Physical Research Laboratory
Physical Research Laboratory
The schematic shows different forces which decides dust particle's dynamics
Broad area of research: Physics
of the Atmospheres of Mars and Venus.
Current emphasis: Application of
Fluid (Classical) Mechanics, Thermodynamics and other basic Physics to study
various aspects of the Climate of Mars and Venus. Computational Physics and
Numerical Methods to Solve Differential Equations.
We do: (i) Climate
Modelling and Analysis of Data from Planetary Missions; (ii) Developing
Instruments for future missions to Mars and Venus
Research Highlights: (i) Effect of
Dust Storms and Solar Radiation on the Atmosphere of Mars has been studied
through indigenously developed models
(ii) Formation
Mechanisms of Convective Vortices on Mars has been studied
(iii)
Characteristics of Dust Devils and their role in Martian Dust Cycle has been
investigated
(iv) A remote
sensing experiment is being developed to probe the atmosphere of Mars &
Venus.
Broad area of research: Interplanetary
Dust Science, Surface Charging & Dust Levitation (Dusty Plasma), Planetary Lightning
Science, In-Situ Exploration/Remote Sensing, Wireless Communication.
Current emphasis: (i)
IDP/Micrometeorite at Planetary Objects like Venus, Mars, Earth, Moon; (ii)
Lunar Dusty Plasma; (iii) Martian Dust Devils; (iv) Lightning on Venus and Mars.
We do: (i) Modelling
and Data Analysis; (ii) Instrumentation; (iii) Simulation of Physical System
Research Highlights: (i) Lunar Escape
Process is established. Moon loses water ice at a rate of ~6.27 kg/year.
(ii) A power law
is suggested for IDP flux at Earth.
(iii) N-body
integration shows ~264 MY for an IDP to reach Mars from Asteroid belt.
(iv) Model for
observable Martian SR is derived, which depends on shape of dust devil.
(v) Collisional
charging is dominating for Lightning on Venus.
(vi) VEX observed
Venusian lightning source below the ionosphere.
Broad area of research: Astrochemistry and Astrobiology.
Current emphasis: Study formation of pre-biotic and complex organic
molecules in the astrophysical environment such as star-forming
regions, comets, exoplanets using numerical simulations and laboratory
experiments
Research Highlights: (i) How is the atmosphere of interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov different
from solar system comets
(ii) Effect of metallicity on the formation of complex organic molecules
(iii) Importance of CO diffusion on the formation of molecules on the
surface of interstellar dust grains
Broad area of research: Interdisciplinary plasma physics – basic and applied.
Covers Dusty (complex) plasmas, Planetary & Space
plasmas, Laser-plasma (& matter) interaction.
Current emphasis: Plasma environment & physical processes around (i) Airless bodies like Moon & other natural/ artificial
satellites, (ii) Planets, like Mars, Venus & Mercury.
Aspiration: Refine the understanding of
plasma environment, its electrodynamical behaviour and consequences over
planetary objects, and look into their practical implications to the planetary
exploration.
We do: Conceptual
design of the physical system, Theoretical/ Analytical modelling and numerical simulations.
Research Highlights: (i) How dust particles lift from the lunar surface at first place. (ii) Electrostatic
equilibrium of charged dust (i.e., dust levitation) over Moon might not exist.
(iii) Efficient charge
dissipation via surface micro/ nano fabrication. (iv) Dust acoustic structures could
be a plausible mechanism of dust/ plasma transport on Moon. (v) Fine particles
create stable electrostatic environment in dark regions over Moon.
Broad area of research: Planetary Heatflow and Surface Science Studies,
Laboratory Experiments and Instrumentation for Planetary Exploration
Current emphasis: Planetary
Heat Flow Studies through experiments and numerical modelling, Lunar
Water-ice prospecting through in-situ experiments, Instrumentation
and Science of ChaSTE Payload onboard Chandrayaan-3, Development
of instruments for in-situ investigations of surface and atmospheres of Moon,
Mars and other planetary bodies
Aspiration: Multi-disciplinary
research combining experimental studies, numerical simulations, lab
instrumentation and payload development to investigate surface properties of
planetary bodies and understand the dynamics and processes therein.
We do: Simulation
of Planetary Environments, Laboratory studies on planetary analogue samples, Instrument/Payload
development for current and future missions, Numerical Simulations.
Research Highlights: (i) A facility for simulating the
Moon in the laboratory
(ii) A
comprehensive lunar thermophysical model for the first time
(iii)
ChaSTE Payload for Chandrayaan-2/Chandrayaan-3
(iv) Modelling
of lunar surface processes and implications on future lunar landings and ISRU
activities
Broad area of research: Surface and subsurface studies of Mars
Current emphasis: Study the surface & subsurface of lava covered Tharsis region to decipher the past geological activities
We do: Martian subsurface radar analysis through simulation, modelling, and numerical analysis
Research Highlights: (i) Multilayer subsurface reflection in an unnamed crater near Mangala Fossa on Mars and confirmation of upper layer is a sedimentary deposit (ii) Discovery of subsurface ice in Tanaica Montes region, Mars (iii) First-ever confirmation of SHARAD subsurface detections directly associated with the Tharsis graben systems.
Broad area of research: Study, modelling and simulation of interplanetary
dust particles (IDPs) in solar system and its
ablation in planetary
atmosphere. Development of dust detector, a space
payload to study IDPs.
Current emphasis: Characterisation of dust detector, modelling
dynamics of
dust particles in space and use of nanosecond pulse
laser to simulate dust
particle impact.
Aspiration: To better understand the dynamics, distribution and
effect of
IDPs in solar system. Study of IDPs using dust
detector instrument.
We do: numerical simulations of IDP under different
conditions and
instrument characterisation.
Research Highlights: (i) Lunar regolith and water ice escape due to
micrometeorite bombardment (ii) IDP Detection in
Earth Environment:
Prediction of Plasma Capture Efficiency and
Detector Response to High
Energy Particles (iii) Meteorite Ablation in
Planetary Atmosphere
Planetary Atmospheres
Modeling of Earth and Planetary Atmospheres
Complex (dusty) Plasma Physics
Planetary Remote Sensing
Physics and Chemistry of the Solar System
Numerical and Statistical Methods
