Under the aegis of DBT Star College Scheme Department of Physics, DAV College, Jalandhar organised 2nd National Conference on “ Frontiers in Theoretical and Experimental Physics” on September 11-12, 2025. The conference’s theme centered around a comprehensive review of the main developments in both theoretical and experimental physics. It aimed to provide an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge advancements and their implications across various subfields.This national conference attracted a diverse group of speakers and participants from various states, including Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Delhi, Rajasthan, M.P., J&K and Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam reflecting a broad spectrum of regional expertise and perspectives.
Participants from esteemed institutions such as Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Amritsar, Panjab University Chandigarh, Punjabi University Patiala, IIT Delhi, Central University of Punjab, IISER Bhopal, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, University of Jammu, Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University, Chhatarpur (M.P.), University of Rajasthan, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Cluster University Srinagar, Jadavpur University, SLIET Longowal,DAV University Jalandhar, I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) Kapurthala, Amar Singh College, Cluster University Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K, Jamia Hamdard (deemed to be university) and many others, contributed significantly to the event.
In this conference, researchers and students showcased their work through oral and poster sessions, presenting a diverse array of research topics that encouraged engagement and discussion among attendees.Overall, 86 candidates registered for the conference which includes21 oral presentations and 19 poster presentations, reflecting a strong interest in the topics discussed.
The conference featured expert sessions conducted by six distinguished resource persons, covering a diverse range of topics, including Quantum Thermodynamics, High Energy Physics, Biophysics, Materials Science, and Radiation Physics. Each of these areas plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the fundamental principles of physics.
The inaugural session commenced with the traditional DAV Gaan, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Dr. Sunil Thakur introduced the conference by outlining its key themes and objectives. Principal & Conference Director Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Convenor & HoD Physics Dr. Kunwer Rajeev, Registrar Prof. Ashok Kapoor, HoD Zoology & Overall DBT Coordinator Dr. Punit Puri, Dr. Sharanjit Sandhu (DBT Coordinator, Physics), Dr. Navjeet Sharma (Dean Academics), along with Organising Secretaries Dr. Ritu Pal and Dr. Sunil Thakur, together with other members of the organizing committee, extended a warm welcome to the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mukesh Kumar (Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Ropar), and Invited Speaker, Dr. Sunil Bansal (Assistant Professor, UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh). As a gesture of appreciation, they were presented with a symbolic planter and a token of gratitude.Following this, Dr. Kunwer Rajeev formally welcomed the keynote speaker, setting the stage for the inaugural address.
Principal Dr. Rajesh Kumar, in his welcome address, highlighted the significance of the conference in promoting collaboration between academicians, researchers and students while also contributing to demystifying science and enhancing scientific capacities.In his address, Principal Dr. Rajesh Kumar spoke about the journey and challenges faced by scientists in earlier times. In his address, he highlighted the contributions of eminent Indian scientists such as Dr. C.V. Raman, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (the “Missile Man of India”), Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. J.C. Bose, mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, Satyendra Nath Bose,Dr. Meghnad Saha, Dr. Har Gobind Khorana, and P.C. Ray for his pioneering role in pharmaceuticals.Further, he mentioned several prestigious research institutes in India, including the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (Nainital), Bose Institute (Kolkata), BARC and TIFR (Mumbai), ISRO, Institute of Physics (Bhubaneswar), Institute for Plasma Research, Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad), Raman Research Institute, and IISc (Bengaluru). He also highlighted the role of 7 IISERs, 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 56 Central Universities, and 495 State-funded Universities where extensive research in physics is being carried out. Concluding his address, Dr. Kumar encouraged participants to actively pursue research, stressing that innovation is the driving force behind scientific advancement, technological development, and societal progress.He also emphasized the role of conferences in fostering networking, generating new ideas, and facilitating research collaborationssetting the stage for the inaugural address.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar Professor in the Department of Physics, IIT Ropar,delivered a compelling keynote address on topic “Thin Films andHeterostructures for Solar-Blind Photodetectors.” Dr. Mukesh Kumarintroduced the concepts of transparent and conducting thin films, alongwith the growing requirement for solar-blind photodetectors. He explainedthat solar-blind photodetectors, operating below 280 nm, are vital forapplications such as forest fire detection, territorial security, ozone holemonitoring, deep space exploration, satellite systems, and securecommunications. By detecting ozone-filtered deep UV (UV-C) terrestrialsignatures, these devices minimize false radiation detection even underintense solar interference.
