Physics professor continuing research of ultrafast molecular quantum processes with support of large NSF grant, post-doctoral associates, undergraduate students

A Northwest Missouri State University physics professor is continuing his research this fall with a significant grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and helping undergraduate students gain valuable experience in the frontiers of science.

NSF recently awarded a grant to Dr. Himadri Chakraborty, totaling nearly $500,000 to fund his project, “Ultrafast Dynamics in Discrete and Continuum Spectra of Some Symmetric Molecules and Derivatives,” for the next three years.

The study will investigate how stimulated atoms and electrons in excited molecular materials move and share energy in the timespan of femtoseconds to attoseconds – or, one quadrillionth to one quintillionth of a second. By observing their behavior, including the ultrafast response to laser radiations and particle impacts, scientists can better understand the potential and limitations for applications such as quantum computations, sensor design, solar-cell technology, clean energy production, cancer therapies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Chakraborty also expects the research results will instigate measurements using ultrashort laser pulses and lay foundations for simulating processes by AI-based machine learning techniques.

“The research on the dynamics of methane, ethylene, vinylidene and cubane molecules will access ultrafast fundamental processes and leverage the production of molecular hydrogen important for clean energy applications,” Chakraborty said.

Dr. Himadri Chakraborty, a computational nanophysicist, joined the Northwest faculty in 2006 and recently received his sixth National Science Foundation grant. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Chakraborty also is involving undergraduate students majoring in physics, chemistry and even computer science in the research, enhancing their experience while inspiring them to consider careers in research, industry or academia. The most recent NSF grant will fund up to nine student positions for the next tree years.

Furthermore, the research will employ Northwest’s Bartik Cluster, a high-performance computing system used to analyze large datasets. The NSF grant also provides access to its Partnership to Advanced Throughout (PATh) computing system.

“Physics-wise, they’re building the methods and tools that we need at the research level, which is far beyond the undergraduate classroom teaching level,” Chakraborty said, noting the students will have opportunities to present their work at professional conferences and to be named authors in peer-reviewed publications.

Chakraborty, a computational nanophysicist who joined the Northwest faculty in 2006, is the recipient of five other National Science Foundation grants for his research of carbon fullerene molecules and related derived materials. The most recent award notification he received in August is his largest yet.

“The award becomes particularly remarkable being in the environment of deep science-funding cut,” Chakraborty said. “The success of the current award also owes dearly to the contributions of the Senior Research Associate, Dr. Ruma De, who is also a Northwest Physics adjunct.” 

The work of Chakraborty’s research group has appeared in high-impact periodicals, including Physical Review journals published by American Physical Society. Earlier this year, his research group published new findings in Science Advances, a high-impact multidisciplinary journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In addition to employing a number of post-doctoral researchers through grant funding, Chakraborty has involved 50 undergraduate students in his research. Those students have gone on to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in physics, chemistry, material science and engineering. His students also have been nominated to The Council on Undergraduate Research as distinguished graduates.

To learn more about Chakraborty’s research, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/naturalsciences/directory/sites/Chakraborty/.