Post Doctoral Fellow at Rhodes University | South Africa
Dr. Steephenraj A. is a highly motivated and accomplished Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics at Rhodes University, South Africa, with a strong academic foundation and robust research expertise. He completed his Ph.D. in Physics from the prestigious SSN Research Centre, affiliated with Anna University, Chennai, with a focus on Nonlinear Optical (NLO) materials and third harmonic generation applications. His academic journey is a testament to a profound dedication to science, teaching, and research excellence.
Profile
ORCID
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Steephenraj laid his academic foundation with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics, graduating with First Class honors from A.V.C College and Poombuhar College, respectively, both affiliated with Bharathidasan University. He further pursued an M.Phil in Physics from St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, refining his interest in experimental and computational physics. These formative years shaped his strong analytical mindset and commitment to scientific inquiry.
👨🏫 Professional Endeavors
With a commendable academic trajectory, Dr. Steephenraj has held the position of Assistant Professor at several esteemed institutions such as Mohamed Sathak A.J. College of Engineering and St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, Chennai. His tenure in these roles reflects a commitment to integrating teaching with cutting-edge research, nurturing young scientific minds, and contributing to curriculum development in Physics and Computer Applications.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Steephenraj’s Ph.D. thesis stands out as a substantial contribution to the field of materials science and nonlinear optics, with a special focus on imidazolium-based dicarboxylic acid derivative single crystals. His research blends experimental crystal growth techniques (like slow evaporation) with computational methods such as Density Functional Theory (DFT). The work revolves around Third Harmonic Generation (THG)—a process vital to optical imaging, telecommunications, and laser frequency conversion. His investigations into 2MIMDT, IMSU, and 2MIO crystals have uncovered significant insights into their optical, structural, and thermal behaviors.
🌍 Impact and Influence
His research has not only been published in high-impact journals like Journal of Molecular Structure, Chemical Papers, and Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, but has also been acknowledged through citations and collaborations. His work contributes meaningfully to the global understanding of nonlinear optical materials and promotes advancements in laser-based technologies.
📚 Academic Citations
Dr. Steephenraj has authored over 6 peer-reviewed journal papers, many of which are indexed in Scopus and have a respectable impact factor ranging from 1.9 to 4.0. Notable among these is his work on Imidazolium Hydrogen Succinate and 2-Methylimidazolium D-Tartrate, which have been cited by fellow researchers in the field of nonlinear optics and computational material studies.
🧪 Research & Analytical Skills
He possesses hands-on expertise in advanced scientific instrumentation and software tools such as:
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Wilson Vickers Hardness Tester, Z-scan, UV–Visible NIR, FT-IR, SEM, TG/DTA
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Computational Tools: Gaussian 09W, GaussView, Quantum ESPRESSO, Mercury, Crystal Explorer, Bilbao Crystallographic Server, and more.
These skills have enabled him to successfully characterize materials and simulate molecular properties to predict optical behavior with high precision.
👨🏫 Teaching Experience
Dr. Steephenraj has rich teaching experience spanning several years, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula in Physics and Computer Applications. He is recognized for his concept-based approach, emphasizing hands-on learning, student engagement, and the integration of research with teaching. He has also guided M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, showcasing his capability as a mentor and academic leader.
🏆 Awards and Honors
His dedication to academics and research has earned him prestigious accolades such as:
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Best Teacher Award (2022–2023) – Mohamed Sathak AJ College of Engineering.
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Best Poster Award – Jeppiaar Engineering College (2018).
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Resource Person for national and international conferences and faculty development programs.
These accolades reflect his outstanding performance in academia and research dissemination.
🧭 Legacy & Future Contributions
Looking ahead, Dr. Steephenraj aspires to make significant contributions in advanced materials science and optical physics, with goals aligned toward sustainable technologies and global collaborations. His long-term vision includes becoming a leading research scientist and an academic policy influencer, helping shape the future of science education and innovative research in Physics.
Publications Top Notes
Studies on the Growth, Structural, Optical and Quantum chemical investigations of 2-Methylimidazolium D-Tartrate Single Crystal for SHG applications
- Authors: A. Steephenraj, S. Chinnasami, Rajesh Paulraj
Journal: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
Year: 2022
Growth, structural, vibrational, characterization and DFT investigations of 2-methylimidazolium hydrogen oxalate dihydrate (2MIO) single crystal – towards third order NLO applications
- Authors: A. Steephenraj, S. Chinnasami, P. Rajesh, S.S.J. Dhas
Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure
Year: 2023
Synthesis and optical Properties of Tin oxide thin films nanoparticles
- Authors: A. Steephenraj, P. Rajendhiran
Journal: Journal for Advanced Research in Applied Science
Growth of High Quality KADP Mixed Crystals Grown by Conventional and Sankaranayanan-Ramasamy (SR) Methods for Nonlinear Optical Applications
- Authors: T.S. Franklin Rajesh, J.S. Dhas, A. Steephenraj, R. Senthamizhselvi, A. Sivakumar, R.S. Kumar, Abdulrahman I. Almansour
Journal: Journal of Optical Materials
Year: 2024
2-Methylimidazolium hydrogen succinate single crystal growth and DFT insight for NLO applications
- Authors: K. Sowmiya, A. Steephenraj, M. Avinash, R. Gunaseelan, P. Sanjay
Journal: Journal of Molecular Physics
Year: 2025