He presented the demonstration of an ultrahigh-performance, self-poweredβ-Ga₂O₃thin-film solar-blind photodetector fabricated on a cost-effectiveSi substrate using a high-temperature seed layer (HSL). Additionally, hediscussed Ag nanoparticle-decorated β-Ga₂O₃photodetectors, whichexhibit polarity reversal of photocurrent under different UV bands. Thedevice achieved a high responsivity, significantly outperforming bareGa₂O₃planar photodetectors, and demonstrated opposite responses in theUVA and UVC regions. This current reversal was explained by chargedynamics associated with hot electrons generated via local surfaceplasmon resonance in Ag nanoparticles.
Further, he highlighted the development of paper-based, super-flexible,non-wettable, self-powered, and high-voltage stable amorphous galliumoxide photodetectors, as well as heterostructures of gallium oxide withmaterials such as CdS and MoS₂for enhanced charge transport. Thegallium oxide thin films and fabricated photodetectors were alsoinvestigated under extreme environmental conditions, demonstrating theirpotential for future space applications.
The second session of the conference was presented by Dr. Sunil Bansal(Assistant Professor UIET Panjab University, Chandigarh) on the topic: Ajourney through Particle’s Zoo (experimental perspective). Dr. SunilBansal began his talk with a historical overview of atomic structuremodels, tracing the development from Dalton’s model to J.J. Thomson’smodel. He further discussed the determination of the e/m ratio,Rutherford’s scattering experiment, the photoelectric effect, de Broglie’smatter waves, and the Davisson–Germer experiment, which providedexperimental confirmation of wave–particle duality. He then spoke aboutvarious experimental tools, including optical microscopes, electronmicroscopes, radioactive sources, and particle accelerators. He alsodiscussed the discovery of neutrons, positrons, and antiprotons, along withthe development of the matter–antimatter theory. The talk highlighted keyexperimental milestones leading to the development of the Standard Modeland ongoing explorations beyond it. The speaker also provided insightsinto how experimental measurements are conducted, with particularemphasis on the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC),CERN, as a representative example of large-scale internationalcollaboration.Third Session was delivered by Dr. Rohit Mehra (Dean (Research &Consultancy cum Professor, Department of Physics, at NIT Jalandhar) onthe topic: Removal of Natural Uranium Concentration in Groundwaterusing Natural Polymers. Prof. Rohit Mehra began his talk with anintroduction to the sources of radiation exposure, the need for radiationstudies, and the effects of chemotherapy. He then discussed publicperceptions of nuclear power and emphasized its benefits over other
energy sources. Further, he elaborated on the various routes of radiationexposure, both external and internal. Further, he discussed the chemistry of
uranium, particularly its valence states, and how these influence itsmobility, toxicity, and interaction with environmental and biologicalsystems.
Building on this, he highlighted that groundwater contamination byuranium poses serious health and environmental risks, owing to its dualnature as both a radioactive element and a heavy metal toxin. He presentedfindings on the occurrence, sources, and biokinetics of uranium in thehuman body, supported by case studies from different regions of India. Toaddress this challenge, he discussed the use of natural polymers,specifically cellulose derived from banana leaves, as a cost-effectivebiosorbent for uranium removal. Experimental results demonstrated amaximum adsorption efficiency of 96.69% under optimized pH, dosage,and concentration conditions. His work underscored the potential of eco-friendly biosorbents in mitigating uranium contamination, therebycontributing to sustainable water purification strategies and safeguardingpublic health.
The fourth session of conference was conducted by Dr. Harpreet AssistantProfessor Dept Physics GNDU on topic: “Quantum Sensing Using DopedOrganic Crystals”.Dr. Harpreet presented recent developments in quantumsensing using doped organic crystals, offering a promising alternative totraditional solid-state systems likenitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
The focus was on pentacene-doped para-terphenyl (PDP) crystals, whichhost spin-triplet electrons that can be polarized and controlled at roomtemperature. This allows for high-contrast magnetic resonance (ODMR 16.8%) and long coherence times up to 18.4 µs, enabling precise quantumsensing under ambient conditions.PDP crystals can be grown defect-free, at centimeter scale, and at low cost,with minimal impurities, making them suitable for scalable bulkmagnetometry. In addition to detecting magnetic fields, PDP is highlysensitive to lattice changes, allowing accurate pressure and temperaturemeasurements. The ODMR transition frequencies show exceptionalsensitivity, offering over 85-fold improvement in pressure detectioncompared to NV-diamond. This is attributed to the soft and deformableorganic lattice, where even tiny orbital shifts can be detected.
