NLO includes techniques such as second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG) and multiphoton excitation fluorescence (MPEF).
In her research, Shambhavee Annurakshita has employed THG microscopy to provide non-destructive visualization of photopolymerization processes, offering new insights into the dynamic changes within materials as they undergo chemical transformations. This capability is crucial for developing materials with tailored properties for specific applications.
Furthermore, Annurakshita has successfully used SHG microscopy to enhance the detection of crystalline structures within photonic glasses.
“This technique offers improved resolution and depth discrimination, critical for the development of advanced photonic materials,” she says.
Additionally, her work with MPEF and THG microscopy on manganese-doped bismuth-based perovskite-inspired thin films has opened new avenues for utilizing these materials in photonics, going beyond their traditional photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, she investigates the effects of structural distortion in these materials on NLO signals. Her findings indicate that both doping and structural distortions can significantly enhance the optical properties of these materials, offering new insights into their design and potential uses in photonics and other fields.
“My results demonstrate the potential of NLO microscopy as a powerful tool for advancing material science. By refining our understanding of how nanoscale variations in structure and composition affect NLO properties, this research paves the way for the development of novel materials with optimized functionalities for emerging technologies,” she adds.
Her findings not only contribute to the scientific understanding of NLO processes but also open up possibilities for practical applications in areas such as nanophotonics, and advanced material engineering.
Shambhavee Annurakshita is originally from India. She has been working as a doctoral researcher in the Nonlinear Optics Group at Tampere University since 2020.
Public defence on Friday 15 November
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. (Tech) Shambhavee Annurakshita in the field of Photonics titled Advanced Nonlinear Microscopy for Characterizing Novel Materials will be publicly examined in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University on Friday 15 November at 12 o’clock at Hervanta Campus in the Auditorium Pieni Sali 1 of Festia building (Korkeakoulunkatu 8, Tampere).
Group Leader Dr. Hanieh Fattahi from Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany will act as opponent. Professor Martti Kauranen from Tampere University will serve as the Custos.