Inspire
Location
Europe | United Kingdom
Job description
Job description:
Project description: The plasma source is one of the key components in any plasma-based accelerator. It plays the most important role in determining the quality of the beam from novel plasma accelerators. Recently, research and development into the discharge-based plasma source have attracted great interest worldwide due to their intrinsic properties. An initiative has been created at the University of Manchester as a partner of the Cockcroft Institute of Accelerator Science and Technology. A high-voltage discharge circuit is being developed and we are seeking a strong candidate to work on a variety of its aspects including fluid dynamics simulations, full system design and integration including the capillary target and the high-voltage circuit, plasma diagnostics, and in-house commissioning of the system.
Capillary plasma sources can sustain much longer plasmas and hence have a potential for scalability. Moreover, they enable the formation of parabolic plasma channels allowing high-power laser propagation in plasmas for multiple Rayleigh lengths with constant spot size under certain matching conditions. This is crucial, for example, to achieve a reasonable interaction length for laser-driven plasma applications. Before parabolic density correlation occurs in a capillary-based target at a specific time, the transverse plasma profile starts evolving after a slow discharge. Channel formation is achieved through the characterisation of the radial density evolution of the plasma as a function of time and discharge circuit properties. This can be simulated using fluid dynamics codes such as USIM or OpenFoam.
The aim of this Ph.D. project is to develop a complete numerical model using OpenFoam and PLUTO (an open-source Euler magnetohydrodynamic code to simulate the ionisation process widely ignored so far) for spatiotemporal characterisation and optimisation of capillary-based discharge source set up. The student will be taking a leading role in modeling, optimising, assembling, and characterising this advanced capillary discharge plasma source for the planned experiment on the CLARA FEBE facility at the Daresbury Laboratory, the UK’s leading accelerator research laboratory.
Qualifications applicants should have/expect to receive: The successful candidate will spend most of his/her time at the Cockcroft Institute near Warrington, working with STFC Daresbury Laboratory researchers and supervisory team members. The successful candidate will have or expect to obtain a first or upper-second-class degree or equivalent (e.g. MPhys, MSci) in physics or material science.
Funding and eligibility: The project will be funded by a research grant from the University of Manchester for 3.5 years. A full package of training and support will be provided by the University of Manchester and the Cockcroft Institute. Self-funded overseas students may apply. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
How to apply: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply/.
This position will remain open until filled.
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