Department of Physics
National Institute of Technology Calicut
Research Facilities
The lab is currently equipped with a substantial line-up of scientific instruments, to cover the diverse needs of research in the field of optofluidics and interface science.
1. Microscope - Olympus IX-73
The main workhorse of our lab. It plays an invaluable role in helping us see the physics as it happens.
Key Features:-
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Upto 100x objective magnification
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Coupled with fluorescent light and filters at various wavelengths for fluorescence microscopy.
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Capability to couple with laser illumination from the objective lens.
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Coupled with Magnus CMOS camera for digital imaging.
2. High Speed Camera - Phantom Miro C211
The Phantom Miro high-speed camera is a relatively newer addition to our toolset. It is crucial in studying the dynamics of droplet impact, soft-matter deformation, particle laden interface studies etc.
Key Features:-
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1,800 fps at full 1.3 Megapixel resolution of 1280 x 1024 till a Maximum speed at reduced resolution of 64 x 8 is 67,140 fps. Minimum frame rate at all resolutions is 50 fps.
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Programmable trigger (pre/post trigger recording). Image-Based Auto-Trigger. APIs for popular programming languages - Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW etc.
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1280x1024 pixels CMOS sensor.
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Can be coupled with Olympus IX-73 microscope
3. Thermal Camera - FLIR E75
The FLIR E75 thermal camera is an indispensable tool, especially in our studies of optothermally controlled particle patterning to accurately monitor the temperature gradients in the system.
The data and images captured by the camera has appeared in several of our published works such as [1], [2].
Key Features:-
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Can measure a temperature range between 0 to 650 degree Celsius with an error bar of 2%.
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320 x 240 pixels resolution.
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24 degree & 18 degree lenses
4. Spatial Light Modulator - Holoeye LETO-3
The spatial light modulator helps us precisely manipulate light into arbitrary shapes and patterns.
Key Features:-
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Reflective LCOS display
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Display with an active area of 12.29 x 6.91 mm
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1920 x 1080 resolution
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APIs for popular programming languages - Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW etc.
5. Motorised XYZ Stage
The XYZ motorised stage (MXYZCTS-80, Holmarc Opto-Mechatronics) helps us to move the substrates with fine precision and has an arbitrarily programmable control.
Key Features:-
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Movement at a resolution of up to 0.125 micron
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Variable movement speed range between 1.6 mm/sec and 0.25 micron/sec.
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Stage area of 80 x 80 mm.
6. 3D Printer
The Zortrax Inkspire is a high - precision resin 3D printer that utilizes UV-LCD technology, which offers exceptional details and surface smoothness.
Key Features:-
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Technology : UV LCD - projecting shape of a layer on the underside of the tank with liquid resin and curing the layer with UV lamp
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Pixel size : 50 microns
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Build volume : 132 x 74 x 175 mm
7. Centrifuge
This is refrigerated bench top centrifuge (NEUATION iFUGE UC02R) designed to separate, sediment, spin down aqueous solutions and solvent suspensions of differing densities in compatible sample containers.
Key Features:-
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Speed range : 500 to 15000 RPM
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Temperature range : -10°C to 40°C
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Size : 705 x 585 x 330 mm
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BLDC maintenance free motor drive
8. Contact Angle Meter
The Holmarc Contact Angle Meter (HO- IAD- CAM-01) is used to measure the contact angle of a liquid on a solid surface, which helps in determining the wettability or surface energy of materials.
Key Features:-
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Measuring method : sessile & pendant drop methods
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Analysis method : automatic curve fit analysis using drop snake method
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Image resolution in pixels : 2592 x 1944
9. Lasers
In our lab, lasers play a crucial role in manipulating, analyzing, and controlling fluid flows.
Wavelength : 532 nm Power : 100 mW
Wavelength : 632.8 nm Power : 10 mW
Wavelength : 632 nm Power Range : 0-350 mW
Wavelength : 532 nm Power : 100 mW
Our laboratory is also equipped with essential instruments such as syringe pump, weighing balance, optical benches with vibration isolation, vortex mixer, hot-plate and a range of optical components to support advanced optofluidics research.