Bedangadas Mohanty

Dr. Sourav Kundu (PhD: 2014–2020)

After PhD: Fellow, CERN Geneva

Angular and momentum distribution of vector mesons produced in proton–proton and heavy-ion collisions at LHC energies

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Evidence of spin–orbital angular momentum interactions in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, ALICE Collaboration (S. Acharya et al.), Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 012301 (2020) [Editor’s Suggestion]
• Multiplicity dependence of K*⁰(892) & φ(1020) production in pp collisions at 13 TeV, ALICE Collaboration (S. Acharya et al.), Phys. Lett. B 807, 135501 (2020)
• Production of light flavour hadrons in pp collisions at √s = 7 and 13 TeV, ALICE Collaboration (S. Acharya et al.), arXiv:2005.11120, accepted in Eur. Phys. J. C
• Study of charged particle multiplicity, average transverse momentum and azimuthal anisotropy in Xe+Xe collisions at √s_NN = 5.44 TeV using AMPT model, S. Kundu, D. Mallick, B. Mohanty, Eur. Phys. J. A 55, 157 (2019)

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Vipul Bairathi (PhD: 2013–2019)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, IISER Berhampur, followed by a position at the University of Tarapacá, Chile.

Azimuthal anisotropy of strange and multi-strange hadrons in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Bulk properties of the system formed in Au+Au collisions at 14.5 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 101, 024905 (2020).
• Centrality dependence of identified particle elliptic flow in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at 7.7–62.4 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 93, 014907 (2016).
• Probing Pb+Pb collisions at √s_NN = 2.76 TeV with spectators, Phys. Lett. B 754, 144–150 (2016).
• Selecting specific initial configurations using spectator neutrons in U+U collisions, Phys. Rev. C 91, 054903 (2015).
• A review on ϕ-meson production in heavy-ion collisions, Adv. High Energy Phys. 2015, 197930 (2015).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Debadeepti Mishra (PhD: 2013–2019)

Research Focus: Freeze-out dynamics and particle production studies in heavy-ion collisions using STAR detector data at RHIC.

Particle Production Studies in Au+Au and U+U Collisions using the STAR detector at RHIC and Understanding the Freeze-out Dynamics

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Bulk properties of the system formed in Au+Au collisions at 14.5 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 101, 024905 (2020).
• Freeze-out conditions in proton-proton collisions at top RHIC and LHC energies, Phys. Rev. C 95, 014912 (2017).
• Freeze-out systematics due to the hadron spectrum, Phys. Rev. C 96, 054907 (2017).
• Freeze-out parameters in heavy-ion collisions at AGS, SPS, RHIC & LHC energies, Adv. High Energy Phys. 2015, 349013 (2015).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Kishora Nayak (PhD: 2012–2018)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Central China Normal University (CCNU), China

K* production at high transverse momentum in Pb–Pb collisions and high-multiplicity pp collisions at LHC energies

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• K*⁰(892) and ϕ(1020) meson production at high transverse momentum in pp and Pb–Pb collisions at √s_NN = 2.76 TeV, Phys. Rev. C 95, 064606 (2017).
• Multiplicity dependence of light-flavor hadron production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, Phys. Rev. C 99, 024906 (2019).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Md. Rihan Haque (PhD: 2010–2015)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Nuclei production and azimuthal anisotropy of charged particles in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Elliptic and triangular flow in asymmetric heavy-ion collisions, Phys. Rev. C 84, 067901 (2011).
• Multiplicity, average transverse momentum and azimuthal anisotropy in U+U collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV using AMPT model, Phys. Rev. C 85, 034905 (2012).
• Fluctuating initial condition and smoothing effect on elliptic and triangular flow, Phys. Rev. C 86, 037901 (2012).
• Event-by-event hydrodynamic simulations for √s_NN = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions and correlation between flow coefficients and initial asymmetry measures, Phys. Rev. C 87, 034907 (2013).
• Elliptic flow of light nuclei and identified hadrons: energy and centrality dependence in STAR, Nucl. Phys. A 931, 915 (2014).
• Measurement of elliptic flow of light nuclei at √s_NN = 200, 62.4, 39, 27, 19.6, 11.5 & 7.7 GeV at RHIC, Phys. Rev. C 94, 034908 (2016).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Sabita Das (PhD: 2010–2015)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Central China Normal University (CCNU), China
Present: Assistant Professor of Physics, K.K.S. Women’s College, Balasore, Odisha

