Universal Polarization Student Research Assistant (On-site)

TRIUMF•Vancouver, BC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Discover TRIUMF, Canada's particle accelerator centre, and one of the world's leading laboratories for particle and nuclear physics and accelerator-based science. TRIUMF's diverse community of nearly 600 multidisciplinary researchers, engineers, technicians, tradespeople, staff, and students create a unique incubator for Canadian excellence, as well as a portal to premier global collaborations. Fueling innovation and improving lives, we are committed to accelerating discovery and shaping a better world. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to excellence and enhance our ability to create knowledge and opportunity for all. Together, we are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voices of our employees, students, partners, and the people and communities we serve. TRIUMF’s student program typically hires ~40 students each term from across all disciplines who hang together socially and professionally during the term, and beyond. Our program offers young minds a chance to gather, learn, make new friends, and have fun doing so during their time at TRIUMF. We hold weekly ProD sessions for students which include different activities such as conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and active listening. Additionally, we hold weekly seminars about the different experiments at TRIUMF, and these talks specifically cater to students. Located on the UBC campus makes it easier for students to make friends, create memories, and explore Vancouver all while working at TRIUMF. TRIUMF’s student program is more than just a place to work, its learning, memories, friendships, exploration, and development all clubbed into one. Come join us to see how we are working to unlock the mysteries of the universe and shape the future. Apply now and be part of our extraordinary journey. Learn more about the amazing research and work we do at TRIUMF. https://www.discoverourlab.triumf.ca http://www.rarestdrug.com Situated in the Isotope Separator and Accelerator Facility (ISAC) at TRIUMF, Canada’s Particle Accelerator Centre, the polarizer facility is one of the few in the world that can provide access to short-lived, highly spin-polarized beams of radioactive isotopes for investigating material properties, life science, nuclear structures, and fundamental symmetries. It has also served as a fast beam collinear laser spectroscopy beamline to study nuclear size, shape, and moments of exotic isotopes via precise measurements of isotope shifts and hyperfine structures. To meet the growing need for spin-polarized radioactive isotope beams at TRIUMF, we have proposed a universal polarization technique to indirectly polarize the radioactive isotopes of interest via a spin-exchange optical pumping method. The laser will optically pump alkali vapor atoms, such as Rb. The isotope beam will be sent through a long Rb cell and interact with spin-polarized Rb vapor atoms. The vapor as a medium will transfer the polarization of Rb atoms to the passing through isotopes. This method will greatly simplify the laser system to one setup and provide a universal method to laser polarize isotopes, especially for exotic isotopes with unknown atomic transition details. The student project will mainly focus on developing/optimizing a Faraday rotation setup to measure the polarization of the Rb vapor atoms being optically pumped by a 780nm Ti:Sa laser. By adjusting the properties of the polarizing laser (power and diameter) and the Rb cell temperature, the condition parameters that maximize the spin polarization of Rb vapor atoms will be found. The student will learn the physics of optical pumping and Faraday rotation. The student will learn to use continuous-wave Ti:Sa and Diode lasers and polarization optics. Depending on mutual interest, the work term can be extended. With the completion of the project, a Faraday rotation setup will be built, which allows the measurement of alkali vapor polarization. This will be the first step toward developing a universal spin-exchange optical pumping method. The universal method will significantly enhance the versatility of the polarizer facility and greatly expand the range of deliverable isotopes to Beta-NMR, OSAKA, MTV, and especially to GRIFFIN in the future.

Requirements

Undergraduate students in Physics.
Previous experience with lasers and optics will be an asset.
Must complete the TRIUMF in-house radiation safety training course and be designated as a TRIUMF Nuclear Energy Worker.
Optics
Physics
A resume/CV
A covering letter that includes your interest in and your qualifications for the specific position
A copy of academic transcript (unofficial copies are accepted)

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with lasers and optics

Responsibilities

Developing/optimizing a Faraday rotation setup to measure the polarization of the Rb vapor atoms being optically pumped by a 780nm Ti:Sa laser.
Adjusting the properties of the polarizing laser (power and diameter) and the Rb cell temperature to find condition parameters that maximize the spin polarization of Rb vapor atoms.
Learning the physics of optical pumping and Faraday rotation.
Learning to use continuous-wave Ti:Sa and Diode lasers and polarization optics.
Completing the TRIUMF in-house radiation safety training course and being designated as a TRIUMF Nuclear Energy Worker.