Development of new approach to fitting EXAFS data for complex crystalline materials such as cuprate high temperature superconductors
High temperature superconducting magnets are an integral component in next generation energy production via nuclear fusion. REBCO is the current state-of-the-art superconducting wire, which can be used to generate large magnetic fields. During operation, REBCO is irradiated with high-energy neutrons which impact on the structural integrity and cause the superconducting magnet to fail. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) is an X-ray spectroscopic synchrotron technique that can be used to investigate structural damage caused during irradiation with neutrons and analogously with high energy ions. However, due to the underlying complexity of the REBCO crystal structure and the added complexity associated with the introduction of numerous defect-sites and defect-geometries, standard EXAFS analysis using the current software infrastructure has proved to be challenging. This project targets the development of a new approach towards EXAFS data analysis of structurally complex materials using automated algorithms, with the goal of unravelling the atom scale structural changes that take place in REBCO as a result of neutron bombardment in a fusion reactor. The successful PhD candidate will work closely with scientists at the Department of Materials (Prof. Nicholls, Prof. Speller), Diamond Light Source (Dr Elliott) and the Ada Lovelace Centre.
General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e mail to graduate.studies@materials.ox.ac.uk. You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies. Further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford.
