Statistical Physics in Soft & Active Matter Systems
Employing Optical Tweezers, Microscopy & Brownian Dynamics Simulations
The horizon of possibilities offered by modern experimental techniques, such as, optical tweezers and advanced imaging to probe and manipulate micron and sub-micron sized objects make it a very exciting time to study statistical physics in soft and active matter systems. Soft matter systems are characterized by their comparatively soft mechanical response, i.e. the property of being more easily deformable in ambient conditions. In an active system, mechanical energy gets injected continuously from other sources. The importance of studying statistical phenomena in soft and active matter systems are manifold. In addition to exhibiting fascinating and tunable mechanical properties for innovative applications, they provide versatile model systems that have become increasingly important for the understanding of fundamental equilibrium and nonequilibrium processes in condensed matter physics.
For example, colloids, despite being much larger in size, share many statistical properties with the atomic systems as both the systems are driven by the same underlying mechanisms. The manifestations of structural properties or fluctuations, as in phase transitions, glass formation, critical and dissipation phenomena etc. are particularly similar. Moreover, the advantage of studying the physics in soft matter systems is that the interactions can easily be tuned over a wide range by external parameters such as optical, magnetic or electric fields, whereas in atomic systems they are dictated by the electronic structures.
The research topics that we are presently interested in and the tools we primarily use are mentioned below.
Active, Nonlinear, and Passive Microrheology
Dynamics of Active Brownian Particles in Complex Media
Diffusion of Asymmetric Brownian Particles
Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Thermal Fluctuations
Defect Dynamics in Colloidal Crystals
Heterogeneous Crystallization in Colloidal Systems
Membrane Deformability of Human Erythrocytes
Optical Trapping and Micromanipulations
Bright Field and Fluorescence Microscopy
Brownian Dynamics Simulations
Complementary Analytical Calculations
Postdoctoral Fellows: Fellowships are available through IIT Kanpur Postdoctoral Program or National Postdoctoral Fellowship. Email to mkhan[AT]iitk.ac.in for more details if you are interested.
Ph.D. Program: For doctoral research in our group, one needs to enroll through the Ph.D. program of IIT Kanpur. If you have been selected for Ph.D. program in the physics departement, come and talk to Manas (NLT 104 / FB 488).
Short-term Projects: For MSc, BS-MS dual degree, or MSc-PhD dual degree projects, talk to Manas in advance.
