Trainee in getter coating of complex mechanical geometries and characterization of cold-sprayed getter sources
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.
For the PSI Center for Accelerator Science and Engineering we are looking for a
Your tasks
The pressure in ultra-high vacuum UHV systems is primarily limited by outgassing from internal surfaces. Coating these surfaces with getter materials is an efficient method to reduce outgassing. Getter alloys provide a dual benefit: they bind residual gas molecules (pumping effect) and exhibit a low outgassing rate under particle bombardment.
Traditionally, getter materials are deposited onto the inner surfaces of long vacuum chambers via magnetron sputtering using Ti-V-Zr wires. However, for more complex geometries - such as the mechanical holders of permanent magnets in undulators - a magnetron sputtering head with Ti-Zr-V discs as targets is preferred.
During this internship, you will prepare getter targets by melting Ti, Zr, and V metals in an induction vacuum furnace. These targets will then be used in a sputtering chamber to coat various mechanical components destined for use in PSI's accelerator facilities.
Your tasks will include:
* Melting Ti, Zr, and V using an induction vacuum furnace to fabricate sputtering targets
* Coating undulator flexor keepers using the prepared targets in our sputtering facility
* Measuring and comparing the outgassing rates of the keepers, both coated and uncoated
If time permits (or in parallel with the tasks above), you will also characterize the activation properties of cold-sprayed Ti and Zr samples by monitoring surface oxygen content evolution using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
You will be expected to summarize your work in a brief report and present your findings to the team.
What you will learn
You will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technologies used to achieve ultra-high vacuum conditions. This internship offers the opportunity to work on both technical and experimental aspects, and to collaborate closely with experts across multiple fields of accelerator science, including vacuum technology, X-ray science, and control systems.
Your profile
* You are a student in engineering or physics, and you are at least in your ultimate year of undergraduate study (minimum 4 semesters)
* You are interested and motivated by innovation and technologies
* You like experimental work
* You have not yet completed your Master’s thesis
We offer
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. The contract will be limited to 3 months.
For further information, please contact Natalia Kirchgeorg, phone +41 56 310 45 52, or Dr Romain Ganter, phone +41 56 310 52 79.
Please submit your application online for the position as a trainee (index no. 8442- 25598).
Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Lara Essig, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
www.psi.ch
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