The Centre for Atomic and Molecular Physics (CAMP), Manipal University is an advanced centre for basic research and teaching. The centre will soon be a hub of basic research in a broader area of atomic and molecular physics consisting of ultra-fast phenomena in atoms and molecules, light matter interactions, optics and quantum electronics, condensed matter physics, nano physics and nuclear physics.

The Centre for Atomic and Molecular Physics launched its first academic programme in 1/09/09 by offering an M.Sc Photonics course to meet the national and international needs of expertise in Photonics. It has also started a PG diploma course in Photonics and a Certificate Course in Industrial and Medical Application of Lasers from academic year 2009. The centre (formerly called as Centre for Laser Spectroscopy) has already undertaken several government and industry funded research programmes in the area of laser spectroscopy and its applications in photonics and biophotonics.

Presently, the centre is located in the fourth floor of Manipal Life Science Centre, Manipal University, Manipal. Very soon it will be moving to its permanent location in MIT Campus. There are three permanent and one adjunct faculties working in the centre. Faculties from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG), Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore, and Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS), Mumbai visit CAMP throughout the year and teach advanced postgraduate courses.

History:

A centre for advanced research in laser spectroscopy for biomedical application in Manipal was initiated in 1997 when Prof. M.S. Valiathan was the Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) (now Manipal University). The Centre for Laser Spectroscopy was established in April 1997 and Dr. V.B. Kartha, FNA, FNASc, was the head till 31st March, 2004. During the last 10 years the centre has developed into a full-fledged laboratory where basic and applied research is progressing in the area of laser spectroscopy and biophotonics.

The centre has very active research collaboration with the Atomic and Molecular Physics of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Manipal University has signed an MoU with TIFR for joint research collaboration to promote basic research in the campus. An ultra-fast laser laboratory is being set-up in association with TIFR.

CAMP has active collaboration with many research institutes across India. Names of the research institutes are following

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
• UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai University
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
• Raja Rammna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
• Raman Research Institute, Bangalore