It can be used to obtain variety of information of a sample e.g. it can provide topographical, morphological, compositional and crystallographic information. It can also be used for quality assurance assessment, detection of corrosion in metals and to perform qualitative & semi-quantitative elemental analyses.
The TEM is highly sophisticated sate of the art instrument capable of carrying out Micro-Structural study of almost every kind of material including biological, metallic, polymer, and ceramic samples at an atomic level. It has a magnifying range of 1000-600,000 times with a very high resolution of 4 A0 (i.e. 4×10-10 m). The Transmission Electron Microscope installed at CASP is equipped with EDX system for X-ray micro analyses of the samples.
GCU has the honor to have this kind of accelerator for the first time in the country. Pelletron accelerator has two active beam lines; one beam line is being effectively used for Proton Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIXE) analysis of materials by different science departments of the university. The second beam line is used for irradiation of materials. Thus we can carry out numerous research projects utilizing ions of different energies up to 4MeV for characterization and modification of materials.
The furnace can be used for indigenous fabrication of different alloys of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, to be used for advanced materials research and development activities.
The machine can be used to perform tensile tests of metals and alloys in the temperature range -180°C to 600°C. The tensile parameters like yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation, fracture toughness etc. can be determined using the computerized analytical facilities attached with the machine.
Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) is used for surface morphology of almost all materials i.e. biological, metallic, polymers and ceramic samples at the atomic level with a three dimensional view. It has the ability to analyze the sample in any kind of environment, therefore high vacuum conditions are not required as in case of Electron Microscopes.
The hardness tester is used to determine the hardness of different metals, alloys and polymers etc.
This Microscope is suitable for microstructural study of all kind of samples The CCD camera attached with the scope can capture images magnified in the range 50 to 1000 times.
This special type of laser is used for material modification, plasma formation and pulsed laser deposition of thin films.
Laser Ablation and pulsed laser deposition for fabrication of thin films are the major uses of Excimer laser.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and elemental analysis under different ambient environments are the major uses of this spectrometer.
This is a state of the art laser and is widely used for ultrashot laser-matter interaction processes, femtosecond laser induced spectroscopy and pulsed laser deposition of thin films.
The plasma technology lab contains dense plasma focus and cold plasma devices. Plasma diagnostics are being done using Langmuir probe and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). These devices are also used to deposit the various films on substrates.
Sample preparation lab is equipped with a number of different machines which can prepare samples according to the requirements of different High Tech Labs.
The research activities at CASP are aimed at exploring scientific facts primarily related to materials analysis and modification with intent to tailor properties of materials, to check archeological samples for applications in medicine and to help plan environmental improvement methods using high tech research equipment of the centre. CASP has produced scientists who have made their mark in prestigious research organizations like the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), A.Q. Khan Research Laboratories, the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) and the National Institute of Silicon Technology (NIST). The outgoing graduates of the Centre are in a great demand at R & D organizations of the country.
The CASP Library provides a collection of information resources for researchers. A number of computers are also provided for students to connect to the Internet and access electronic catalogues.
The Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry Chair in Experimental Physics has been established at CASP to pay homage to its founder, Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry, and to ensure that his tradition of research continues to burgeon. Dr. Shoaib Ahmad has been appointed as Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry Professor in Experimental Physics.
The CASP has been divided into four major research groups:
These groups are carrying out extensive research work on different research projects. A number research papers are being published by these groups in the journals of international repute every year. Conducting of workshops, Conferences and Seminars is a regular activity arranged by these working groups.
