Broad Research Areas

Spectroscopy | Single-Molecule/Particle Spectroscopy | Super Resolution Microscopy (STORM & SRRF) | Nanoscience | Quantum Dot Photophysics

Short Professional Bio

I am Kush Kaushik, currently pursuing my PhD at the School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India. I recently submitted my PhD thesis titled “Tuning Fluorescence Blinking in Quantum Dots for Room Temperature Single Photon Emission and Super Resolution Microscopy” on April 23, 2025, under the guidance of Prof. Chayan Kanti Nandi. I am scheduled to defend my thesis by the 18th of July.

As a passionate physical chemist, I specialize in optical spectroscopy and various microscopy techniques, including confocal microscopy, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), and Super Resolution Microscopy (STORM and SRRF). Over the course of my research, I have developed expertise in a range of instruments utilized in these fields, allowing for a comprehensive investigation of photophysics and it's diverse application. My thesis work focuses on exploring the behavior of quantum dots (QDs) and their luminescence at both the ensemble and single particle levels. It comprises four main parts, where I tuned the behavior of single particles to make them suitable for single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). This advancement has allowed us to visualize lysosomes with unprecedented resolution through protein conjugation. I also investigated a fascinating and rare phenomenon where the quantum yield of CdTe QDs decreases with increasing excitation wavelength, and I elucidated the mechanism behind single photon emission observed in CdTeSe QDs, an important aspect for potential applications in room temperature quantum computing.

I am hopeful that my research findings will contribute to advancements in diverse fields, including nanotechnology, bioimaging, and quantum optics, and I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with others in this exciting area of study.