TRIUMF
Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics
STUDENT JOB PROGRAM
Summer 2010 job posting
Job number TR10-2-4

Position Title:

TRIUMF Neutral Atom Trap for beta decay Student Research Assistant 

Name of Project:

TRIUMF Neutral Atom Trap for beta decay: Search for new interactions 

Overview:

We use laser trapping and cooling techniques to study beta-decaying isotopes. The pressure of laser light traps the radioactive atoms in a 1 mm-sized cloud. The daughter nuclei have very low kinetic energy, and would stop in ten atomic layers of material. But they freely escape the trap, and we can measure their momentum. If we do this in coincidence with the emitted electron, we can deduce the (otherwise invisible) neutrino momentum. This lets us do several unique experiments (see Behr and Gwinner, arXiv:0810.3942).

We are developing a trap with stable isotopes to spin-polarize the nuclei. Applying those techniques eventually to beta decay, we can measure the asymmetry in emission of neutrinos with respect to the spin, and test whether the neutrino helicity is always left-handed.

There may also be preparation work on vacuum systems for trapping the heaviest alkali atom, francium, which has no stable isotopes. Goals are atomic spectroscopy studies for its own sake, and parity-violating interactions in atoms to study the weak interaction.


Duties:

There are several separate tasks, and student duties will depend on interest and experience.
We will assemble and test a new ultra-high vacuum chamber to house detectors. We will then test our new atom trap techniques there. That will include a careful characterization of time-dependent magnetic fields, and measurements of the spin polarization produced in stable atoms by absorption of circularly polarized light.
In parallel, we will be testing and developing detectors for the low-energy ions and the electrons.


Skills learned during this work experience:

Ultra-high vacuum techniques, real-time control of electro-optical devices, laser spectroscopy, fast switching of magnetic fields, particle detectors.

Qualifications:

Physics or Engineering Physics student with at least 1 previous work term is strongly preferred. C or C++ programming skills, optics course and/or lab, and quantum mechanics coursework would be considered assets. Some electronics analysis and assembly experience would be useful.

Shiftwork required:

Yes

Period of work:

May-August 2010 with possible 4-month extension  
Salary is commensurate with academic progress and previous relevant work experience, and ranges from $ 2080 to $ 2800 per month plus 4% vacation pay.
TRIUMF pays round-trip airfare (this does not apply to Vancouver/Victoria students); for Vancouver Island students, TRIUMF will pay ferry costs.

TRIUMF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from all qualified undergraduate students as defined below:

  • Canadian undergraduate students or Canadian Permanent Resident undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited post secondary institution in Canada (or outside Canada) who are studying in a vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
  • Foreign full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level, and who are studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration, and who have a valid Canadian study permit which allows for employment off-campus, and who have applied for a Social Insurance Number
  • Foreign undergraduate students enrolled in a recognized undergraduate program of study abroad who have accepted, or are in the process of accepting, an "Invitation to Apply" for a work permit under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/apply.asp

Applications must be received at TRIUMF by 4:00pm Pacific time on 2010-01-25.

To apply for any of the job postings, you must submit one application for each and every job for which you wish to be considered. Please combine all documents into one PDF for each job. All applications can be attached to one email in PDF format. Please do not send electronic documents in formats other than PDF. Please save the PDF as lastname-job number (eg Smith-15.pdf)

    An application consists of a:
  • Covering letter
  • Resume
  • Transcript of all post secondary grades (unofficial copies are accepted)
  • in addition, an online application form must be filled out for each job
    Applications must also clearly indicate:
  • The number of academic terms completed (i.e. terms, semesters, or quarters)
  • The number of work terms completed (or the equivalent)
  • The TRIUMF Job Number must be clearly stated in the covering letter

Students within an university co-op program MUST apply for TRIUMF jobs through their university co-op education office.

Email to:

student@triumf.ca

Mail to:

TRIUMF Student Program
Job Number TR10-2-4
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, B.C.
V6T 2A3

No phone calls please. TRIUMF wishes to thank all applicants for their interest, and regrets that only those being considered will be contacted.

TRIUMF is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia.
For more information, visit our web site
http://www.triumf.ca