Welcome! I’m Shikha Rathi, a postdoctoral researcher at Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (LKB), CNRS in Paris and Technion, Haifa. My research focuses on X-ray spectroscopy of exotic atoms to probe QED, nuclear structure, and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.
I work across both theretical and experimental domains as they complement each other closely. Working on theoretical models allows me to better interpret experimental observations, while analyzing real data challenges and refines my theoretical understanding. I also enjoy the practical side of building and operating experimental setups, there’s a unique satisfaction in seeing a system you’ve helped assemble produce meaningful data. This integrated approach is what brought me to the collaborative environment of LKB and Technion, where researchers like Prof. Dr. Paul Indelicato and Prof. Ben Ohayon, repectively, work fluidly between theory and experiment.
Among the many projects I contribute to, one of the most fascinating is the PAX experiment at CERN’s Antimatter Factory. I spend most of my time at CERN. Read more about it here.
I obtained my PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. My research involved the calculation of atomic structure parameters like transition energies, rates and lifetimes for complex atomic species. The ions and the atoms we focus on are mostly relevant for plasma modeling and diagnosis. I also perform calculations of hyperfine structure, Lande gJ and isotope shift factors for highly charged ions and heavy atoms. I then expanded my knowledge to the astrophysical phenomena which require precise atomic data for spectral analysis.
Earlier, I worked with Prof. Sunil Krishna to study the Earth’s radiation belts dynamics under different solar storm conditions. We used ARASE satellite data to study the phenomenon.
To aggrandize my physics knowledge, I had worked (part-time) with Chegg India as an Advance Physics Subject Matter expert in 2017 – 2019.
Apart from my fascination with Physics, I like sketching, being physically active, and spending my spare time playing foosball, table tennis and pool. I’m gregarious, and I like hanging out with friends and travelling.
I look forward to collaborating with people in the field of Atomic and Nuclear Physics.