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= Rafi Chaudhry High Tension Laboratory =

Introduction
The Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) has emerged, in recent years, as hub for research and development (R&D) activities at GC University Lahore. The Centre aims at achieving high quality R & D activities in experimental physics by imparting training to researchers in high tech equipment. Establishment of new research laboratories equipped with sophisticated machinery like Pelletron Accelerator, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Probe Microscope (5PM), Lasers, Universal Material Testing Machine and RF Induction Furnace have made the Centre distinct among other Departments of the University.

The Centre began as the “High Tension Laboratory” in I 954 which was established by Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry (Sitara-e-Khidmat, Sitarae-lmtiaz, and Hilal-e-lmtiaz) for carrying out research in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Intensive research was carried out in this laboratory by Dr. R. M. Chaudhry, his students and colleagues. This laboratory had among other facilities, a 1.2 million Volts Cockcroft-Walton particle accelerator for conducting experiments in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. In 1967, the first student of the Centre, Mr. Mustafa Yar Khan, was awarded the PhD Degree.

Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, an Old Ravian remained Director Nuclear Research Laboratory from 1974 to 1977. Research activities during his tenure were re-initiated under his dynamic leadership. In recognition of his meritorious services and outstanding contribution in the field of Nuclear Physics, Dr. Mubarakmand was awarded- SitaraeImtiaz (1993), HiIaI-e-lmtiaz (1998) and NishaneImtiaz (2003).

In 1986, Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt was instrumental in establishing the Metal Research Laboratories, equipped with a microprocessor controlled Universal Materials Testing Machine (100KN capacity) along with other equipment to study mechanical properties of crystals and their relationship with microstructure. The Laser Physics Laboratory was also set up with carbon di-oxide laser to carry out research in laser induced.

In 1991, the Board of Governors of Government College Lahore amalgamated all these laboratories and renamed it as Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) and a new building was constructed for the same.

Major advancements were made in research facilities and infrastructure during 2002-2008. Degree awarding academic Programmes, at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels were launched in Electronics and Telecommunications. Both the programmes got nation-wide recognition and now these programmes have successfully been shifted under a separate /independent Faculty of Engineering.

Centre is privileged to have Eminent Scientists like Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry ( 1954- 1965), Dr. Tahir Hussain (1965-1968), Nasir Ahmad Qureshi (1968- 1969), Dr. Mannan Yaseen (1969- 1972), Dr. Mustafa Yar Khan (1972-1974), Dr. Samar Mubarakmand (1974- 1977), Sh. Aftab Ahmad (1977- 1979), Noor Muhammad Chaudhry (1979- 1985), Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt (1985- 1997), Dr. Shujaat Mahmood KhaIid (1997- 1998), Dr. Ijaz Mujtaba Ghauri (2000 to 20I I ), Dr. Riaz Ahmad (2011- till to date).

Keeping in view the tremendous advancements in science and technology, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan was approached in 2002 for the provision of funds. Grants of Rs. I 90 millions were obtained from the HEC for revamping the existing facilities and for establishing new research laboratories. A new multi-story building was constructed to house

Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry Chair
The Rafi M. Chaudhri Chair in Experimental Physics has been established at CASP to pay homage to its founder, Prof. Dr. Rafi M. Chaudhri, and to ensure that his tradition of research continues to flourish. So far, Dr. Nisar Ahmad (2008-2010), Dr. Shoaib Ahmad (2010-2012), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt (2013-2017) and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakaullah (2017-present) have been appointed as Rafi M. Chaudhri Chair Professors in Experimental Physics.

Institute named after Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry

 * Rafi Chaudhry High Tension Laboratory, Government College University

CASP Library
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.

Logo
The center has a logo which shows a book as a sign of knowledge, and an Arabic verse from the Qur'an which translates to "Why don't you think?" . On top is the department's name and at the bottom is the name of the university.

Building
CHEP is located in the new campus of the University of the Punjab near the main gates of the university (Gate No. 1 and Gate No. 2). CHEP has a two-storey building with its own library (other than the university main library), seven computer labs: a programming, modeling and simulation lab, a supercomputer lab, M.Phill. computer lab, Ph.D. computer lab, a physics lab, a modern physics lab and an electronics lab. The building stands in front of the Institute of Chemistry and the Under-graduate Block, next to the Institute of Biochemistry. Behind the center lies the university jogging ground.

Research areas

 * Harmonic physics
 * Experimental High energy physics (data analysis)
 * Parallel processing and high performance computation
 * Medical Physics (modeling and simulation)
 * Computational analysis of physical properties of solids
 * Phenomenology of weak decay and CP violation
 * Neutrino physics
 * Meson-Meson physics
 * Physics education
 * Quantum physics
 * Electromagnetism
 * Scientific computation
 * Solid state physics
 * Thermal physics
 * High-energy nuclear physics
 * Nuclear physics
 * Particle physics, String theory
 * Computational physics

Research Groups
The CASP has been divided into four major research groups:

1.  Materials Science Research Group 2.  Accelerator Research Group 3.  Laser Research Group 4.  Plasma Processing of Materials Group

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.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
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.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
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.

Pelletron Accelerator
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.

RF-Induction Furnace
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.

Universal Testing Machine
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
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.

Micro-hardness Tester
The hardness tester is used to determine the hardness of different metals, alloys and polymers etc.

Metallurgical Microscope
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.

Nd:YAG Laser
This special type of laser is used for material modification, plasma formation and pulsed laser deposition of thin films.

Excimer Laser
Laser Ablation and pulsed laser deposition for fabrication of thin films are the major uses of Excimer laser.

Laser-induced breakdown Spectrometer
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and elemental analysis under different ambient environments are the major uses of this spectrometer.

Ti-Sapphire Laser
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.

Plasma Technology Lab
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 Facilities
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.

Academic programs

 * Undergraduate programme (Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. (with honors) or B.S.) — the institute offers a four years programme. The undergraduate programmes are taught with the advanced courses of engineering. The disciplines are listed below in which the programmes are being offered by the institute:
 * Computational Physics, Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied physics, Electrical physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Applied mechanics, Applied Chemistry, Chemistry, and Computer Science.
 * Master's and post-research programme (Master of Science (honors), Master of Physics, and/or Master of Philosophy) — the CHEP offers a two-year programme in the disciplines listed below:
 * Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Physics, Particle physics, Medical Physics, Electrical physics, Quantum Physics, Solid State Physics, Theoretical Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics, and Computer science.
 * Post-doctoral research and Doctoral programme (Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science) — the institute manages the post-doctoral research and doctoral programmes that are expected to be completed in 2–5 years. The degrees are awarded by publishing a thesis supervised by the institute. The doctoral programmes that are offered are listed below.
 * Nuclear physics, Particle Physics, Theoretical physics, Mathematical physics, Laser physics, Atomic physics, AMO physics, Mathematics, Radiophysics, Astrophysics, Cosmology Nuclear chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Mathematical chemistry and Computer science.