Nihar Pradhan

Assistant Professor

Associate Professor in Physics at Jackson State University, Mississippi, USA. I obtained my PhD in Physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, MA, USA, after that a joint postdoctoral position at Mount Holyoke College & University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Before joining at Jackson State University, I obtain my second postdoctoral experience from National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida, USA. My research interest are in the area of materials; developing high-energy storage polymer nanocomposites and exploring intrinsic electrical, optical and magnetic properties of quantum materials such as two-dimensional semiconductors.

Research Description

Experimental condensed matter physics and nanotechnology. My research interest is highly interdisciplinary, synthesis of single crystals layered materials, nanostructure fabrication, physics of materials and devices with nanoscale features. I am interested in studying electrical, optical and magnetic properties of two-dimensional layered semiconductors such as transition metal dichanlcogenides (TMDCs). When the thickness of these layered materials decreased to few atomic layers or even single atomic layer form, very interesting properties emerges due to quantum confinement effect. I am interested in investigating both fundamental physics as well as engineering devices for potential technological applications. My current research interest is in the following areas:

  1. 2D Layered semiconductors for Field-effect transistors (FETs) application

  2. Insulator-to-Metal transition on 2D semiconductor

  3. Photovoltaic, Phototransistors and novel optical effect on 2D semiconductor

  4. Magnetic data storage and spitronic based devices on magnetic nanostructures  

Positions

Associate Professor (Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Science)
Jackson State University
2022
Assistant Professor (Chemistry, Physics and Atmospheric Science)
Jackson State University
2017 - 2022
Postdoc (Condensed Mater Physics Division)
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
2012 - 2017
Postdoc (Physics)
Mount Holyoke College
2010 - 2012
Teaching Assistant (Physics)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2005 - 2010
Research Associate (Physics)
University of Hyderabad
2002 - 2005

Education

Ph.D. (Physics)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2010
M.S. (Physics)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2007
MSc (Physics)
Sambalpur University
2002