Hi, I’m Malvika, a quantum scientist, an artist, a photographer, a storyteller, and the curious soul behind magikmal.com!
As a child, I always wanted to know the “How’s” and “Why’s” of the universe, and I had plunged into the world of physics before I knew what the word “physics” meant. Over time, this curiosity turned into passion, a calling, a career, and a way of living. Personally, my true purpose lies in finding things out, because that’s where the magik is..
Storytelling is a big part of who I am, I strive to spark curiosity in others and help them see the magik in the world. I’m not conventional, and I never meant to be. I just want to share my passion, my perspective, whether its right side up or beautifully the upside down.
My Magikal Mantras
I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious
A powerful Einstein’s quote that stuck with me. You don’t need to be born with exceptional abilities, you just need to have deep curiosity and an intense desire to understand the universe. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”
It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you
This one’s from Batman begins. We all have three versions of ourselves, who we think we are, who others think we are, and who we truly are. Our actions are what bring these versions together, showing us who we really are!!
The question is “Are you mad enough?”
Do you have the intensity, drive, passion, obsession to pour all of yourself into what you want?
Do you dare to go further than your comfort zone?
My work at a glance
- J. Ramanathan, M. Garikapati, I. Jalata, C. Kadrollimath, P. Mahamuni, D. Hoffman, P. Satyanand, N. Vrahoretis, Y.M. Sua, and Y. Huang, “Material recognition using single photon vibrometer,” Opt. Express 33, 27003-27013 (2025)
- M. Garikapati, S. Kumar, H. Zhang, Y. M. Sua, Y. Huang, “Programmable spatiotemporal quantum parametric mode sorter,” Phys. Rev. Appl. 19, 044070 (2023) Editor’s suggestion.
- M. Garikapati, J. Ramanathan, Y.M. Sua, Y. Huang, “Video-rate voxel scanning LiDAR,” Opt. Continuum 4, 14-22 (2025)
- Z. Ma, J.-Y. Chen, M. Garikapati, Z. Li, C. Tang, Y. M. Sua, and Y. Huang, “Highly efficient and pure few-photon source on chip”, Phys.Rev. Appl. 20, 044033 (2023).
- S. Kumar, M. Garikapati, H. Zhang, Y. M. Sua and Y. Huang, “Spatiotemporal quantum parametric mode sorter,” 2022 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), 2022, pp. 1-2.
- S. Kumar, H. Zhang, P. Kumar, M. Garikapati, Y. M. Sua, and Y. Huang, “Spatiotemporal mode-selective quantum frequency converter,” Phys. Rev. A 104, 023506 (2021)
- A. Shahverdi, Y. M. Sua, I. Dickson, M. Garikapati, and Y. Huang, “Noise tolerant LIDAR via mode selective up-conversion detection,” in Frontiers in Optics / Laser Science, OSA Technical Digest, paper JTu3A.8.