Identified particle production and freeze-out dynamics in STAR at RHIC Beam Energy Scan Program  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Bulk properties of the medium produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions from the Beam Energy Scan program, Phys. Rev. C 96, 044904 (2017).
• Identified particle production and freeze-out properties in heavy-ion collisions in the RHIC BES program, EPJ Web Conf. 90, 08007 (2015).
• Freeze-out parameters in heavy-ion collisions at AGS, SPS, RHIC & LHC energies, Adv. High Energy Phys. 2015, 349013 (2015).
• Cosmic-ray test of mini-drift thick GEM for Transition Radiation Detector, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A 785, 33–39 (2015).
• Chemical freeze-out parameters in the Beam Energy Scan program at STAR, EPJ Web Conf. 90, 10003 (2015).
• Study of freeze-out dynamics in STAR at RHIC Beam Energy Scan program, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 509, 012066 (2014).
• Centrality dependence of freeze-out parameters from the Beam Energy Scan at STAR, Nucl. Phys. A 904, 891c (2013).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Subhash Singha (PhD: 2009–2014)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Kent State University, USA
(Stationed at Brookhaven National Laboratory)

Identified particle production in p+p and Pb+Pb collisions at LHC energies  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Studying re-scattering effects in heavy-ion collisions through K* production, Int. J. Mod. Phys. E 24, 1550041 (2015).
• Inclusive photon production at forward rapidities in p+p collisions at √s = 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV, Eur. Phys. J. C 75, 146 (2015).
• K*(892)⁰ and ϕ(1020) production in Pb–Pb collisions at √s_NN = 2.76 TeV, Phys. Rev. C 91, 024609 (2015).
• Production of K*(892)⁰ and ϕ(1020) in p+p collisions at √s = 7 TeV, Eur. Phys. J. C 72, 2183 (2012).
• Energy dependence of (p̅/p) ratio in p+p collisions, Phys. Rev. C 82, 044902 (2010).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Md. Nasim (PhD: 2009–2014)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), USA
Current: Faculty, IISER Berhampur (Profile link)

Azimuthal anisotropy measurements for identified particles produced in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 7.7–200 GeV  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Observation of an energy-dependent difference in elliptic flow between particles and antiparticles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 142301 (2013).
• Elliptic flow of identified hadrons in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 7.7–62.4 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 88, 014902 (2013).
• Elliptic flow of ϕ mesons: a sensitive probe for the onset of deconfinement in high-energy heavy-ion collisions, Phys. Rev. C 87, 014904 (2013).
• Inclusive charged hadron elliptic flow in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 7.7–39 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 86, 054908 (2012).
• Longitudinal scaling of observables in heavy-ion collision models, Phys. Rev. C 83, 054902 (2011).
• Energy dependence of elliptic flow from heavy-ion collision models, Phys. Rev. C 82, 054908 (2010).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Ranbir Singh (PhD: 2008–2014)

After PhD: Research visit to University of Catania, Italy
Current: Scientist, NISER Bhubaneswar (Profile link)

Azimuthal anisotropy measurements in Pb+Pb collisions at √s_NN = 2.76 TeV and identification of jet-like events in PMD

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Selected experimental results from heavy-ion collisions at LHC, Adv. High Energy Phys. 2013, 761474 (2013).
• Energy dependence of inclusive photon elliptic flow in heavy-ion collision models, J. Phys. G 39, 055002 (2012).
• Charged particle anisotropic flow (v₂, v₃, v₄) in Pb–Pb collisions at midrapidity measured by ALICE, Proc. Sci. (CPOD 2013) 054.
• Identification of jet-like events at forward rapidities using PMD at LHC energies, Proc. DAE Symp. Nucl. Phys. 56, 958 (2011).
• Elliptic flow of inclusive photons at forward rapidities in heavy-ion collision models, Proc. DAE Symp. Nucl. Phys. 56, 1008 (2011).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Chitrasen Jena (PhD: 2006–2012)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Padua, Italy
Current: Faculty, IISER Tirupati (Profile link)

Particle production and elliptic flow of light nuclei in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (included in thesis):

• Observation of the antimatter helium-4 nucleus, Nature 473, 353–356 (2011).
• Elliptic flow of light nuclei in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV, Nucl. Phys. A 862–863, 281–284 (2011).
• Longitudinal scaling of observables in heavy-ion collision models, Phys. Rev. C 83, 054902 (2011).

