Consultant - Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's Major Programme 2, \"Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection\". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme's objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.

The Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.

The Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA's water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

Main Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical expertise to the NAPC Isotope Hydrology Laboratory in the first phase of the construction of an IAEA ATTA system appropriate ultra-trace analysis of Kr-81 and Kr-85 in environmental samples, supporting groundwater dating and environmental tracer studies.

The consultant would be responsible for the construction of the discharge source, frequency-stabilised laser system with an associated metastable excitation system, integration of the magneto optical trap and to demonstrate successful initial atom trapping. Initial validation of the integrated system using stable krypton isotopes (at a minimum Kr-84 or Kr-82, but with the sensitivity required for Kr-81 or Ar-39) would be required to demonstrate key functionalities.
 

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Build and test an appropriate LN₂-cooled discharge source
• Integrate transverse cooling and evaluate beam flux using fluorescence
• Demonstrate frequency-stabilisation of the laser system
• Construct the magneto-optical trap (MOT)
• Integrate the laser and MOT with the metastable excitation system
• Demonstrate trapping a single major isotope, which should at a minimum be Kr-84 or Kr-82 but demonstrates sufficient sensitivity to trap Kr-81 or Ar-39.
• Write a final report with test results on phase 1 and provide recommendations for phase 2 of the ATTA development, specifically addressing the required steps to enable systems improvements to facilitate trapping of Kr-81 and/or Ar-39.
 

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced university degree (preferably PhD) in physics or related field.

Minimum of five years of working experience in academic institutions or analytical laboratories.

Knowledge of stabilization of laser systems.

Experience with magneto optical traps.

Familiarity with ATTA systems.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 250, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.