Rajat Saini

Ph.D. Candidate in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics at Indian Institute of Science with expertise in thermoelectric materials and devices, phonon transport, and charge transport mechanisms. Research focuses on Cu₂Se-based thermoelectrics with achievements in enhanced figure of merit through systematic deficiency and substitution strategies.

Proficient in advanced characterization techniques (XRD, TEM, STEM, XPS, Raman) and computational methods (MATLAB, Python, DFT, machine learning image analysis).

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Scholar profile and ORCID available.

Ph.D. Research Scholar – Experimental Condensed Matter Physics - Indian Institute of Science (IISc) - Bangalore, India

(2020-10)

• Designed and optimized solid-state synthesis protocols for Cu₂Se-based thermoelectric compounds, achieving enhanced figure of merit (zT) through systematic Cu-deficiency and substitution strategies (Te, Gd, Cr, Sn).
• Performed high-temperature XRD (up to 800 °C) combined with Rietveld refinement (FullProf) to elucidate phase transitions, negative thermal expansion, and structural evolution across the superionic transition.
• Conducted atomic-resolution characterization via HRTEM, HAADF-STEM, and SAED pattern indexing to correlate mesoscale lattice disorder with thermoelectric transport properties.
• Comprehensive thermal and electrical characterization: DSC for phase identification, Hall measurements for carrier concentration/mobility, and direct thermoelectric transport measurements (Seebeck coefficient, electrical & thermal conductivity via laser flash).
• Analyzed XPS and Raman spectroscopy data to elucidate surface chemistry, oxidation states, and lattice dynamics; performed phonon mode assignment and Grüneisen parameter estimation.
• Developed MATLAB and Python (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib) pipelines for automated phonon scattering analysis, charge transport modeling, and high-resolution figure-of-merit calculations.
• Applied machine-learning-assisted STEM image analysis (GMM, K-means, PCA, PCF) to quantify local structural disorder and correlate with enhanced thermoelectric performance.
• Collaborated with Prof. S. K. Pati (JNCASR) on DFT-based electronic structure and NEB barrier calculations for Cu-ion diffusion in superionic phases.

Teaching Assistant – Department of Physics - Indian Institute of Science (IISc) - Bangalore, India

(2022-01 - 2023-12)

• Assisted in undergraduate and integrated PhD laboratory courses in Physics, guiding students through experimental design, data acquisition, and error analysis.
• Reviewed and provided constructive feedback on laboratory reports, improving scientific communication and data interpretation skills of junior researchers.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Physics - Indian Institute of Science (IISc) (2020-10 - 2026-06)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) - Physics - Department of Physics & Astrophysics, University of Delhi (2017-08 - 2020-08)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Honours) - Physics - Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi (2013-08 - 2016-08)