Dr. Santosh C R

Overview

Dr. Santosh C R specialises in ultrafast photonics and fiber-optic systems. His work involves investigating physical phenomena through theoretical understanding, numerical modelling, and experiments, while also translating these insights into new photonic systems and scientific instruments.

As a teacher and mentor, he strives to help students appreciate the physics behind what they learn, ask questions, and develop the curiosity to explore beyond the classroom. He places emphasis on hands-on experimentation, independent thinking and connecting fundamental physics with real-world problems.

He completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Physics with a specialisation in Photonics at SSSIHL and earned his Ph.D. in Physics in 2024, investigating mode-locked fiber lasers, particularly in the noise-like pulse regime. His research combines theory, numerical modelling and experimentation in nonlinear optics, laser physics and optical instrumentation, with an emphasis on developing indigenous photonic sources and measurement systems.

Areas of Teaching

Optics and Photonics, Electromagnetic Theory, Classical Electrodynamics, Fiber Optics, Laser Physics, Optical Fiber Communication Systems

Research Interests

Ultrafast fiber lasers and femtosecond and picosecond pulse sources
Nonlinear fiber optics, including noise-like pulses and spectral broadening
Tunable, reconfigurable and multiplexed laser sources
Fiber-based frequency combs and nonlinear wavelength conversion, including mid-infrared sources
Indigenous, cost-effective optical instrumentation
Photonic applications in spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, microscopy, sensing and precision metrology
Automation and AI/machine learning for intelligent, self-optimising photonic systems

Awards & Recognitions

DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (2018): Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India — Prestigious national fellowship awarded under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme to support doctoral research in science and technology.
Gold Medal, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for outstanding academic performance in the M.Sc. programme (2017).
Sri Sathya Sai All Rounder Gold Medal, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (2014) – Prestigious institutional award recognizing outstanding all-round achievement and excellence.

Professional Bodies & Research Groups

Member of Optica (formerly Optical Society of America)
Member of SPIE
Member of OSI (Optical Society of India)

Sri Sathya Sai Values-based Integral Education

University drama activities, Cricket activities