Description of the thesis topic

The aim of this instrumental PhD project in space plasma physics is twofold: (i) on the one hand, to contribute to the space exploration of Mercury as well as Jupiter and its icy moons by preparing and/or contributing to the scientific exploitation of the so-called 'mutual impedance probe' instruments on board the BepiColombo and JUICE space missions, with the aim of carrying out diagnostics (e.g. density and temperature) of plasmas that will be explored by these space missions;
(ii) to contribute to the development of a measurement instrument combining, within a single common instrumental device, different complementary in situ diagnostic methods for density and temperature in space plasmas, based on the use of electrical sensors, for use on future space missions.

To carry out this space physics instrumental research project, the PhD student will use a triple and complementary methodology based on :
- numerical modelling to develop instrumental models,
- space data analysis from planetary exploration missions,
- laboratory experiments, using a plasma chamber that reproduces the conditions encountered in space plasmas.

The PhD student will contribute directly to various planetary exploration space missions. In particular, he/she will
- take part in the scientific exploitation of the first data obtained by the RPWI/MIME mutual impedance probe on board the JUICE space mission (ESA space mission aiming to explore the environment of Jupiter and its icy moons) during its cruise phase towards Jupiter,
- prepare the future exploitation of data from the BepiColombo space mission (ESA/JAXA mission aiming to explore the environment of Mercury) by developing an instrumental model of the PWI/AM2P mutual impedance probe embarked on the BepiColombo Mio probe,
- contribute to the design and ground testing aspects of the COMPASS/MIX mutual impedance probe proposed for the M-MATISSE space mission project (ESA mission to study the induced magnetosphere of Mars).

Prerequisites :
- A good knowledge of plasma physics and/or astrophysics is expected,
- a good working knowledge of data analysis and/or numerical development is desirable.

Work Context

The PhD will be carried out under the joint supervision of two laboratories: LPC2E (Orléans - PhD supervisor: Pierre HENRI) and LAPLACE (Toulouse - PhD co-supervisor: Gaëtan Wattieaux) in order to benefit from the mutual expertise of the two laboratories in astrophysics and plasma physics.

Located on the CNRS campus in Orléans, the Laboratoire de Physique et de Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E) is a space laboratory dedicated to the study of (1) the physical chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere and planetary environments; (2) Sun-Earth relations and space plasma physics; (3) astrophysics. It is supervised by the CNRS, the University of Orléans and the CNES. The laboratory employs around 80 people. The successful candidate will join the laboratory's ESPACE team, which is dedicated to the study of solar-terrestrial relations and space plasmas. The LPC2E has strong international expertise in space instrumentation, from the design to the production and implementation of instruments on board satellites for numerous space exploration missions (CNES, ESA, JAXA, NASA). Among these instruments, LPC2E is the world leader in space instruments known as 'mutual impedance probes', which measure density, temperature and electric fields in ionised space environments (space plasmas), used for the Rosetta (ESA), BepiColombo (ESA/JAXA), JUICE (ESA) and Comet Interceptor (ESA) space missions.

Located on the campus of Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, the Plasma and Energy Conversion Laboratory (LAPLACE) is supervised by the CNRS, the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INPT) and Paul Sabatier University. The research activities carried out at LAPLACE range from cold plasma physics, materials, electromagnetism and thermics to the innovative design and optimisation of complex energy production and conversion systems, with major long-term industrial and institutional partnerships in aeronautics and space, transport and on-board systems, energy, the environment and health. The laboratory employs around 300 people. The successful candidate will join the Reactive Plasmas Out of Equilibrium (PRHE) team, which works on the physics and engineering of non-equilibrium cold plasmas, as well as environmental and biomedical applications, via fundamental studies ranging from basic data to the multi-physics simulation of discharges and reactors and their experimental diagnosis. The PRHE team is heavily involved in plasma space instrumentation, in particular the 'mutual impedance probes' used for the Rosetta (ESA), BepiColombo (ESA/JAXA), JUICE (ESA) and Comet Interceptor (ESA) space missions.

The PhD will be carried out at Orleans and Toulouse .

Constraints and risks

n/a