JOB DESCRIPTION:
The High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) Division at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center has an opening for a Postdoctoral Associate. The successful candidate will split their time between developing a neutron spectrometer for diagnosing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments at the Z-facility at Sandia National Laboratory and designing charged-particle spectrometers for the Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) company Focused Energy (FE). On the ICF side, this will include the development of a conceptual design of a Magnetic Recoil Spectrometer (MRS) to be used for simultaneous measurements of fusion yield, areal density, and ion temperature. On the IFE side, this will include two primary efforts in collaboration with MIT graduate students and FE. First, design an electron spectrometer that will be used to study and mitigate laser-plasma interactions in relativistic laser-plasma interaction experiments. Second, conduct a feasibility study by exploring various concepts of compact proton spectrometers compatible with moderate repetition rate operations. In addition, the successful candidate may also contribute to other projects within the Division as needed. Research findings are expected to be reported in scientific publications and conference presentations.
The HEDP Division has a long history of exploring HEDP and ICF physics using experimental and theoretical methods. Experiments are currently being performed at the OMEGA laser at University of Rochester, the NIF laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and the Z-machine at Sandia National Laboratory using a suite of nuclear and x-ray diagnostics developed and implemented by MIT and its collaborators. These diagnostics are used to probe spatial and temporal variations in an ICF implosion through spectral, temporal, and imaging measurements of fusion products and x-rays. These measurements are being used to study a wide variety of physics processes and issues such as implosion dynamics and performance, the relationship of implosion symmetry to laser drive symmetry, the relative timing of the shock and compression phase, charged-particle transport and heating, ion-ion and ion-electron relaxation physics, kinetic and multi-ion effects and their possible impact on ignition designs, and the accuracy of various hydrodynamic and ion-kinetic simulations. Other HEDP experimental work at OMEGA and NIF involves nuclear astrophysics, magnetic reconnection, plasma jets, and hydrodynamic instabilities in plasmas. Theoretical work is also being conducted in the area of slowing down and transport of ions and electrons in high-energy-density plasmas. In addition, the Division has recently expanded its activities into the area of IFE and is now collaborating with a few IFE private companies. For more information about the HEDP Division, see https://www-internal.psfc.mit.edu/research/hedp/index.html.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate must have a PhD in plasma physics, nuclear physics or closely related science and engineering discipline; proficiency in programming for scientific analysis; and the ability to communicate effectively and work in a dynamic and diverse team environment with MIT staff and students and collaborators from other universities, partner laboratories and private sector. A strong experimental background in ICF, HEDP or nuclear physics experiments, diagnostics, and/or modeling is preferred.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: