Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Course | IIT Bombay | Prof. Anindya Datta
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 12 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Tools to Capture Molecular Motion in Real-Time
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy, a powerful field that allows scientists to 'watch' chemical bonds break, energy transfer, and biological processes unfold on their fundamental timescales—often in femtoseconds (10⁻¹⁵ seconds). This detailed blog outlines a comprehensive 12-week postgraduate course designed and taught by Prof. Anindya Datta from the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
About the Instructor: Prof. Anindya Datta
Learning from an expert is crucial. This course is led by Prof. Anindya Datta, a distinguished professor with 17 years of teaching experience and a 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award from IIT Bombay. His research focuses on ultrafast spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence microscopy. Under his guidance, 14 Ph.D. students have graduated, with 8 more currently pursuing their degrees. Prof. Datta has also authored popular NPTEL courses on Molecular Spectroscopy and Symmetry in Chemistry, ensuring a pedagogy that is both deep and accessible.
Course Overview
This 12-week course is structured to take you from the fundamentals to the forefront of research in ultrafast spectroscopy.
- Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 Weeks
- Intended Audience: Students and researchers in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Biological Sciences, and Chemical Engineering.
- Prerequisite: A basic course in Molecular Spectroscopy.
Detailed Course Layout: A Week-by-Week Journey
The syllabus is meticulously crafted to balance theory, instrumentation, and cutting-edge applications.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, Steady-state spectroscopy, Spectrophotometers (with Lab Visit) |
| Week 2 | Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) theory, lab visit, and data analysis |
| Week 3 | Streak Camera, Femtosecond Optical Gating (with Lab Visit) |
| Week 4 | Pump-Probe technique theory, lab visit, Impulsive Raman spectroscopy |
| Week 5 | Generation & amplification of ultrashort pulses, Optical Parametric Amplification |
| Week 6 | Fundamentals of Nonlinear Optics |
| Week 7 | Fluorescence Depolarization & its time-resolved applications |
| Week 8 | Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) |
| Week 9 | Applications in Basic Science: Bond breaking & acid-base reaction mechanisms |
| Week 10 | Solvation Dynamics and Hydrogen Bond Dynamics |
| Week 11 | Ultrafast Processes in Materials Science |
| Week 12 | Ultrafast Processes in Life Sciences |
Core Modules and Learning Outcomes
1. Foundational Basics
The course begins with core concepts of electronic spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetimes, quantum yields, solvent effects, and anisotropy. This foundation is essential for understanding the fast phenomena studied later.
2. Instrumentation & Tools
You will gain hands-on knowledge (via lab visits) of critical techniques like TCSPC, Fluorescence Upconversion, Transient Absorption, and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy. The course demystifies how ultrashort laser pulses are created and used as probes.
3. Cutting-Edge Applications
The latter part focuses on applying these tools to real-world problems: studying light-harvesting in photosynthesis, protein folding, DNA sequencing, dynamics in nanomaterials, perovskite solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells.
Essential Reference Books
To supplement the lectures, Prof. Datta recommends the following authoritative texts:
- Lakowicz, J. R. Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy (3rd ed.)
- Zewail, A. H. Femtochemistry: Ultrafast Dynamics of the Chemical Bond
- Douhal, A. (Ed.) Femtochemistry and Femtobiology
- Silfvast, W. T. Laser Fundamentals
- Abramczyk, H. Introduction to Laser Spectroscopy
Why Take This Course?
Ultrafast spectroscopy is a cornerstone technique in modern physical chemistry and interdisciplinary research. This course offers:
- Expert Instruction: Learn from an award-winning teacher and active researcher.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers from basics to advanced research topics.
- Practical Insight: Lab visits and data analysis modules provide practical context.
- Interdisciplinary Relevance: Direct applications in chemistry, physics, biology, and materials science make it invaluable for a wide range of researchers.
Whether you aim to characterize new materials, probe biological function, or understand fundamental chemical dynamics, this course on Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical insight to leverage these powerful techniques in your research.
Enroll Now →