has been discussed in the state assembly of Asom in 2006. Accordingly, the Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of Assam, has proposed to established four IDSC like project at different Districts of Assam. 

9) The activities and the success of the project of IDSC have been published in the leading news papers like: The Assam Tribune, The Times of India, The Statesmen etc.


(vi) Collaborative projects, if any

1. Study of Severe Thunderstorms and Intense Rainfall Events in the North East India. (para iii (a)).

2. Himalayan School Earthquake Laboratory Programme (HIMSELP) (para iii (b)).


(vii) Significant achievement of the Department

1. The Department of Physics, Cotton College produced the 1st PhD of the Gauhati University. Since then more than thirty scholars have obtained PhD Degree from the Department under Gauhati University.

2. A number of Shanti Sharup Bhatnagar awardees were alumni of the Department.

3. The Department encourages its students to pursue higher studies in top institutions after their graduation. Every year, a number of students qualify for admission to Indian Institute of Science, Bangaluru, IITs, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad etc. The statistics for the batch (BSc) of 2007 are as under :

1. MSc and PhD program in Indian Institute of Science, 
Bangaluru: 1
2. MSc program in IIT, Kanpur : 1
3. Off campus MTech program from BITS, Pilani: 2
(Through WIPRO)
4. Recruitment by Cognizant Technology Solutions: 6


(viii) Research journals subscribed by the Department :

Presently, no research journal is subscribed by the Department.

(ix) Consultancy service :

Consultancy service is provided through the IDSC as mentioned in para V.

(x) Any other significant academic matters:

1. The Postgraduate section of the Department has been accredited permanent affiliation by the Gauhati University. 

2. Nuclear Physics Laboratory and the High Energy Physics Laboratory of the department are recognized research laboratory under the Gauhati University.

3. The Department has received a grant of Rs. 50 Lac under the FIST program of DST, Govt. of India in the year 2002 for the improvement of the teaching and the laboratory facilities of the Department.

Particulars from the individual faculty members

 

1. Name : Dr. Prasanta Kumar Bordoloi Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : pkbordoloi@rediffmail.com Area of Specialization : Condensed Matter Physics and Nuclear Physics Consultancy Service :     2. Name : Dr. Dilip sarma Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address :   Area of Specialization : Electronics Consultancy Service :     3. Name : Dr. Santanu Kumar Baishya Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : sk_baishya@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : Condensed Matter Physics, nonlinear Dusty plasma  Consultancy Service :     4. Name : Dr. Paban Kumar Sahariah Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : pksahariah@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : High Energy Physics Consultancy Service :     5. Name : Mr. Deben Chandra Das Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : ddphysics@yahoo.co.in Area of Specialization : Nuclear Physics Consultancy Service :     6. Name : Dr. Ranjit Singha Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : ranjit.thingom@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : Condensed Matter Physics Consultancy Service :     7. Name : Mrs. Namita Sarma Bordoloi Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : namitasanti@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : High Energy Physics Consultancy Service :     8. Name : Mr. Nripendra Kr Deka Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : nsaikia2002@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : Nuclear Physics, and Plasma Physics Consultancy Service :     9. Name : Mrs. Kalpana Sarma Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : kalpanasb@sify.com Area of Specialization : Electronics Consultancy Service :     10. Name : Dr. Nripanka Saikia Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : nsaikia2002@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : Condensed Matter Physics Consultancy Service :     11. Name : Mr. Ganesh Wary Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : ganesh_wary@yahoo.com Area of Specialization : Electronics and thin films Consultancy Service :     12. Name : Mrs. Simi Barman Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : simibarman@yahoo.co.uk Area of Specialization : Nuclear Physics Consultancy Service :     13. Name : Dr. Debajit Sarma Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : Sarma.debajit@gmail.com Area of Specialization : Nonlinear Physics Consultancy Service :     14. Name : Mr. Abhijit Barthaur Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : abhijitbarthakur@rediffmail.com Area of Specialization : Electronics Consultancy Service :     15. Name : Mr. Mahadev Patgiri Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : mahadev@scienist.com Area of Specialization : High Energy Physics  Consultancy Service :     16. Name : Mr. Rahul Mahanta Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : rahulmahanta@gmail.com Area of Specialization : Condensed Matter Physics Consultancy Service :     17. Name : Dr. Sudpta Nandy Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : sudiptanandy@gmail.com Area of Specialization : Integrable system Consultancy Service :     18. Name : Mr. Debajyoti Barua Contact no : 0361-2730789 Email address : deb_bh@rediffmail.com Area of Specialization : Nuclear Physics Consultancy Service :