We are realising a clock based on highly charged ions of Californium to look for variations of the fine structure constant α. Essentially every model of physics beyond the Standard Model (or “new physics” models) predicts or allows variations of fundamental constants. We are seeking individuals who have experience and a genuine interest in experimental ion cooling and trapping. The successful candidate will join the Quantum System group at the University of Birmingham and lead the lab activities towards the realization and characterization of a Californium highly charged ion clock. The successful candidate will be in charge of building some parts of the machine, these include a cryogenic vacuum system, a cryogenic Paul trap and the laser system to laser cool Ca+ ions. The Ca+ are needed to sympathetically cool the HCIs. Experience with trapping and cooling of Ca+ ions is desired. The successful candidate is expected to realise crystals of Ca+ ions and demonstrate cooling and trapping of Californium highly charged ions. The project benefits from the collaboration of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg and the QSNET consortium that includes the Imperial College London, the University of Sussex, the National Physical Laboratories and several national and international partners. The successful candidate is also expected to play an active role in the interaction with the other institutes.
We are realising a clock based on highly charged ions of Californium to look for variations of the fine structure constant α. Essentially every model of physics beyond the Standard Model (or “new physics” models) predicts or allows variations of fundamental constants. We are seeking individuals who have experience and a genuine interest in experimental ion cooling and trapping. The successful candidate will join the Quantum System group at the University of Birmingham and lead the lab activities towards the realization and characterization of a Californium highly charged ion clock. The successful candidate will be in charge of building some parts of the machine, these include a cryogenic vacuum system, a cryogenic Paul trap and the laser system to laser cool Ca+ ions. The Ca+ are needed to sympathetically cool the HCIs. Experience with trapping and cooling of Ca+ ions is desired. The successful candidate is expected to realise crystals of Ca+ ions and demonstrate cooling and trapping of Californium highly charged ions. The project benefits from the collaboration of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg and the QSNET consortium that includes the Imperial College London, the University of Sussex, the National Physical Laboratories and several national and international partners. The successful candidate is also expected to play an active role in the interaction with the other institutes.
