KOCHI:
The Department of Physics Cochin University of Science and Technology and Laboratory for Electro- Optics Systems (LEOS), a key laboratory of ISRO in Bengaluru, have inked a deal for research collaboration. A ‘Letter of Intent’ comprising the responsibilities of both institutions in this regard has been signed by Dr. Meera V. (Registrar, CUSAT), Dr. K.V. Sriram (Director, LEOS-ISRO), Prof. Titus K Mathew (Head, Department of Physics), Umesh S.B. (Division Head, ILSD, LEOS-ISRO), Sridhar R.V.L.N(Team Lead-LIBS Instrument, LEOS-ISRO), and Dr. Anoop K.K(Asst, Professor, Department of Physics).
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS)-a scientific instrument for planetary surface chemistry has been developed in recent times at LEOS with the main objective of obtaining precise qualitative and quantitative analytical information from multi-element samples. The LIBS instrument was one of the payloads in India’s
prestigious Moon Mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’ and the same instrument will be deployed in the upcoming ‘Chandrayaan-3’ mission too.
The Applied Optic Division in the Department of Physics, CUSAT has been actively engaged in similar research activities at CUSAT. In this collaboration, LEOS will provide the qualitatively analyzed spectra and data sets to CUSAT team for abundance estimation of elements using newly evolved approaches. The team is lead by Dr. Anoop K.K., an Asst Professor, Department of Physics, and Lekha Mary John (PhD student), Supriya K (M Phil student), Megha Mohan and Balakrishna Prabhu (M.Sc. students) are also instrumental in the ongoing LIBS activities in the Department.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.N. Madhusoodanan who co-ordinates the new research initiatives, said that this venture between CUSAT and LEOS-ISRO will be a great opportunity for the researchers in the university to involve in the projects of national importance.
