General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DRT-25-0847
Direction
DRT
Thesis topic details
Category
Technological challenges
Thesis topics
Development of ultra-high-resolution magnetic microcalorimeters for isotopic analysis of actinides by X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometry
Contract
Thèse
Job description
The PhD project focuses on the development of ultra-high-resolution magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs) to improve the isotopic analysis of actinides (uranium, plutonium) by X- and gamma-ray spectrometry around 100 keV. This type of analysis, which is essential for the nuclear fuel cycle and non-proliferation efforts, traditionally relies on HPGe detectors, whose limited energy resolution constrains measurement accuracy. To overcome these limitations, the project aims to employ cryogenic MMC detectors operating at temperatures below 100 mK, capable of achieving energy resolutions ten times better than that of HPGe detectors. The MMCs will be microfabricated at CNRS/C2N using superconducting and paramagnetic microstructures, and subsequently tested at LNHB. Once calibrated, they will be used to precisely measure the photon spectra of actinides in order to determine the fundamental atomic and nuclear parameters of the isotopes under study with high accuracy. The resulting data will enhance the nuclear and atomic databases used in deconvolution codes, thereby enabling more reliable and precise isotopic analysis of actinides.
University / doctoral school
PHENIICS (PHENIICS)
Thesis topic location
Site
Saclay
Requester
Position start date
01/10/2025
Person to be contacted by the applicant
RODRIGUES Matias
matias.rodrigues@cea.fr
CEA
DRT/DIN//LNHB-MA
LNHB
Bat 602
CEA-Saclay
91191 Gif sur Yvette
0169089316
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
LOIDL Martin
martin.loidl@cea.fr
CEA
DRT/DIN//LNHB-MA
LNHB
Bat 602
CEA-Saclay
91191 Gif sur Yvette
01 69 08 42 77
En savoir plus
http://www.lnhb.fr/