Dr. Koustav Pal
Experimental Condensed-Matter Physics

Dr. Koustav Pal

Postdoctoral Researcher · Spin X Institute, South China University of Technology

Growing and probing 2D van der Waals quantum materials, twisted heterostructures and correlated magnetic oxides, with low-temperature transport and magneto-optics.

14Journal articles
12As corresponding author
1.5 KTransport measurements down to
8Conference posters

About

I am an experimental condensed-matter physicist. My current work covers CVD/CVT growth of 2D van der Waals quantum materials, heterostructure assembly, device fabrication, electrical transport and magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements.

My PhD at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, awarded the 2024 Best Thesis Award, examined exchange bias and magnetoresistance in perovskite oxides, rare-earth intermetallics and sputtered multilayers. I combined SQUID and PPMS measurements, structural analysis and Monte Carlo simulations to explain the results.

Twisted bilayer moire pattern

Research Themes

Schematic illustrations of the physics behind my work.

2D van der Waals & twisted systems

2D van der Waals & twisted systems

CVD/CVT growth, exfoliation, flake transfer and stacking of heterostructures and twisted bilayers; moiré physics and device fabrication.

Exchange bias

Exchange bias

Giant exchange bias in perovskite oxides, spin-compensated systems and sputtered multilayers, supported by Monte Carlo theory.

Magnetotransport

Magnetotransport

Extraordinary and giant magnetoresistance in rare-earth aluminides such as GdFe2Al10 and DyFe2Al10.

Magnetocaloric effect

Magnetocaloric effect

Ionic engineering and protocols for boosting magnetic entropy change and relative cooling power.

Griffiths phase & disorder

Griffiths phase & disorder

Disorder-driven Griffiths-like phases and charge localization in double perovskites and doped manganites.

Simulation & instrumentation

Simulation & instrumentation

Monte Carlo modelling, Python/Fortran analysis tools and LabVIEW instrument control.

Publications

Click a title or its DOI button to open the paper on the publisher site. * Corresponding author.

Experience & Education

Jan 2026 – Present

Postdoctoral Researcher

Spin X Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

CVD/CVT-grown 2D quantum materials, van der Waals heterostructures and twisted bilayers. AFM, MFM, EDS, TEM and Raman characterization; device fabrication; electrical transport; MOKE.

Jul – Dec 2025

Assistant Professor

Institute of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, India

Taught Engineering Physics and Physics Laboratory to first-year B.Tech. students, including course planning, assessment and lab demonstration.

Jan – Jun 2025

Post-PhD Research

Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata, India

Completed and published doctoral outcomes, handled peer-review responses and finished remaining experiments.

2019 – 2024

Ph.D. in Physics · Best Thesis Award 2024

SINP Kolkata (HBNI, Mumbai) · Supervisor: Prof. Indranil Das

Thesis: Investigation of Exchange Bias and Magnetotransport in Bulk and Thin Films Materials.

2017 – 2019

M.Sc. in Physics

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur · 84.6%
2014 – 2017

B.Sc. in Physics (Hons.)

Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur · 79.37% · Medal for second-highest marks

Techniques & Tools

2D materials

CVDCVTExfoliationFlake transferHeterostructure stackingTwisted bilayersMoiré physics

Microscopy & spectroscopy

AFMMFMSEMTEM / HRTEMEDSRamanXPSFTIR

Devices & transport

NanolithographyProbe stationMOKEPPMSSQUIDDown to 1.5 K

Synthesis

Solid-state reactionArc meltingZone furnaceMagnetron sputteringPLD

Structure

XRDXRRNeutron diffractionRietveld refinement

Computation

PythonFortranMonte CarloLabVIEWFullProfVESTAOriginLaTeX

Honours & Service

Awards

  • J.B. Joshi Endowment Innovation Award 2025, HBNI
  • Best Thesis Award 2024, SINP
  • CSIR–UGC NET (JRF and Assistant Professor), 2019
  • JEST (PhD) and GATE 2019; WB-SET 2018
  • Certificate of Merit, National Top 1%, IAPT 2017

Fellowships

  • Senior Research Fellowship, DAE, 2021–2024
  • Junior Research Fellowship, DAE, 2019–2021
  • DST Fellowship, 2017–2019
  • INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE), 2014–2017

Conference posters

  • First DAE Conclave 2024, NISER Bhubaneswar
  • Symposium on Magnetism and Spintronics 2024, IIT Bombay
  • Quantum Condensed Matter 2023, NISER Bhubaneswar
  • 67th DAE Solid State Physics Symposium 2023
  • 66th DAE Solid State Physics Symposium 2022

Mentoring

  • Trained M.Sc./M.Tech. students and Junior Research Fellows
  • Sputtering, XRD/XRR analysis, SQUID magnetometry, PPMS transport