Batra's Book a Guide for Graduate Students
Batra Releases Seventh Book
Alabama A&M University Physicist Dr. Ashok Batra recently completed and published his seventh book, titled “A Refresher Guide to Thin Film Technology,” just before his retirement on January 1, 2024. This latest publication serves as a comprehensive guide tailored particularly for graduate students pursuing their Ph.D. in physics.
Explaining the motivation behind his latest endeavor, Dr. Batra expressed, “I wrote this book to provide a comprehensive resource on thin film technology, which is a crucial area within the field of physics. Thin film technology involves the deposition of thin layers of materials onto various substrates, finding applications in diverse fields such as energy storage, photovoltaic solar cells, and integrated circuits.”
Having served as a distinguished Professor of Physics at AAMU, Dr. Batra emphasized the significance of his latest contribution, stating, “This book aims to lay down the fundamental principles of thin film phenomena and associated technologies, catering not only to graduate students but also to thin film research professionals, technicians, and managers.”
Collaborating on this project are Dr. Ashok Vaseashta, Executive Director of Research at the International Clean Water Institute in Virginia, and Dr. Mohan Aggarwal, a fellow AAMU Professor of Physics. Dr. Aggarwal highlighted the practicality of the book, stating, “It will serve as a handy field guide, offering quick reference to a wide array of thin film technologies.”
In discussing the interdisciplinary nature of thin film technology, Dr. Aggarwal stated, “The morphology and properties of thin films are heavily influenced by deposition techniques, necessitating expertise in chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, vacuum technology, and materials science. The book delves into various deposition methods such as physical vapor deposition, vacuum evaporation, pulse laser evaporation, molecular beam epitaxy, and sputtering techniques. Additionally, it comprehensively covers characterization techniques including atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy.”
Reflecting on his prolific career, Dr. Batra shared insights into his previous publications, which encompassed topics ranging from energy harvesting and pyroelectric materials to crystal growth and advanced nuclear radiation detectors. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to mentor numerous Ph.D. students, noting their contributions to collaborative projects and co-authorship of scholarly works.
When asked about his retirement and whether “A Refresher Guide to Thin Film Technology” would be his final publication, Dr. Batra responded with contentment, stating, “Writing these books has been a source of immense joy and fulfillment. I believe I have fulfilled my obligations to AAMU and society at large.”