Job Description

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 1-year contracts at the .

Project Title: Beyond-lead lamellar perovskite-based nano-scintillators [ARC 2/21 RSR (MOE-T2EP50121-0012)]

Project Introduction: Detecting and imaging with high energy radiation rely on scintillators, typically costly crystals grown slowly in high-temperature furnaces. Lead-based perovskite materials with the advantages of solution processability are presenting as a long-sought low-cost alternative; however, their performance has not yet reached the conventional crystals, and certainly there is a concern about lead for practical applications. In this proposed research, we will study beyond-lead lamellar perovskite structures for scintillation applications. The hypothesis is that replacing lead by some heavy cations can maintain the excellent stopping power for ionization radiation and enhance the conversion efficiency from high energy radiation to visible luminescence. The main objectives of the project are (i) to develop new materials for large-area scintillators based on a lamellar halide perovskite system; (ii) to deepen our understanding of these materials\' scintillation mechanisms and light emission under X- and gamma-ray excitation; and (iii) to control the light extraction with photonic approaches for applications in science, industry, and spectroscopic imaging. The project aims to optimize the composition of lamella perovskite materials with heavy metal cations for excellent scintillating performance, and nanophotonic structures are exploited to extracting the scintillation photons. Finally, the best material and the optimum photonic structure are utilized to realize a large scintillating panel for technology demonstration. The large-area high-performance scintillating panel will demonstrate the potential of novel X-ray imaging devices, providing impetus to various application areas.

The Research Fellow hired for this project at NIE will work on X-ray excitation to perform X-ray excited luminescence, afterglow, thermoluminescence, pulsed X-ray decay, and radiation hardness measurements. The Plasma Radiation Source Lab of NIE will optimize and upgrade their 2kJ dense plasma focus (DPF) device-based intense pulsed X-ray source to repetition mode with at least 1-3 Hz operation. The pulsed X-ray yield will be optimized for different filling gases to tune a wide range of X-ray wavelengths. X-ray imaging will also be performed at NIE, making use of the already present facilities.

Requirements for Research Fellow Position

Essential

• A PhD in Physics or Engineering with a strong background in pulsed power systems, and plasma/x-ray diagnostics.
• Strong experience in handling vacuum system, high voltage (15 kV) and high current (200-300 kA) systems.
• Strong experience in development, operation and optimization of plasma focus device and associated diagnostics particularly the x-rays (yields and imaging).
• Strong experience in neutron and gamma radiation measurements from plasma focus device.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with evidence of proven writing skills from research papers and research reports.
• At least 5-year of experience with pulse power systems and more specifically if possible, on plasma focus device.

Preferred

• Good knowledge of high-voltage high-current and radiation safety issues
• Good organizational skills
• Able to work within given deadlines with an eye for details
• Able to work independently with minimum supervision
• Able to supervise Ph.D. candidates

Responsibilities

• Operationalize and optimize NX2 (repetitive) dense plasma focus device (DPF) to 1-3 Hz operation
• Optimize x-ray, gamma and neutron production for NX2 DPF device
• Carry out X-ray excitation experiment on lead-free perovskite detectors to perform X-ray excited luminescence, afterglow, thermoluminescence, pulsed X-ray decay, and radiation hardness measurements
• Measure the pulsed X-ray yield for different filling and different type of gases to tune a wide range of X-ray wavelengths.
• Perform X-ray imaging using lead-free large area perovskite detectors
• Other duties as assigned by PI/Head.

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE

Nanyang Technological University