SRINAGAR: A faculty of Department of Physics at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, Dr. Harkirat Singh, was recently invited by low temperature and superconductivity chair of Physical Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia, among the top 100 in QS world ranking to explore the possibility of joint collaboration particularly in the field of new exotic quantum materials like topological insulators and 2D superconductors.
Dr. Singh said these quantum materials although very interesting with potential applications in quantum computing, are quite challenging to investigate, demanding highly precise measurement techniques as well as extreme conditions such as very low temperatures (close to 10 Kelvin). Kelvin is a unit of temperature where 0 K = -273.15⁰C.
In his message, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath congratulated Dr. Harkirat Singh for his achievement. Such visits provide a much-needed platform for the young faculty to explore the frontier research that happens in the universities and institutions abroad, he said.
Prof. Nath said that NIT Srinagar has embarked on a global journey of high-impact research, and it is important for the faculty members of NIT Srinagar to get involved more in the research abroad.
“I am sure that we will see more and more faculty getting such invitations in the days to come,” the Director said.
The institute’s Registrar, Prof. Atikur Rahman, congratulated Dr. Harkirat Singh for bringing immense recognition to the institute. It is good to see that our faculty members are making inroads to national and international platforms, he said.
Dr. Singh obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata followed by postdoctoral research at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai. With more than 10 years of experience in low-temperature measurements.
“I am highly hopeful for fruitful outcome out of this endeavour in the near future,” he said adding that he is highly thankful to DST-SERB and UGC-DAE for generous financial support.
According to the host of Dr. Harkirat Singh, Dr. Svetoslav Kuzmichev, this visit brings opportunity for expansion of research horizons of both sides.
Dr. Harkirat was welcomed by Prof. Alexander N. Vasiliev, chair of low temperature at Lomonosov Moscow State University for an invited seminar.
In his welcome speech, Prof. Alexander N. Vasiliev shared his experience of recent visit to IIT Goa and IIT Madras and was very much impressed with the level of research undergoing in India.
During his seminar, Dr. Harkirat Singh explained his recent research interest and possible future plans. The seminar was followed by discussion. The low temperature chair of Lomonosov Moscow State University has a rich history in science and was attended by prominent physicist in the past naming Andreev, Landau, Lifshitz, Abrikosov and many more. Landau and Abrikosov were awarded Nobel prize in physics for their contributions.
Dr. Harkirat Singh has established condensed matter simulation laboratory in the department of physics at NIT Srinagar. The laboratory was funded by DST- SERB, Government of India.

KR Desk