Del Mar Photonics - Laboratory Astrophysics and Astrochemistry

European Conference on Laboratory Astrophysics (ECLA), 26 - 30 September, 2011, Paris, France

Laboratory astrophysics is a vast interdisciplinary field whose aim is to complement and support astrophysical observations with laboratory-based measurements, simulations, theoretical modeling and numerical approaches. It is naturally related to all modern observational techniques, ground based telescopes and space missions, including in-situ analysis of extraterrestrial objects by interplanetary probes. It makes also use of many large instruments of physics such as synchrotron radiation, high-energy lasers and sophisticated analytical tools such as mass spectrometry. It
therefore fosters the collaboration between astronomers, astrophysicists, geochemists, physicists of various disciplines as well as chemists.

The objective of this conference is to gather scientists involved in this field to discuss recent challenges and advances in the understanding of the astrophysical matter and processes in very different environments and to share their expertise in the field of laboratory astrophysics.

The subjects covered are planetary science, including exoplanets, stellar environments and the interstellar medium, stellar physics, including solar physics and plasmas, compact objects and high-energy processes.

For more details, see the Conference Website: http://ecla.obspm.fr
 

Postdoctoral Positions relevant  to Del Mar Photonics business development e-mails us

From time to time Del Mar Photonics posts announcements for PhD research scholarships and postdoctoral positions in different locations worldwide. Most of those positions are relevant to Del Mar Photonics product portfolio, so we belive that our current and potential customers can be intersted in those opportunities. To find more opportunities go to the main page and search for Postdoc on that page. Some positions can be already filled out - we do not track if the positions are current.

PhD position available at FELIX
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:30:03 +0000


At the FELIX free electron laser facility, a PhD position is available for work in the field of Laboratory Astrochemistry

in particular, to study the structure and spectroscopy of gas-phase photo-products of polyaromatic molecules using the Free Electron Laser ‘FELIX’.

Job description: FELIX is the Free Electron Laser facility at FOM Rijnhuizen providing intense tunable infrared radiation to users from around the world. The in-house user group of Prof. Jos Oomens has developed a successful program applying the FELIX radiation to IR action spectroscopy on dilute gas-phase samples, including mass-selected molecular ions. For these experiments, the IR beamline is coupled to different ion trapping mass spectrometers.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs) are now generally accepted to occur abundantly in interstellar environments, evidenced by IR emission bands observed from a great variety of astronomical objects. UV excitation is an essential step in the proposed IR emission process. It is also known that PAHs undergo photo-dissociation under UV irradiation and it is thus likely that such photo-products also occur in space. However, to date little is known about the photo-chemistry of PAHs and the spectral properties of the products formed. In this project we will investigate the PAH photoproduct structures by IR spectroscopy using the FELIX. This project forms an integral part of the recently started Dutch Astrochemistry Network funded by NWO, see www.nwo.nl/astrochemistry

Requirements
• Master’s degree in physical chemistry, experimental physics or astrochemistry
• Laboratory skills
• Interest in astrophysical questions
• Some experience in mass spectrometry and/or gas-phase (laser) spectroscopy is desired.
• Experience with (quantum-chemical) molecular modeling is an advantage

Information: for further information see www.rijnhuizen.nl or contact Prof. J. Oomens (+31 30 6096999 / joso@rijnhuizen.nl).

Employment conditions: FOM offers a stimulating work environment in an area of applied, forefront research. When fulfilling a PhD position at FOM, you will get the status of junior scientist. You will have an employment contract for the duration of 4 years and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers. The gross monthly salary starts with ˆ 2037,- in the first year and increases to ˆ 2610,- in the fourth year of your employment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of year bonus of 8.33%. A high-quality training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. The research has to result in a thesis at the end of the four year term with FOM. The position is available immediately. Employment conditions are laid down in the ‘CAO onderzoek¬instellingen’ and can be consulted at the FOM website www.fom.nl under ‘FOM personeel (NED) or FOM personnel (ENG)’.

Application: Your letter of application with resume can be sent to Karijn Heling, FOM Institute for Plasma Physics, P.O. Box 1207, 3430 BE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands or by e-mail: vacancies@rijnhuizen.nl. Please note ‘vac. no 10/007 in your application letter.
 

Del Mar Photonics featured optical components

Del Mar Photonics continuously expands its optical components portfolio. Browse our online store, read monthly notes about our featured optical products or just send us your requirements or product ideas. 

Axicon Lens Axicon lens also known as conical lens or rotationally symmetric prism is widely used in different scientific research and application. Axicon can be used to convert a parallel laser beam into a ring, to create a non diffractive Bessel beam or to focus a parallel beam into long focus depth. Del Mar Photonics supplies axicons with cone angles range from 130° to 179.5° for use with virtually any laser radiation. We manufacture and supply axicons made from BK7 glass, fused silica and other materials. buy online - download brochure

Rutile (TiO2) coupling prisms Del Mar Photonics offers optical elements made of high quality synthetically grown Rutile Titanium Dioxide crystals. Rutile’s strong birefringency, wide transmission range and good mechanical properties make it suitable for fabrication of polarizing cubes, prisms and optical isolators. Boules having high optical transmission and homogeneity are grown by proprietary method. Typical boules have 10 - 15 mm in dia. and up to 25 mm length. Optical elements sizes - from 2 x 2 x 1 mm to 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 mm. Laser grade polish quality is available for finished elements. So far we the largest elements that we manufactured are 12 x15 x 5 mm, in which optical axis is parallel to 15 mm edge, 5 mm is along beam path, 12 x 15 mm faces polished 20/10 S/D, one wave flatness, parallelism < 3 arc.min. (better specs. available on request). more details - buy online - download brochure

Vacuum viewport Del Mar Photonics offer a range of competitively priced UHV viewports , Conflat, ISO or KF including a variety of coatings to enhance performance. Del Mar Photonics viewports are manufactured using advanced techniques for control of special and critical processes, including 100 percent helium leak testing and x-ray measurements for metallization control. Windows Materials include: Fused silica, Quartz , Sapphire , MgF2, BaF2, CaF2, ZnSe, ZnS, Ge, Si, Pyrex. Standard Viewing diameters from .55" to 1.94 ". Coating - a range of custom coatings can applied - which include - Single QWOT - Broad Band AR - V coatings - ITO - DLC (Diamond like coating) more details - request a quote

Manufacturing challenging optical components Our group works to characterize the interaction of biomolecules with solid surfaces, writes Dennis Hore of University of Victoria, Canada.  Nature designs proteins with well-defined structures in solution.  The conformation of these molecules may serve a structural purpose, or a chemical one in the case of enzymes.  In order to further the progress of technologies that immobilize such molecules on synthetic surfaces (like biosensors employing enzymes), it is important to have a detailed understanding and control of the interactions of these molecules with the surface more For that project Del Mar has been able to manufacture all shapes of prisms from CaF2, fused silica, and ZnSe according to our custom specifications. Del Mar Photonics online store features windows, prisms, lenses, attenuators, etalons, crystals and wafers, and other items. Axicons, barium fluoride windows, germanium etalons, rutile (TiO2) prisms, microchannel plates and detectors, saturable absorber mirrors, photoconductive THz antennas, lithium niobate wafers and crystals and many other high quality affordable components for scientific research and OEM production are delivered globally from stock.

We are looking forward to hear from you and help you with your optical and crystal components requirements. Need time to think about it? Drop us a line and we'll send you beautiful Del Mar Photonics mug (or two) so you can have a tea party with your colleagues and discuss your potential needs