12/20/22, 9:11 PM Diagnosis of high powered pulsed plasmas for the synthesis of new materials - Research Supervisor Connect

esearch Supervisor Connect - Future Students - University of Sydney, Australia

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Diagnosis of high powered pulsed plasmas for the

synthesis of new materials
Summary

New high speed optical and electronic diagnostics methods will be developed to probe
ultra fast plasma phenomena in promising new plasma discharges for the synthesis of
metastable materials.

Supervisor

Professor Marcela Bilek.

Research location

School of Physics

Program type
More about Professor
Masters/PHD Marcela Bilek

Synopsis
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High power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HIPPIMS) is a new method for producing a highly
ionised flux of material from a solid target for coating applications. Indications are that it
produces a high ionized flux (approaching that of the cathodic arc described above). The nature of the plasma produced
when high power pulses are applied to a sputtering target will underpin commercial application of this source for materials
synthesis and is still not understood. In this project high speed optical and electronic diagnostic tools capable of probing the
rapidly changing discharge will be developed and deployed. The optical method will be high speed high dispersion optical
spectroscopy involving coupling a Fizeau interferometer to a spectrograph and high speed intensified CCD camera. This will
enable the analysis of line shapes associated with species in the plasma to determine their densities and velocities.
Complementary information will be obtained by time and energy resolved mass spectrometry. Langmuir probes will be used
to investigate the electron temperature. The ultimate aim is to understand whether the discharge is similar to a high current
arc or is a new kind of glow discharge operating at a much higher current density than previously known. An arc involves a
localised emission site on either the cathode or the anode whereas a glow discharge has a distributed current on the
electrodes. A glow discharge is more controlled than an arc and does not produce macroparticles.The Applied and Plasma
group has recently developed and commissioned a high current (1-5 kA) pulsed cathodic arc plasma source. This source is
the only one of its kind and produces a much higher instantaneous ion flux than any other deposition system currently
available. The range of parameters which can be accessed make it an ideal instrument for investigating the basic physics of
plasma transport in magnetic and electric fields. This project will utilize high-tech plasma diagnostic equipment, such as time
resolved Langmuir probes, microwave and laser interferometry and tomography, and CIS spectroscopy) developed in
collaboration with the fusion research group at the ANU, Canberra, on a two million dollar ARC infrastructure grant awarded
to the consortium. The questions to be investigated include the identification of instabilities associated with transport of a
high density fully ionized drifting plasma in magnetic fields, the development of enhanced charged states in the rapidly
expanding plasma region. Recent simulation work has predicted that the charge state distribution is coupled to the energy
distribution in a specific way and we are now in a unique position to test this.

Additional information

This research field is very large and rapidly evolving so there are a number of projects available for PhD, Masters and Honours
students. Students involved in the work will learn how to design, build and use a range of high tech diagnostic instruments,
including high resolution spectrometers, a range of interferometers, electrostatic probes and mass energy analyzers. Top up
scholarships are available for students with sufficiently high grades or other relevant experience.

HDR Inherent Requirements

In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Science Postgraduate Handbook, you may be required to satisfy a
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12/20/22, 9:11 PM Diagnosis of high powered pulsed plasmas for the synthesis of new materials - Research Supervisor Connect - Future Students - University of Sydney, Australia

number of inherent requirements to complete this degree. Example of inherent requirement may include:

- Confidential disclosure and registration of a disability that may hinder your performance in your degree;
- Confidential disclosure of a pre-existing or current medical condition that may hinder your performance in your degree (e.g.
heart disease, pace-maker, significant immune suppression, diabetes, vertigo, etc.);
- Ability to perform independently and/or with minimal supervision;
- Ability to undertake certain physical tasks (e.g. heavy lifting);
- Ability to undertake observatory, sensory and communication tasks;
- Ability to spend time at remote sites (e.g. One Tree Island, Narrabri and Camden);
- Ability to work in confined spaces or at heights;
- Ability to operate heavy machinery (e.g. farming equipment);
- Hold or acquire an Australian driver’s licence;
- Hold a current scuba diving license;
- Hold a current Working with Children Check;
- Meet initial and ongoing immunisation requirements (e.g. Q-Fever, Vaccinia virus, Hepatitis, etc.)

You must consult with your nominated supervisor regarding any identified inherent requirements before completing your
application.

Want to find out more?

— Interested in this opportunity? Want to know what to do next? Find out all you need to know about the application process including
how to approach a potential supervisor via email and how to develop a research proposal.
— Browse for other opportunities within the School of Physics.
— Contact us to find out what's involved in applying for a PhD. Domestic students and international students.

Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 712

Other opportunities with Professor Marcela Bilek

— Biosensors and arrays for detection of disease
— Implantable Medical Devices
— Surface attached enzymes for the production of biomass energy from agricultural waste
— Modelling plasma surface functionalisation of additively manufactured, porous, prosthetic implants
— Modelling plasma synthesis of nanoparticles for non-invasive diagnosis and targeted treatment of disease
— Modelling atmospheric plasma processes for biofunctionalization in additive manufacturing
— Plasma surface modification for applications in microfluidic diagnostic systems and implantable cardiovascular devices
— Nanoparticle-based biomolecule detection systems

Leadership for good starts here

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