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Job Opportunity: Research Associate Position, Development of Quantum Calorimeters
LOCATION: NIST (Boulder, Colorado), Quantum Sensors Division (687), Quantum Calorimeters Group (12)
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION: The Quantum Calorimeters Group, situated at NIST Boulder and the University of Colorado-Boulder, seeks researchers to join a multiperson team developing cryogenic sensors for the detection and spectroscopy of single photons and particles. Cryogenic detectors provide unprecedented sensitivity and energy resolution for the detection of photons. We are developing novel low-temperature (100 mK) superconducting microcalorimeters for the detection of photons from X rays, gamma-rays, and other exotic particle decays. These devices, fabricated in our state-of-the-art clean room, consist of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs), thermal kinetic inductance detectors (TKIDs), and kinetic inductance current sensors (KICS). They are read out using unique high-speed, low-noise SQUID preamplifiers also designed and fabricated here. Using these devices, we have demonstrated the highest energy resolution achieved with an energy-dispersive x-ray and gamma ray detector and constructed the largest x-ray microcalorimeter built to date.
We are employing spectrometers built around these detectors for a variety of high-impact measurement applications, including the study of highly charged ions and exotic atoms at CERN and J-PARC, materials analysis and x-ray spectroscopy at synchrotron light sources, x-ray and gamma-ray astrophysics, radioactivity standards and x-ray fundamental parameter metrology for industry, 3D x-ray nanoprobe of circuits, and nuclear materials accounting and safeguards. Research opportunities include improving our understanding of the nonequilibrium superconducting processes underlying the performance of superconducting detectors, developing novel micromachined structures to enable larger detector arrays, developing and testing detector arrays, developing multiplexed superconducting integrated circuits for the readout of large arrays, and applying these detectors to challenging measurement problems in materials analysis, nuclear non-proliferation, astronomy, and metrology.
CONTACT: Dr. Daniel Swetz, daniel.swetz [at] nist.gov (daniel[dot]swetz[at]nist[dot]gov)
LINKS TO BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
LINKS TO SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES:
- Opportunities for US citizens only through the NRC postdoctoral fellowship:
- Opportunities for sensor development through the University of Colorado for both US citizens and foreign nationals: