IIA Library Highlights: Celebrating Global Recognition in Solar Physics
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Library is proud to share a moment of immense pride for the Indian astronomical community. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recently announced its 2025 PhD Prize Honourable Mentions, celebrating exceptional doctoral thesis work from across the globe. Dr. Raveena Khan, who received an Honourable Mention from IAU Division E (Sun and Heliosphere) for her innovative work in solar physics, is one of the notable researchers honoured this year.
Advancing Solar Physics: The Award-Winning Thesis of Dr. Raveena Khan “Diagnostic Techniques and Instrument Concepts for Probing Transition Region and Coronal Magnetic Fields” is the title of the PhD thesis that Dr. Khan finished in India. Mapping and comprehending the magnetic fields of the solar corona and transition region is one of the most difficult problems in solar physics.
Key Highlights of the Research:
- Innovative Diagnostics: The thesis advances our understanding of coronal magnetic fields by developing Hanle-effect-based Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectropolarimetry.
- New Milestones: It successfully identifies new Hanle-sensitive coronal lines.
- Advanced Modeling: Using MHD-based (magnetohydrodynamic) forward modeling, the research demonstrates that EUV linear polarization is orders of magnitude stronger than Zeeman signals.
- Instrumentation: Dr. Khan introduced a novel three-mirror EUV spectropolarimeter design, validated through meticulous laboratory prototyping, which paves the way for realistic vector magnetic field measurements of the solar corona.
Dr. Khan is currently continuing her research career and is employed in the USA.
The IIA Library extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Raveena Khan and all the honorees for their remarkable contributions to pushing the boundaries of astrophysics!
For those interested in reading further, the official announcement can be found on the IAU News Portal
