Two students are being sought for a PhD study on the development of the superconducting RF harmonic cryomodules for the Electron Ion Collider (EIC) being constructed in New York, US. The electron ion collider is a large particle accelerator that will, collide electrons with protons and nuclei to produce snapshots of those particles' internal structure. Part of that machine is an energy recovery linac to reduce the transverse spread in the proton beam, driven by two frequencies of RF, 591 MHz and 1773 MHz. The 1773 MHz system will be designed and constructed by a collaboration of Lancaster University, Daresbury Laboratory and Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory. The two students will join an internationally leading team of experts on one of the world’s most exciting engineering projects. The students will also be joining the Cockcroft Institute and will take part in a world leading PhD training program on particle accelerators.
The RF system is made of a superconducting radiofrequency cavity, operating at a temperature of 4.2 K, and a cryostat to support and cool the cavity to that temperature.
The first PhD student will design the RF structure, including all RF couplers, and then work with industry to manufacture those cavities before testing them at high field. Due to the high beam currents the students will perform critical research in the use and impedance management of high frequency ERL cavities. The project will involve working with state-of-the-art cryogenic test facilities only available at a few locations internationally. The student will initially be based at Lancaster to learn about RF and accelerators before moving to Jefferson Laboratory in Virginia, US to work with the US team to design and build the final cavity. Final testing will either be at Jefferson Lab or Daresbury Laboratory. The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second class degree in in physics, electronics or nuclear engineering and should have a good understanding of electromagnetism.
The second PhD student will design the cryomodule to house the cavity, considering thermal effects including heat transport, stress and deformation when cooled to cryogenic temperatures as well as manufacturing, quality management and cryogenics. They will initially be based at Daresbury Laboratory to work with the mechanical engineers based there and will also spend an extended period at Jefferson Laboratory to study existing cryomodule designs for the other EIC cavities. The applicant will be expected to have a first or upper second class degree in in mechanical engineering or similar.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Prof Graeme Burt ([Email Address Removed]) for more information. This position will remain open until filled.
Continue with Facebook