➤ Full publication list during PhD

Dr. Pawan Kumar Netrakanti (PhD: 2003–2006)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Purdue University, USA
Current: Scientist, Nuclear Physics Division, BARC Mumbai (Profile link)

Photon production in nucleus–nucleus collisions at forward rapidities at RHIC energies  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (research conducted in my group):

• Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of photons in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 62.4 GeV, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 062301 (2005). [arXiv:0502008]
• Quark participants and global observables, Phys. Rev. C 70, 027901 (2004). [arXiv:0401036]
• Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles and photons at forward pseudorapidity in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 62.4 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 73, 034906 (2006). [arXiv:0511026]
• The width of the rapidity distribution in heavy-ion collisions, Phys. Rev. C 71, 047901 (2005). [arXiv:0504004]

Dr. Sadhana Dash (PhD: 2004–2009)

After PhD: INFN Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Torino, Italy
Current: Faculty, Department of Physics, IIT Bombay (Profile link)

Study of K*(892) resonance production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (research conducted in my group):

• K*⁰ production in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 62.4 and 200 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 84, 034909 (2011). [arXiv:1006.1961]

Dr. Lokesh Kumar (PhD: 2004–2009)

After PhD: Postdoctoral Fellow, Kent State University (stationed at BNL)
Then: Scientific Officer E, NISER Bhubaneswar
Current: Faculty, Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh (Profile link)

Identified particle production, fluctuations and correlations in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC  [PhD Thesis]

PhD Publications (research conducted in my group):

• Identified particle production, azimuthal anisotropy, and interferometry in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 9.2 GeV, Phys. Rev. C 81, 024911 (2010). [arXiv:0909.4131]
• System-size dependence of transverse momentum correlations at √s_NN = 62.4 and 200 GeV at RHIC, Phys. Rev. C 87, 064902 (2013). [arXiv:1301.6633]

Ms. Roli Esha (M.Sc.: 2012–2013)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Glauber modeling of high-energy heavy-ion collisions and azimuthal anisotropy studies of produced particles

Her research involved implementing both optical and Monte-Carlo Glauber models to estimate:

• Initial geometry: nucleon participants, binary collisions, eccentricity
• Initial magnetic field and angular momentum in heavy-ion collisions
• Charged-particle multiplicity systematics vs. centrality
• Connection of spatial eccentricity to elliptic flow (v₂)
• Extraction of η/s using Knudsen-number based scaling

The work also explored RHIC Beam Energy Scan physics — studying how v₂(pₜ) reflects changing QCD medium properties and possible signatures of phase transition dynamics at high baryon density.

Mr. Evan John Philip (M.Sc.: 2013–2014)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Stony Brook University, New York (USA)

Hydrodynamics and momentum distribution of hadrons in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Research Summary:

This thesis examined transverse momentum spectra of produced hadrons across a wide range of collision energies (√s_NN ≈ 9–2760 GeV), using physics models that encode initial-state effects and collective behavior of the created medium.

• Implemented the Random Walk Model to study initial-state momentum broadening
• Estimated freeze-out temperature using p+p data as baseline
• Used p+A results to constrain the average transverse rapidity shift
• Showed that the model explains low-energy pion spectra but breaks down at LHC energies

To interpret this failure at high beam energies, hydrodynamics-based modeling was explored using the Blast Wave Model — showing good coverage of data at RHIC and LHC.

• Implemented 1+1D relativistic hydrodynamics with Bjorken initial conditions
• Studied the role of different equations of state (ideal gas, MIT Bag Model, lattice QCD)
• Used Cooper–Frye freeze-out to obtain hadron spectra
• Explained the mass-dependent slope (pion vs proton) as hydrodynamic collectivity

Mr. Arabinda Behera (M.Sc.: 2014–2015)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Stony Brook University, New York (USA)

K*(892)⁰ resonance production and elliptic flow at STAR

Research Summary:

The thesis studies how the short-lived K*(892)⁰ resonance serves as a sensitive probe of the hadronic medium formed in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Because its lifetime (~4 fm/c) is comparable to the hadronic phase duration, its decay daughters may interact with the medium — modifying observable yields and properties.

