This PhD project provides excellent opportunities for cutting edge research into beam diagnostics. The project will be based at world-class institutions in the UK and Germany and you will be given opportunities to spend significant time in both countries.
Transverse beam profiling is a basic diagnostic for accelerator operation and optimization. There are a number of established methods based on secondary electron monitor (SEM) grids as well as beam induced fluorescence (BIF) exist for this measurement. However, with increasing beam intensity and more advanced beam dynamics concepts in high intensity linacs, the suitability of these methods is under question. Fundamentally, they are limited as they provide only 2-dimensional projections of a beam. In addition, the resolution of the measured profiles have limitations due to space charge effects or technological limitations.
In this PhD project you will explore optical transition radiation as a replacement for traditional methods. Specifically, you will build a theoretical model and understanding of optical transition radiation from un-processed metal targets. Unprocessed targets are “rough surfaces” with respect to optical wavelengths. You will then carry out experiments at the X2 beamline at GSI’s UNILAC accelerator and the K-130 cyclotron at the University of Jyväskalä to verify your models.
This will allow identifying the relative contribution of OTR photons with respect to other photon inducing processes such as beam-induced fluorescence in the given energy regime. In a next step, you will compare the transverse profiles obtained using OTR with more traditional diagnostics. Studies into different target materials and surface structures to mitigate e.g. heating effects will complement this work.
This project is funded for full 48 months. You will spend years 1 and 4 in the UK where you will get the opportunity to follow the Cockcroft Institute’s comprehensive postgraduate training program in accelerator science, complemented by data science training within our centre for doctoral training for innovation in data intensive science.
You will be based at GSI/FAIR in Germany during years 2 and 3 where the focus will be on experimental studies. Whilst in the UK, a standard UKRI PhD stipend will be paid, during the time at GSI, the usual local PhD student support will be paid. A mandatory 6-months industry placement will complement the exciting training within the project.
For any enquiries please contact Prof Carsten P Welsch on: [Email Address Removed]
To apply for this opportunity, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/ and click on the 'Ready to apply? Apply now' button. Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: PPPR018 - Optical transition radiation diagnostics for low energy ion beams.
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