Dr. Harpreet highlighted that doped organic crystals are chemically tunableand versatile, opening the door to custom molecular designs for detectingmagnetic fields, temperature, pressure, and potentially biologicallyrelevant signals. These findings demonstrate their potential as a low-cost,next-generation platform for both fundamental research and practicalsensing applications.
The fifth session of conference was presented by Dr. Hitesh SharmaRegistrar & Professor in Applied Sciences(NIT, Delhi) on topic “Advancesin the Quantum Mechanics Based Theoretical Methods”The final session of the conference was delivered by Dr. Vijayta DaniChadha (Associate Professor, Centre for Nuclear Medicine, PanjabUniversity, Chandigarh) on “Radiations in Health and DiseaseManagement: In Context to Nuclear Medicine.” She highlighted the dualrole of ionizing radiations in medicine, discussing their harmful effects,such as tissue and DNA damage, and their therapeutic applications incancer treatment. The session covered the discovery of radioactivity,factors affecting nuclide stability, and key characteristics of radionuclides,along with various modes of radioactive decay and linear energy transfer(LET) as a measure of biological impact.
Dr. Vijayta introduced nuclear medicine in diagnostics and therapy,describing imaging tools including ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, andSPECT, and treatment methods such as brachytherapy and teletherapy.Case studies on lung cancer, thyroid cancer, and bone metastasis wereshared, along with targeted radionuclide therapy. Radiation protection forthe environment, public, and workers was emphasized. The talk concludedwith career prospects in nuclear medicine and guidance on B.Sc. andM.Sc. programs.
In addition, researchers and students showcased their work through oraland poster sessions, presenting a diverse array of research topics that encouraged engagement and discussion among attendees. Overall, 86 candidates registered for the conference which includes 21 oral presentations and 19 poster presentations, reflecting a strong interest in the topics discussed.
The expert sessions in the conference provided a comprehensive view ofthe current research landscape and facilitated engaging discussions amongattendees. Thisnational conference comprehensively reviewed theoreticaland experimentaldevelopments, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration,knowledge exchange, and offering valuable networking opportunities forscientists at various stages of their careers.
Valedictory
The second day of the conference concluded with a valedictory session and prize distribution ceremony, featuring Dr. Hitesh Sharma, Registrar & Professor in Applied Sciences (NIT, Delhi), as the chief guest. The session began with a warm welcome of Principal and Conference Director Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Chief Guest Dr. Hitesh Sharma, Convenor Dr. Kunwer Rajeev, Dr. Sharanjit Sandhu (DBT Coordinator Physics), and Dr. Navjeet Sharma (Dean Academics).
Dr. Ritu Pal, highlighted the key achievements of the conference and then invited Dr. Sharanjit Sandhu to present the conference report. Following her detailed report, the prize distribution ceremony took place, where awards for the best poster and best oral presentation were presented. Certificates of participation were awarded to all attendees, along with certificates of appreciation for students.
Afterward, two participants shared their valuable feedback regarding the conference. Principal Dr. Rajesh Kumar addressed the audience, encouraging them to aspire to the ideals of great scientists and to continue their pursuits in research and innovation. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Navjeet Sharma, followed by the national song, bringing the conference to a close.
On this occasion several distinguished faculty members were in attendance, including Vice Principal Prof. Sonika Dania, Dr. P.K. Sharma, Prof. Sharad Manocha, Prof. Prof. Pankaj Gupta, Prof. Manish Khanna, Dr. Seema Sharma, Dr. Ashu Behl, Dr. Rajan Sharma, Dr. Tnu Mahajan, Dr. Shivani Verma, Dr Manpreet Kaur, Dr. Pooja, Dr Isha Behl, Dr. Sonika Arti, Dr. Shilpa Setia, Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Prof. Ranjita, Prof. Jasmeen Kaur, Prof. Sahil Nagpal, Dr. Ravinder Kaur, Dr. Reena Devi, Dr. Preety, Prof. Rahul and Dr. Summit.
