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Information for Prospective PhD Students
The Cockcroft institute is looking for bright and enthusiastic individuals with degrees in Physics, Engineering or Mathematics and with an interest in accelerator science and technology.
The PhD course will be registered at one of the participating Universities: Lancaster, Liverpool, or Manchester.
The research will be based either at the University or Cockcroft Institute and involves intensive international collaboration.
General Inquiries about PhD places should be made to phd@cockcroft.ac.uk
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Prospective students should apply by forwarding a CV and supporting materials to: Janis Davidson
General Information
Lancaster Engineering
Contact Dr. Amos Dexter
The Microwave Research Group in the Engineering Department at Lancaster offers a diverse range of PhD topics covering many aspects of particle accelerator research and development from Applied Physics to Electronic Engineering. Our work ranges from blue sky research to the development of cutting edge technology for the next generation of international particle accelerators. We can offer projects with either a theoretical and computational or an experimental basis, or a combination of both, to study new technologies and methodologies for particle acceleration and electromagnetic wave generation. Our extensive research portfolio crosses several research councils and has links with national and international companies.
Lancaster Physics
Contact Dr Jonathan Gratus
The Lancaster Mathematical Physics group is investigating the dynamics of ultra-relativistic charge in different electromagnetic field and confining environments, such as inside plasmas, RF cavities and collimators. Our current work focuses on exploring the dynamical behaviour of accelerating charged matter due to emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation. We aim to understand the fundamentals of the electromagnetic interactions with matter at high energy and how these impact on novel accelerator design. This work employs modern methods of differential geometry and geometrical approaches to partial differential equations. We are looking for enthusiastic applicants with a degree in mathematics or physics, and with a strong interest in theoretical physics or applied mathematics, to work with us in areas that include relativistic classical and quantum electrodynamics, stochastic and continuum mechanics, plasma and laser physics, spin dynamics, and numerical analysis.
Liverpool Physics
Contact Dr. Andy Wolski
A major area of work for the group is the study of beam dynamics and diagnostics in storage rings and other types of accelerator, aiming to achieve very high levels of beam quality and stability. Applications include performance upgrades and enhancements of circular colliders and third generation light sources, and damping rings for proposed linear colliders. Other important areas of work include the development, in collaboration with other partners in the Cockcroft Institute, of novel types of accelerator for medical and industrial applications. Possible topics that could be studied within the context of PhD studies address some of the latest problems in very high performance accelerators, and include:
- Development of novel beam-based analysis and tuning techniques to optimise the performance of colliders and light sources.
- Development of accurate and efficient computational tools for modelling beam dynamics in complex component configurations in accelerators.
- Development of diagnostics for beam measurements in challenging parameter regimes.
Manchester Physics
Contact Dr. Robert Appleby
The major work for the group is the study of the behaviour of particle beams in both linear accelerators and circular machines. In particular, the focus of our efforts lies in the area of the study of beam dynamics and optical design, and in the study of wake-field effects in accelerating structures and beam collimators. This research is being applied to current and future accelerator projects, including the International Linear Collider (ILC), the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC), and in the study of problems on the frontier of accelerator physics.
The following topics, although not limited to these areas, are available for PhD research in the group:
- The theoretical study of complex beam dynamics and the design, optimisation and practical realisation of accelerator and beamline systems. This includes the optical design of the accelerator systems for the ILC, CLIC and the LHC, and practical requirements on the machine hardware.
- Theoretical and experimental investigation of the charged particle-electromagnetic field interaction in the main accelerating cavities of the ILC and CLIC. In particular, the influence of both short-range and long-range wake-fields on beam dynamics are under study. The focus of the work is to maintain beam quality in the ILC and CLIC whilst the multi-bunch beam is accelerated through up to 44,000 superconducting cavities.
- The high electromagnetic field gradients required by the ILC and CLIC can readily result in electrical breakdown. Means of alleviating breakdown by novel cavity geometry re-design and cavity processing methods are under study.
- Study of wake-field effects in collimators at the ILC. We are undertaking a study of the simulation of higher order wakefield modes, and a comparison to experimental measurements.
- Physics and simulation of particle beam disposal dumps. The generation of electromagnetic showers results in the need for complex calculations of energy deposition, heating and radiation effects in modern particle beam dumps and collimators.
STFC ASTeC
Contact Dr. Susan Smith
The Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) undertakes a wide range of accelerator related R&D projects on behalf of STFC at both its Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. Major projects in direct support of development of new national and international facilities for scientific user exploitation are supplemented by more generic programmes of underpinning accelerator science and technology.
