Physics - Feasibility Studies of Retarding Potential Energy Analyzer (R.P.E.A.) Design for Low Energy Antimatter Research.
Supervisor: Dr Bharat Singh Rawat
Supervisor bio:
Bharat Singh Rawat graduated with a Bachelor’s of Engineering (B.E) in Mechanical Engineering from Gujarat Technological University in 2013 and Master’s of Technology (M.Tech) in Nuclear Engineering from Pandit Deendayal Energy University in 2017.He designed and developed a high power faraday cup as a part of his Master’s thesis for an accelerator based neutron source at Institute for Plasma Research under the National Fusion Program fellowship. He undertook one- month internship at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) in 2017 for a short project on electron beam based plasma source. He briefly worked for Nuvia India Pvt Limited as a Radiation Protection Engineer in 2018 for EMCCR project at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station.
In 2018, he started his PhD with Homi Bhabha National Institute with a DDFS fellowship and joined the Positive Neutral Beam group at Institute for Plasma Research to carry out his PhD research. His work focused on the studies on extraction of ion beam and its transport from a multicusp gridded ion source. He designed and developed a broad beam (D=11cm) ring cusp ion source capable of producing Ar+ ion beam upto 2keV and beam currents upto 100mA. The work involved primary electron confinement studies with different magnetic cusp configurations using CST studio, development of a two grid multiaperture extraction system which included beam extraction simulations using OPERA-3D and thermostructural simulations using ANSYS.
He also designed and developed an eleven channel faraday cup array for measuring the beam profiles/divergence and total beam current at different axial locations. In order to estimate the beam profiles very close to the ion source he developed a nine channel fixed wire array. Several other developed diagnostics include charge exchange probe, Langmuir probe and force probe.
Bharat joined the QUASAR Group as a Research Associate in April 2023. His responsibilities include conducting simulation studies to optimize beam transport from the low-energy ELENA ring to the AEgIS experiment, integrating beam and particle diagnostics efficiently, and developing schemes for trap injection, particle storage, and merging. He is currently focused on creating a Digital Twin of the experiment using tools such as G4Beamline, CST Studio, and MADX. Bharat has presented his work at various international conferences and collaboration meetings. In addition to his research, Bharat contributes to teaching by assisting the tutorial sessions for the accelerator physics course at the university. As a registered STEM ambassador, he actively engages in outreach activities, such as leading laboratory tours for students and presenting engaging and interactive experiments to the general public during open days.
Email: bharat26@liverpool.ac.uk
School: Physical Sciences
Department: Physics
Module code: PHYS001
Suitable for students of: Nuclear physics, Accelerator phyics, Experimental physics
Desired experience or requirements: Some idea about python or matlab would be benificial. Use of Geant 4 and Charge particle tracking software like CST or COMOL can be useful as well.
Places available: 1
Start dates: Session 1 (15th June 2026)
Project length: 8 weeks
Virtual option: Yes
Hybrid option: No
Project description:
Imagine being able to directly measure the energy of antimatter beams with high precision. Retarding Potential Energy Analysers (RPEAs) are powerful diagnostic tools widely used in accelerator/plasma physics for probing the energy distribution of charged particles.
In this project, we aim to push the boundaries of beam diagnostics by exploring the conceptual design of a next generation RPEA tailored for low energy antimatter beams (1–10 keV). Using state of the art simulation platforms such as CST Studio and G4Beamline/Geant4, we will evaluate prototype RPEA geometries, study beam collector interactions, and account for unique challenges such as secondary electron losses and antimatter annihilation effects.
If successful, the proposed diagnostic could enable high resolution, real time measurements of antimatter beam energy and current, making a way for transformative advances in antimatter experiments.
2. Objectives
This project focuses on understanding and minimizing charge losses during antimatter beam detection. Our specific goals are:
Survey collector materials using Monte Carlo simulations (G4Beamline/Geant4) for antiproton and positron impact.
Correlate charge losses with beam energy, geometry, and material properties.
Compute correction factors for different designs, enabling accurate energy/current measurements.
Design and optimize an energy-filtering grid using CST Studio, focusing on mesh thickness, electrode spacing, and transmission efficiency.
3. Methodology
The project will be executed through a simulation driven workflow:
G4Beamline Modelling – Simulating RPEA collectors, material interactions, and annihilation events.
Database Generation – Creating a structured dataset of energy loss vs. material, geometry, and beam parameters.
Grid Optimization – Designing energy-filtering grids in CST Studio, studying particle trajectories, and quantifying resolution.
Energy Distribution Analysis – Extracting the beam’s energy profile from simulations and validating the effectiveness of the diagnostic.
4. Expected Outcomes
A validated RPEA design capable of measuring antimatter beams with high energy resolution.
Charge loss correction factors, making results more accurate and reliable.
Optimized grid geometry that balances resolution with transmission efficiency.
5. Required Skills & Tools
Software: Python/MATLAB for data analysis.
Skills: Basic knowledge of accelerator physics, beam dynamics, and electromagnetism.
6. Impact & Future Scope
Developing a practical RPEA for antimatter beams would be a game changer in antimatter research. Such a device could provide:
A precision diagnostics energy and current measurement for low-energy antimatter experiments.
Possibility of a high impact journal publication, due to its novelty.
Additional requirements: N/A