Prof Graeme Burt
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
The need to control borders has led to a rapid growth in the use of X-ray cargo imaging at ports, airports and rail depots. Many projects inspired by high energy physics (HEP) have led to rapid developments in detector technology. This, however, has not been accompanied by accelerator development, which has resulted in many of these detectors developments not being utilised. Furthermore, security applications require linacs with higher repetition rates, shorter bunches and longer macropulses, which currently don’t exist commercially. The linacs used in security are also used for radiotherapy. Currently 50% of the worlds population do not have sufficient access tio radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer, mostly in low or middle income countries. Lancaster are currently developing new radiotherapy machines that will either be cheaper or easier to repair than existing machines to help improve access.
With new RF design methodologies and techniques employed in high gradient accelerators and existing RF sources, such a linac could be realised in parallel with electron gun development.
A PhD student is required to design a next-generation linac suitable for the needs of Rapiscan to meet the requirements of their current imaging needs, as well as for radiotherapy in low income countries.
The Cockcroft has an existing linac test facility suitable for novel linac and detector development. The student will also help commission and operate this facility, as well as performing characterization of the beam to aid future experiments.
The Cockcroft Institute - a collaboration between academia, national laboratories, and industry led by Lancaster University - brings together the best scientists and engineers to conceive, construct and exploit particle accelerators of all sizes, and to lead the UK’s participation in flagship international facilities.
For more information contact: Dr. Graeme Burt ([Email Address Removed]).
http://www.engineering.lancs.ac.uk/
Funding Notes
We are offering a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentships (for UK nationals) with a strong industry focus in collaboration with Rapiscan systems as part of the Accelerator for security, healthcare and environment doctoral training centre in collaboration leading industrial partners, a including 3-6 months’ work placement. Students will receive additional training in skills relevant for industry to aid employability on completion. Our 50+ PhD students work in a vibrant community spanning fundamental science to practical application.
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