The work of ASTeC involves aspects ranging from advanced beam dynamics simulations through to state-of-art technologies. Most programmes are in collaboration with HEI teams and particularly close links have developed with the three Cockcroft Universities. As such ASTeC offers unique opportunities to PhD students from Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester from the start of their research careers to join world leading teams in a stimulating atmosphere, with access to international experts and to advanced experimental facilities. Examples of possible student participation are from a wide portfolio but include:
- A variety of beam dynamics simulation challenges, especially related to the physics of high brightness electron beams and including code development
- Commissioning and development of ERLP at Daresbury, Europe’s first Energy Recovery Linac experimental project
- Design studies on 4GLS, the proposed new UK national Light Source with its unique 4th generation features
- Development of advanced magnetics, radiofrequency and vacuum science technologies required by modern accelerator systems
- Research into specialised beam diagnostics instrumentation
Supervision of students would always involve Cockcroft university staff but might also be jointly with a member of ASTeC.
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Marie Currie PhD studentship in ultrafast optical clock distribution.
Contact Dr Steven Jamison for further details and to register an interestPhD Studentship in the Mathematical Physics of Accelerators.
Dr. Jonathan Gratus: Lancaster University
The mathematical physics group in the Cockcroft Institute and the department of physics, Lancaster University, have a PhD studentship available for October 2012. Current research techniques involve differential geometry, the theory of distributions, electrodynamics, relativity, multi-particle dynamics and relativistic plasma theory. These mathematical tools are being applied fundamental problems in accelerator science including beam dynamics, radiation reaction and laser-plasma-wakefield acceleration.
The student will develop their knowledge of these subjects during their PhD both via small group graduate tutorials and personal study. He or she will also participate in the Cockcroft postgraduate lecture program which provides both broad and detailed understanding of the physics of particle accelerators.
Funding notes: This is an STFC funded positions open to all UK citizens and members of the EU who have been resident in the UK for the last three years.
Novel positron sources with extreme intensities for future colliders / Innovative searches for exotic particles
Dr Ian Bailey : Lancaster University
The accelerator physics group at Lancaster University invites applications to fill a PhD studentship to support research work either in the field of high-intensity positron source design for future particle accelerators such as the proposed Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) project at CERN, or in the field of developing innovative techniques for searching for exotic particles such as the hypothetical axion. The latter work builds on the "light shining through a wall" (LSW) CASCADE experiment under development at the Cockcroft Institute in which precision measurements are to be made of the tunneling probability of photons through barriers. Both of these fields present substantial challenges requiring a blend of theoretical, computational and experimental work.The successful candidate will be based at the Cockcroft Institute and Lancaster University.
New metamaterials for advanced wave-beam interactions
R. R Letizia: Lancaster University
A PhD position is available in the Electromagnetic and Photonic Research Group at the Engineering Department of Lancaster University. Metamaterials offer today a unique way to engineer unusual electromagnetic properties for a whole range of new and exciting applications. Some of the ideas currently under investigations include double-negative media (DNG), artificial magnetic conductors (AMC), and electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) materials. Special emphasis is today directed towards the possibility to miniaturise conventional technologies by exploiting the frequency selectivity property of these composite materials. This project will particularly focus on the analysis of beam-wave interactions in metamaterials and how electromagnetic responses can be specifically designed to be exploited for advanced slow-wave and accelerating structures. The insertion of metamaterials in waveguides and resonant cavities will be studied both analytically and numerically for the modification of the structure dispersion relation and we hope it will lead to new ideas for unconventional designs for slow-wave and accelerating structures. It is anticipated that this work will benefit from the collaboration with experts in the field within both Lancaster and Cockcroft Institute.
Beam dynamics for the LHC luminosity upgrade
Dr R Appleby: Manchester University
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is a proton-proton collider with the goal of completing the standard model of particle physics. The Cockcroft Institute and the University of Manchester are involved in many aspects of the upgrade of the accelerator, and possible topics include:
- Beam dynamics and optics of the proton beams
- Beam dynamics of the crab cavities
- The machine-detector interface between the LHC machine and the LHCb experiment
- Novel and advanced proton collimation
Studies will generally involve theory, computer programming and application to a range of specific problems; and students should therefore have good mathematical, analytical and computational skills.
A willingness to collaborate and travel is also an advantage.
New Regimes of Beam Impedance Measurement and Simulation for LHC Collimators
Dr. R.M. Jones: Manchester University
In the frame of new beam collimator developments for the LHC at CERN, unconventional designs are under investigation. These designs put special emphasis on controlling and reducing the beam coupling impedance and if possible find practical ways for mitigation of this very serious problem. At present the beam dynamics are severely impacted by the impedance of the collimators and this research will have the potential to make a major impact on the LHC. Numerical, analytical and experimental work is required to get a complete picture of all electromagnetic aspects involved and also for mutual cross-check of results obtained by the different methods. This work will take place in close collaboration and discussion with collimator experts and beam dynamics specialists. It also involves consideration of new composite materials to be specially developed for this application. This exciting opportunity will entail research at CERN, CI and the University of Manchester. It is anticipated that there will also be the opportunity to participate in beam commissioning at the LHC.
You will be supervised by Dr. R.M. Jones (Univ. Manchester/CI), Dr. F. Caspers (CERN), Dr. E. Metral (CERN)
