Howdy!
Welcome to my corner of the internet.
I am a Ph.D. candidate in Physics at Texas A&M University, where I work at the intersection of quantum sensing, ultrafast photonics, and laser–matter interactions for fusion-energy research.
My projects include developing all-optical thermometry using Nickel and Germanium color centers and using ultrafast pulse lasers to study extreme light–matter dynamics of
Raman-shifted solitons.
I also serve as President of the Texas A&M OPTICA Student Chapter, In parallel, I mentor undergraduate researchers through the DEEP mentorship program.
Outside the lab, I’m part of the Aggie Magic Circle, where I blend science and storytelling to make science engaging and accessible.
I directed Unreal Reality, a science-and-magic stage production, and I love using illusion as a way to spark scientific curiosity.
When I’m not aligning optics or debugging magic, you’ll usually find me playing guitar or tabla, experimenting with music the same way I experiment in the lab: curiosity first, perfection second.
Publications
* Quantum-light probe for molecular femtosecond dephasing in dyes
T. Rajib, A. Dharmasiri, M. Pochechuev, X. Liu, G. S. Agarwal, A. M. Zheltikov. Physical Review A. Feb 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/2zpv-g7w2
* Laser-damage risk assessment with extreme-event statistics
A. Zheltikov, C. Menoni, A. Sokolov, Z. Yi, A. Dharmasiri, J. Rocca, J. Eden, M. Scully. Optics Express. Feb 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.585723
* High-resolution aberration-free imaging through GRIN fiber using speckle illumination and compressive sensing
M. Pochechuev, A. Dharmasiri, T. Rajib, A. M. Zheltikov. Optics Letters. Feb 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.585272
* Aerosol Detection and Characterization using Digital Inline Holography
P. Sahoo, A. Gonzalez, C. Garman, C. Meadlin, S. Schiller, A. Dharmasiri, M. Harlow, B. Vaidya, A. Verhoef, A. Sokolov. in Optica Imaging Congress 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/DH.2025.DTh1C.4
* Near-Infrared Optical Thermometry of Nickel Color Centers in Diamond
A. Dharmasiri, C. Vincent, T. I. Rajib, M. Pochechuev, X. Liu, A. J. Verhoef, P. Hemmer, A. M. Zheltikov. Optics Letters. Jan 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.544091
* Sensitivity and heat penalty in all-optical quantum thermometry with Germanium-vacancy color centers in diamond
A. Dharmasiri, C. Vincent, T. I. Rajib, M. Pochechuev, X. Liu, A. J. Verhoef, G. S. Agarwal, A. M. Zheltikov. Applied Physics Letters. 26 August 2024; 125 (9): 091102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0207531
* Preliminary Observation of Vibrational Resonances and Propagation Modes in Cold Atom Dissipative 3D Optical Lattices
A. Dharmasiri. 2019, Thesis: Master of Science in Physics, Miami University, Thesis link
* Investigation of the Adsorption Process of Hexavalent Chromium with Polyaniline/Coconut Coir Composite
A. Dharmasiri. 2017, Thesis: Master of Science in Physics of Materials, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Thesis link
Grants & Awards
Grants and awards include an APS minigrant as Principal Investigator, selection as a Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting young scientist, a Newton award, and induction into Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society.
