Evaluate my SOP for pursing PhD in astrophysics

[gitikamall]

I am interested in pursuing my Doctoral studies in X-ray Astronomy. 

I was introduced to this field in the first semester of my M.Sc. programme, when I was looking for a subject of study for my thesis project. I started reading in detail about the field of study and some major science missions launched since the very first discovery of extraterrestrial X-rays. During the same time I familiarised myself with the methods of studying X-ray sources and the tools and techniques as explained by NASA’s HEASARC.I read on review papers and worked on my analysis skills by attempting to reproduce the results of thoroughly studied X-ray Binary systems. I started the literature survey on Neutron Star X-ray Binaries which were studied by RXTE and familiarised myself with the various spectral and timing characteristics observed. The initial idea for my thesis work was to conduct a long term study on a few such sources to understand the development in their behaviour over the years of operation of the RXTE mission.

It was during this time when I attended a workshop on India’s first multiwavelength satellite ASTROSAT. After attending one such workshop where we were taught the nuances of comprehensive spectral analysis of ASTROSAT data, led by Professor Ranjeev Misra of IUCAA, my M.Sc. thesis work eventually was finalised to be on “SPECTRAL-TIMING ANALYSIS OF SWIFT J1658.2-4242 USING ASTROSAT DATA” where I worked with Dr. V. Jithesh at IUCAA. For this thesis, I then started to understand the literature of Black Hole X-ray Binaries, their spectral and timing characteristics and the association of them to the accretion process. 

With the other major missions like  XMM-Newton observatory, INTEGRAL, NICER, Chandra and SWIFT, I hope to get more insights on understanding the core physical processes taking place in an accretion disk and how it leads to the various features which we see.

I have been fortunate to be a part of a majorly X-ray driven workshop conducted between University of Southampton, UK and IUCAA, India where I got an opportunity to interact with doctoral, post-doctoral students and professors from India and UK who are pursuing their research in the same field. Some of those lectures were aimed on accretion processes, X-ray binary systems and timing analysis methods which motivated me to pursue my further education and a research career in this field.

Currently, I am working on AstroSat data analysis using LAXPC-SXT data where I have been performing comprehensive spectro-timing analysis using some standard analysis techniques established by well cited research papers under the guidance of Prof. Ranjeev Misra.

During the course of my M.Sc thesis and for the current project I have trained myself with various X-ray data analysis tools. The current project demands comprehensive use of those techniques to analyze the LAXPC-SXT data of galactic X-ray sources which add to my skills.

I believe that I am well suited for the Ph.D. position offered as my field of interests, skills and experience acquired by working on X-ray Astronomy suits it well. 

 

[Nandan]

I am no expert in astrophysics. However, looking at your SOP, I liked how you have succintly expressed your skills and experience, as well as how you gained an interest in the field. I have just one feedback. I feel you should also include some information about -

A] What you wish to achieve in your PhD program? It looks like you have just mentioned X-ray astronomy.  Is there any specific problem that you wouold like to study? Futher, it would be good if you include just a few lines about what have been the recent advancements in the field, and how do your research interests match with those advancements. Also, do include some information about some labs/professers at that particular university whose work resonates with your interests.

B] What are your plans after the PhD? How will a PhD degree help in achieving those plans