• Simulation of Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV with the AMPT model
• Extraction of yield, mass, and width from invariant mass distributions
• Modeling re-scattering and regeneration to explain yield suppression
• Study of in-medium effects on resonance survival probabilities

The experimental component analyzed U+U collisions at √s_NN = 193 GeV using STAR data (≈10 million events), establishing resonance properties and flow behavior.

• Event selection, signal extraction and background estimation
• Measurement of elliptic flow v₂ via event-plane method
• Observation of non-zero v₂ → collective dynamics for K*(892)⁰
• Comparison with ϕ-meson v₂ shows similar behavior as expected for mesonic resonances
• Centrality-dependent v₂ trends indicate changing anisotropy strength

Mr. Himangshu Neog (M.Sc.: 2015–2016)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Texas A&M University, College Station (USA)

ϕ(1020) and K*(892)⁰ production in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Research Summary:

The thesis focuses on the measurement of resonance production in p+p collisions at √s = 7 TeV, probing QCD hadronization and late-stage dynamics in elementary systems.

• Analysis of differential yields d²N/(dydp_T) for ϕ and K*(892)⁰ at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5)
• Extraction of mean p_T and p_T-integrated yield (dN/dy)
• Comparison of results with PYTHIA 6.4 event generator predictions
• Determination of resonance mass and width across p_T bins
• Study of deviations indicating in-medium and/or hadronization effects

Mr. Sumanya Sekhar Sahoo (M.Sc.: 2015–2016)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Exploring career opportunities in biophysics

Study of gaseous detectors for high-energy physics experiments

Research Summary:

This thesis focused on understanding the working principles and performance optimization of gaseous detectors — a key technology for particle detection in nuclear and high-energy physics experiments.

• Studied basic ionization processes induced by charged particles in gases
• Explored operating regions of gaseous detectors (ionization → proportional → Geiger)
• Analyzed primary/secondary electron production and their transport properties
• Investigated avalanche multiplication and signal induction mechanisms
• Discussed optimal gas mixture properties for stability and gain
• Introduced simulation procedures for detector design and characterization

The work demonstrated how physics-based modeling helps refine detector technologies for modern applications in collider and nuclear experiments.

Mr. Amit Nanda (M.Sc.: 2016–2017)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Working on Antimatter Physics (AVA Project), Stefan Meyer Institute for Subatomic Physics, Vienna, Austria

Measurement of ϕ(1020) meson production in p+p collisions at √s = 13 TeV

Research Summary:

The thesis focused on resonance production in high-energy elementary collisions to establish baseline physics for heavy-ion studies using ALICE data.

• Measured ϕ(1020) yields and p_T spectra at |y| < 0.5 and 0.4 < p_T < 10 GeV/c
• Compared results with PYTHIA 8 event generator predictions
• Studied multiplicity-dependent behavior using V0M event-class selection
• Extracted ⟨p_T⟩ and dN/dy as a function of charged-particle density dN_ch/dη
• Investigated strangeness-related signatures via the ϕ/K ratio

The results help clarify strangeness production mechanisms in p+p collisions and serve as a vital reference for interpreting medium effects in p+A and A+A systems.

Mr. Rohith Saradhy (M.Sc.: 2016–2017)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, University of Minnesota, USA

Study of particle interaction in matter, gas-based detector development and simulation

Research Summary:

The thesis focused on characterizing gaseous radiation detectors using both experimental measurements and Monte-Carlo simulations, alongside understanding particle interaction physics in matter.

• Studied charged particle energy loss using the Bethe–Bloch equation
• Developed and tested a 15 × 15 cm² Bakelite RPC
• Measured detector performance: leakage current, efficiency, noise rate
• Simulated detector geometry using Geant4 for various charged particles
• Explored effects of gas composition and electrode gap parameters

Charged particle interactions were also investigated — leading to the development and testing of a gas-based proportional counter.

