Nikolay Djourelov | Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy | Best Researcher Award 

Published on by AMO Physics

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Djourelov | Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy | Best Researcher Award 

Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP), “Horia Hulubei” National R&D Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH) | Romania

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Djourelov, affiliated with the Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) and the Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, specializes in nuclear physics, materials science, and advanced spectroscopy techniques. His research spans defect studies in semiconductors, nanomaterials, and thin films, with applications in energy storage, sensing, and semiconductor reliability. He has authored numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, Electrochimica Acta, and Nanomaterials, contributing significantly to the fields of positron annihilation spectroscopy, nanostructured materials, and advanced functional composites.

Author Profiles

Google Scholar

Scopus

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Djourelov has built his academic foundation with a strong orientation toward physics, materials science, and advanced spectroscopic techniques. From his early studies, he demonstrated a clear interest in solid-state physics, radiation–matter interactions, and semiconductor materials. His pursuit of advanced research led him toward specialized studies in nuclear physics and materials characterization, laying the groundwork for his later expertise in Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy and its applications to defects in materials and thin-film structures.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Djourelov has had an accomplished professional career, currently associated with the Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering in Bucharest, Romania, and the Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility in Măgurele, Romania. These institutions represent cutting-edge centers of nuclear and optical physics, where he has contributed to international collaborations and high-impact projects. His employment history reflects his active role in advancing nuclear techniques, spectroscopic diagnostics, and applied materials research.

Contributions and Research Focus

The central focus of Dr. Djourelov’s research lies in Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy, materials characterization, and defect analysis in semiconductors and nanomaterials. His scientific contributions include studies on SiC defect kinetics, Schottky contact non-uniformity in wide-bandgap materials, defect structure in GaN/AlN/Si heterostructures, and dislocation densities in epitaxial thin films. Additionally, his recent works address the applications of advanced nanostructures such as TiO₂ composites, MoS₂-based devices, and nanocrystalline graphite films. This broad research portfolio highlights his ability to connect fundamental spectroscopic techniques with applied material innovations.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Nikolay Djourelov’s impact is evident through his interdisciplinary collaborations and influential publications in top-tier journals, including Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, Nanomaterials, Materials, and Electrochimica Acta. His work has advanced both the theoretical understanding and experimental implementation of defect characterization, sensor technologies, and nanomaterial applications. As an active researcher at ELI-NP, he contributes to one of Europe’s most advanced infrastructures for high-power laser and nuclear physics, further extending his influence on international research agendas.

Academic Cites

The academic community has recognized Dr. Djourelov’s contributions, as seen in the growing number of citations of his published works. His papers on defect analysis in semiconductors, nanostructure growth, and the application of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy are regularly referenced by peers worldwide. This strong citation record underlines the high relevance and reliability of his findings, which continue to guide new research directions in materials science and nuclear physics.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Djourelov is expected to continue bridging nuclear physics methodologies with applied materials research. His expertise in Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy positions him as a leading figure in studying defect dynamics, semiconductor reliability, and nanostructured material applications. He is also poised to contribute to the development of next-generation sensors, energy storage devices, and radiation–matter interaction models. By mentoring younger researchers and maintaining active collaborations, his legacy will expand through both scientific innovation and knowledge transfer.

Publications

Proposed antimatter gravity measurement with an antihydrogen beam

Authors: A. Kellerbauer, M. Amoretti, A.S. Belov, G. Bonomi, I. Boscolo, R.S. Brusa, …

Journal: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Year: 2008

Citations: 357

The extreme light infrastructure nuclear physics (ELI-NP) facility: new horizons in physics with 10 PW ultra-intense lasers and 20 MeV brilliant gamma beams

Authors: S. Gales, K.A. Tanaka, D.L. Balabanski, F. Negoita, D. Stutman, O. Tesileanu, …

Journal: Reports on Progress in Physics

Year: 2018

Citations: 302

Source correction in positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Authors: N. Djourelov, M. Misheva

Journal: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter

Year: 1996

Citations: 110

Silica Hybrid Sol–Gel Materials with Unusually High Concentration of Pt–Organic Molecular Guests: Studies of Luminescence and Nonlinear Absorption of Light

Authors: D. Chateau, F. Chaput, C. Lopes, M. Lindgren, C. Brännlund, J. Öhgren, …

Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Year: 2012

Citations: 58

Proposal for the AEGIS experiment at the CERN antiproton decelerator (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy)

Authors: G.Y. Drobychev, U. Gendotti, I. Boscolo, H. Walters, M. Büchner, A. Rubbia, …

Year: 2007

Citations: 54

Positron annihilation study of density fluctuations in amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) films in terms of quasispinodal decomposition

Authors: T. Suzuki, Y. Bin, N. Djourelov, T. Xu, M. Matsuo

Journal: Physical Review B

Year: 2005

Citations: 49

Formation of a cold antihydrogen beam in AEGIS for gravity measurements

Authors: G. Testera, A.S. Belov, G. Bonomi, I. Boscolo, N. Brambilla, R.S. Brusa, …

Journal: AIP Conference Proceedings

Year: 2008

Citations: 46

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Djourelov has established himself as a distinguished researcher whose career reflects a deep commitment to advancing science through Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and materials research. His early academic promise, professional accomplishments at leading research institutions, impactful publications, and forward-looking contributions position him as an influential figure in contemporary physics. His work not only advances the frontiers of defect characterization and nanomaterial applications but also ensures a lasting legacy in nuclear and material sciences.

