PhD finished !
Modern nuclear physics makes extensive use of exotic particle beams created using accelerators, such as unstable ion isotopes and antiprotons. These give access to a wide range of fundamental studies that are at the cutting edge of science.
The commissioning and operation of these accelerators require powerful beam diagnostic devices that are specially adapted to these unusual, and often very faint, beams.
In his PhD project Alejandro Sosa has developed advanced beam diagnostics for the future superconducting linear accelerator at the High Intensity and Energy Isotope Separator On-Line Device (HIE-ISOLDE) at CERN. This facility shall deliver stable and unstable isotope beams ranging from Helium to Radium at beam energies between 0.3 and 10 MeV/u and intensities from few particles per second up to 1 nA.
In particular he has developed purpose-built monitors for the measurement of the absolute beam current, transverse beam profiles, beam position, and emittance. He has also carried out studies into a Secondary Emission Monitor (SEM) for the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) facility.
His PhD thesis presents a comprehensive study into advanced diagnostics for exotic ion beams and has been accepted by his examiners earlier this week. Following on to his work in the QUASAR Group, Dr. Sosa is currently working as Postdoc at Fermilab in the USA.
Congratulations, Dr. Sosa !
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