Missions

The recruited researcher will work under the supervision of an associate professor and will be assigned to the stud of a vacuum arc using optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry..

Activities

The aim of this post-doc is to support the team's experimental research. The recruited researcher will be involved in the following activities:
- Working in close collaboration with the associate professor
- Operate the MPD (magnetoplasmodynamic) thruster prototype in a vacuum chamber (150 L)
- Perform optical emission spectroscopy measurements
- Perform mass spectrometry measurement
- Perform electrical measurement (current, voltage)
- Process raw data to get qualitative (species identification : atoms, ions…) and quantitative (plasma temperature, density, ion energy) results
- Analysis and interpretation of results
- Take part to MP²S progress meetings
- Contribute to results communication: articles writing, presentation in international conferences.

The ScIPRA Team possesses the following tools: a 150 L vacuum chamber, a (VUV)UV/visible monochromator Isoplane with an ICCD Camera PI-Max4 (Ropper Scientific), a mass spectrometer HAL EQP 1000 (Hiden Analytica, voltage and current probes and oscilloscope Tektronix MSO 44. The MPD thruster will be provided by COMAT in January 2025.

Skills

This job requires a multidisciplinary expertise. The researcher should have :
- A Level : Bac +8 with experience in plasma physics
- Experience in plasma experimental study
- Knowledge required in following fields:
o Optical emission spectroscopy
o Electrical measurements
o Experimental data processing
- Appreciated knowledge :
o Mass spectrometry
o High speed imaging
o Vacuum technologies (10-5 millibar)
- Teamwork skills

Work Context

The LAPLACE team ScIPRA seeks a researcher for contributing to the study of a plasma thruster developed by COAMT in the frame of MP²S European project. ScIPRA team activities deal in particular with experimental study of thermal continuous or pulsed plasma, circuits breakers and space propulsion.
The project aims to develop a pulsed MPD (magnétoplasmic) thruster (TRL 5) aimed to be used on small satellites. The goal is to characterize the working mode in order to improve performances (ISP, thrust…). Work in ScIPRA Team will be dedicated to plasma study (temperature, species density, composition) using optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Measurements will be made for various positions in the plasma plume by moving the thruster along the electrodes axis, the setup allowing to scan plasma radial profiles. In additions, mass spectrometry will be used to identify and quantify ions energy. Diagnostics will be made for various time step after pulse start. Obtained results (plasma composition, density and temperature, ion energy) will be presented during project progress meeting and will be published on the project dedicated website (https://mp2s.eu/) as well as through scientific communication (conference, articles).

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

The recruited researcher could take part in meetings for a few days in France and Europe. Identified hazards include electrical risk, operation of a vacuum chamber and use of inert gases (Ar, N2…)

Additional Information

Website MP²S : https://mp2s.eu/
Website LAPLACE : https://www.laplace.univ-tlse.fr/