• Designed and simulated a double-window proportional counter
• Detector optimized for ~17.5 keV X-rays
• Experimentally validated at the X-ray diffractometer facility, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar

Mr. Somadutta Bhatta (M.Sc.: 2017–2018)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Stony Brook University, USA

Probing particle production in Au+Au collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV using spectators

Research Summary:

This thesis aimed to improve the selection of initial collision geometry in heavy-ion collisions using experimental observables beyond conventional multiplicity-based centrality binning.

• Studied event-by-event fluctuations in initial geometry for fixed centrality
• Used spectator neutron measurements from the STAR Zero Degree Calorimeter (ZDC)
• Performed double-binning: multiplicity + spectator neutrons
• Accessed new classes of initial states not distinguishable by multiplicity alone

Results show that this improved binning strategy:

• Breaks previously assumed scaling relations (e.g. v₂/ε₂ vs. (1/S)dN_ch/dη)
• Reveals richer sensitivity to geometry-driven anisotropy (e.g., acoustic scaling)
• Enables enhanced control over early-stage QGP initial conditions

This novel method provides a promising path for future detailed studies of QGP formation and transport properties via **initial-state engineering**.

Mr. Ganesh Parida (M.Sc.: 2018–2019)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA

HBT correlations with π⁺ and Λ⁰ baryons in heavy-ion collisions and Spin Alignment of Vector Meson (K*⁰) in p–Pb collisions

Research Summary:

The thesis consists of two complementary investigations probing the space–time dynamics and spin behavior of hadrons produced in high-energy collisions.

• HBT (Interferometry) Study: – π⁺ and Λ⁰ particle correlations studied in Au+Au at √s_NN = 200 GeV (Therminator) pp at √s = 900 GeV (PYTHIA)
• Extracted HBT radii and chaoticity vs. transverse momentum k_T, and compared model results with experimental data
• Extended HBT framework to **fermions (Λ⁰)**, exploring quantum statistical effects

The second part explores **spin alignment** as a probe of particle production mechanisms:

• Measured K*⁰ vector meson spin alignment in p–Pb at √s_NN = 5.02 TeV using ALICE experiment data
• Obtained ρ₀₀ (spin density matrix element) vs p_T
• Deviations from the expected value ρ₀₀ = 1/3 could indicate underlying spin–orbit dynamics or medium-induced effects

This work links femtoscopy and spin-sensitive observables, offering insight into the hadronization environment in both small (p–Pb) and large (Au–Au) collision systems.

Mr. Viraj Thakkar (M.Sc.: 2018–2019)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, New York University
Center for Data Science, USA

Machine Learning Applications in High Energy Physics
and Dark Matter Search

Research Summary:

The thesis explores modern Machine Learning (ML) techniques to enhance sensitivity and event classification capabilities in two major experimental programs: **ALICE at the LHC** and **SuperCDMS dark-matter search**.

• ALICE – Heavy-ion Physics:
  Applied Boosted Decision Trees (BDT) to increase the significance of the reconstructed K*⁰ resonance by improving signal–background separation.
• SuperCDMS – Dark Matter Search:
  Implemented BDTs to classify **electron recoils vs nuclear recoils**, a key step in rejecting background in cryogenic detectors.
• Optimized **fiducial volume selection** to reduce surface-event contamination, improving sensitivity to Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs).

This work demonstrates the power of data-driven algorithms in both collider and rare-event physics, paving the way for ML-based discovery tools in the future.

Mr. Diptanil Roy (M.Sc.: 2018–2019)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA

Feasibility Study of Fluctuations of Net-Proton, Net-Charge,
and Net-Kaon Multiplicity Distributions in the CBM Experiment

Research Summary:

Event-by-event fluctuations of conserved quantities (baryon number, charge, strangeness) serve as promising signatures of the **QCD phase transition** and potential **critical point**. This thesis evaluates the feasibility of such measurements at FAIR/CBM energies.

• Used **UrQMD transport model** simulations for Au+Au collisions at lab energies of **4, 6, 8, and 10 AGeV**.
• Calculated **cumulants up to 4th order** for net-proton, net-charge, and net-kaon multiplicity distributions vs. energy and centrality.
• Passed events through full **CBM detector acceptance and response** to assess **realistic measurement sensitivity**.
• Demonstrated **unfolding techniques** to recover true cumulants from detector-smeared data, outperforming simple binomial acceptance corrections.
• Extended the method to **mixed second-order cumulants** to probe correlations between conserved charges.

These results establish that CBM has strong potential to explore critical phenomena in the **high-baryon-density region** of the QCD phase diagram.

Mr. Tanmay Pani (M.Sc.: 2019–2020)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA

Study of Au–³He Collisions at √s_NN = 200 GeV

Research Summary:

This work explores small-system heavy-ion collisions, specifically Au–³He at 200 GeV using STAR data from 2014 and AMPT simulations to probe geometry-driven collectivity.

• Performed **centrality determination** using charged particle multiplicity.
• Extracted **transverse momentum (pT) spectra for pions** at midrapidity.
• Compared AMPT simulations using **default** and **modified ³He wave functions** to evaluate impact of nuclear structure.
• Observed reduced **eccentricities and Pearson correlator** with realistic ³He spatial profile — a clear signature of geometry dependence.
• Outlined future direction: **anisotropic flow measurements** and multi-particle correlations.

This thesis supports the growing interest in **small but collectively flowing systems** and tests the role of initial-state geometry in generating QGP-like signatures.

Mr. Soumik Chandra (M.Sc.: 2019–2020)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Purdue University, USA

Construction and Simulation of Glass Resistive Plate Chamber for μ Detection

Research Summary:

This work involves **designing, fabricating, and testing** a Glass Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) intended for future muon detection in the **CBM experiment at FAIR**.

• Developed a **low-resistivity glass RPC** (∼10¹⁰ Ω·cm) to support high-rate environments.
• Evaluated detector performance using different **surface coatings** and **gas mixtures**.
• Characterized key operational parameters: efficiency, optimized HV working point, multiplicity, rate capability, and noise rate.
• Simulated muon tracking response using **Garfield++** for performance validation.

The study demonstrates feasibility of low-resistivity RPCs for fast-timing muon systems, contributing toward detector development for next-generation heavy-ion experiments.

Mr. Aman Dimri (M.Sc.: 2020–2021)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, Stony Brook University, USA

Particle production in high energy collisions

Research Summary:

This thesis connects **statistical mechanics** with **QGP phenomenology**, by refining the thermodynamic description of hadronic matter relevant to heavy-ion collisions.

• Explored **ideal Bose & Fermi gases** → foundation for QCD thermodynamics.
• Introduced **finite-size effects** using van der Waals **excluded volume** formulation.
• Added **attractive interactions** leading to a realistic equation of state for hadrons.
• Applied these formulations to the **Hadron Resonance Gas (HRG) model** and compared thermodynamic observables with **lattice QCD (μ_B = 0)** results.
• Using **THERMUS**, extracted **chemical freeze-out parameters** across beam energies.
• Compared **particle yields** from **AMPT simulations** of Au–Au at 7.7 GeV with STAR data.
• Studied **anisotropic flow** (v₂, v₃) and demonstrated **NCQ scaling** as a signature of QGP-like behavior.

The work improves our understanding of **real-gas effects** in HRG models and supports the interpretation of flow observables as indicators of **deconfined matter** in low-energy RHIC collisions.

Mr. Aranya Giri (M.Sc.: 2020–2021)

Pursued M.Sc. thesis research at NISER
Current: Graduate Student, University of Houston, USA

Cumulants of Event-by-Event Mean p_T Distribution in Pb–Pb and pp Collisions at LHC Energy

Research Summary:

This thesis investigates **event-by-event mean transverse momentum (⟨p_T⟩) fluctuations** as a sensitive probe of initial-state dynamics and thermalization in high-energy collisions.

• Analyzed **Pb–Pb collisions at √s_NN = 5.02 TeV** using ALICE data and **pp collisions** simulated with PYTHIA8.
• Extracted **cumulants C₁–C₄** of ⟨p_T⟩ distributions across collision centralities.
• Compared results with **Gamma distribution baseline** to isolate non-statistical fluctuations.
• Applied **detector efficiency corrections** using unfolding and ratio methods — with limited MC statistics identified as a key challenge.
• Assessed role of PYTHIA8 physics options: **Color Reconnection** and **Rope Hadronization** on fluctuation signatures.

Fluctuation measurements offer strong potential to reveal correlations and medium response effects, contributing to the understanding of **initial-state dynamics** in both large (Pb–Pb) and small (pp) systems at the LHC.