Missions

Based at the CNRS campus in Orléans at the ICARE laboratory, the candidate will have a primarily experimental role as part of the European HE MP2S (Modular Pulsed Propulsion System) project on low-power pulsed electric propulsion for satellites.
The first step will be to work with the company COMAT to apply electrostatic probe measurement techniques to determine the electron and ion properties of the discharge from the pulsed Magneto-Plasma-Dynamic (MPD) thruster developed as part of MP2S. The second phase will involve using high-frequency laser spectroscopy to measure the speed of ions in the plasma plume of the MPD thruster during a pulse.

Activités

The work proposed to the young researcher is mainly experimental in nature. It will involve applying laser (spectroscopy), optical (emission spectroscopy), and electrostatic (Langmuir probe, time-of-flight spectrometry) diagnostic techniques to measure the properties of the discharge and plasma plume of the MP2S pulsed MPD thruster and the temporal evolution of ion energy. The diagnostic tools, instruments, thruster, and vacuum chambers are available in the laboratory. However, the researcher will need to develop and validate a high-frequency (MHz) laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy system for measuring ion velocity. The system will use a continuous laser diode and will rely on a photon counting method.

Compétences

The candidate's profile must match the description of the research project.
The candidate must:
- Hold a PhD in physics.
- Have experience in plasma physics and/or physical diagnostics/measurements.
- Have knowledge of space propulsion.
- Have a good level of English, as the candidate will be required to interact regularly with foreign researchers
- Be able to work in a team
- Be able to fully engage in the project with a strong motivation for the proposed topic and, more generally, for the field of spacecraft propulsion
- Be intellectually curious, conscientious, and diligent

Contexte de travail

The CNRS ICARE laboratory in Orléans has around 80 staff, including 30 researchers and lecturers whose main areas of research are energy conversion, environmental chemistry, and space propulsion. The candidate will work in the laboratory's Electric Propulsion team, specifically on the European HE MP2S project coordinated by the French company COMAT. This project concerns MPD-type pulsed electric propulsion for satellites and probes.
The position is located in a sector pertaining to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore, in accordance with regulations, your arrival must be authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

The candidate will work mainly in Orléans with vacuum chambers, high-voltage pulsed power supplies, and plasma discharges. He will use laser diagnostics and electrical diagnostics to carry out his research.