Bharat Kakati – Silicon Thin Film – Best Researcher Award 

Published on by AMO Physics

Dr. Bharat Kakati began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Nowgong College in 2003, where he laid a strong foundation in the physical sciences. He continued to develop his academic focus with a Master’s degree in Physics, specializing in Electronics and Photonics, from Tezpur University in 2005. His keen interest in plasma and material sciences led him to pursue doctoral research at the Centre of Plasma Physics – Institute for Plasma Research (CPP-IPR), Assam, culminating in a Ph.D. in Physics in 2014. These formative years laid the groundwork for his future contributions to advanced material research, especially in silicon thin film technologies and plasma interactions.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Kakati’s professional career is rich in research and teaching experiences. Starting as a Junior Research Fellow at CPP-IPR in 2008, he advanced to Senior Research Fellow, Project Scientist, and then completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the prestigious Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gujarat from 2015 to 2017. Since February 2018, he has been serving as an Assistant Professor at Assam Science and Technology University, Guwahati. His career path demonstrates consistent dedication to experimental plasma physics, ionized environments, and the physics of silicon thin film deposition and modification processes in plasma systems.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Bharat Kakati’s primary research interests lie in plasma-material interactions, ion-acoustic wave dynamics, dust-plasma interactions, and silicon thin film studies in plasma-based deposition techniques. He has extensively investigated how discharge conditions affect plasma parameters, especially in low-pressure hydrogen discharges. His innovative work on dust charging under magnetic fields and cesium-coated dust for negative ion production has garnered significant attention. His studies are crucial for the improvement of deposition techniques, such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), widely used in silicon thin film applications in electronics and solar cell industries.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Kakati has made a lasting impact on the Indian plasma science community, earning multiple prestigious accolades. He was awarded the Buti Young Scientist Award in 2011 by the Plasma Science Society of India (PSSI) for his pioneering research on cesium-coated dust. He has also received multiple Best Poster Awards at national symposiums for his innovative contributions. His work continues to influence the development of diagnostic techniques for plasma characterization and thin film research, particularly in silicon thin film processing and surface engineering.

🏆Academic Cites

Dr. Kakati’s research output, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, has been cited by scholars working in plasma physics, material science, and thin film technology. His empirical studies on plasma-dust interactions and ion wave propagation are foundational for researchers developing novel materials, especially in the context of silicon thin film devices. His work is frequently referenced in national symposiums and university seminars focused on plasma diagnostics and nanomaterials.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Bharat Kakati is poised to continue making significant contributions to the interdisciplinary field of plasma science and thin film technology. His teaching and mentorship at Assam Science and Technology University are nurturing the next generation of physicists in Northeast India. His future work is expected to focus on the optimization of thin film deposition processes and the exploration of novel plasma-based techniques for silicon thin film fabrication, with potential applications in renewable energy and microelectronics. His legacy is one of precision, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of science.

📘Silicon Thin Film

Dr. Bharat Kakati’s expertise in silicon thin film research has significantly advanced the understanding of plasma-assisted material processing. His studies on dust charging and wave propagation in plasma environments contribute directly to innovations in silicon thin film deposition. The continued evolution of silicon thin film technology is greatly influenced by his pioneering research and academic leadership.

✍️ Notable Publication

1️⃣ Fabrication of Microcrystalline Silicon Thin Film by Ionized Physical Vapor Deposition Process

Authors: S.K.M.K.M. R. Saikia, B. Kakati, T. Hazarika, S. Sharma, T. Rajbongshi, M. Das, S. Biswas

Journal: Crystals

Year: 2025

Citations: 2

2️⃣ Low-temperature DC argon plasma treatment of polysulfone membranes to enhance antifouling properties in oil-water emulsion separation

Authors: A. Rawal, T. Hazarika, B. Kakati, D. Pal

Journal: Surfaces and Interfaces

Year: 2025

Citations: 1

3️⃣ Development of a novel surface assisted volume negative hydrogen ion source

Authors: B. Kakati, S.S. Kausik, M. Bandyopadhyay, B.K. Saikia, P.K. Kaw

Journal: Scientific Reports

Year: 2017

Citations: 23

4️⃣ Effect of argon addition on plasma parameters and dust charging in hydrogen plasma

Authors: B. Kakati, S.S. Kausik, M. Bandyopadhyay, B.K. Saikia, Y.C. Saxena

Journal: Journal of Applied Physics

Year: 2014

Citations: 18

5️⃣ Effect of energetic electrons on dust charging in hot cathode filament discharge

Authors: B. Kakati, S.S. Kausik, B.K. Saikia, M. Bandyopadhyay

Journal: Physics of Plasmas

Year: 2011

Citations: 16

 6️⃣ Effect of magnetic field on dust charging and corresponding probe measurement

Authors: D. Kalita, B. Kakati, B.K. Saikia, M. Bandyopadhyay, S.S. Kausik

Journal: Physics of Plasmas

Year: 2015

Citations: 14

7️⃣ Effect of process parameters on properties of argon–nitrogen plasma for titanium nitride film deposition

Authors: P. Saikia, B. Kakati

Journal: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A

Year: 2013

Citations: 14