Simulating hydrogen concentration profiles of energy materials from resonant nuclear reactions

Project

The verification of hydrogen content is decisive for emerging hydrogen-rich materials in sustainable energy applications, such as hydrogen storage in the hydrogen economy. As hydrogen is the lightest element in the universe, experimental investigation of its distribution at the atomic level encounters difficulties. Ion beams offer nondestructive and distinctive analysis of material composition through elastic and inelastic interactions with the different chemical elements. Resonant nuclear reactions with hydrogen atoms can be induced by high-energy 15N-ion beams employed at the Tandem Laboratory (Ångström), and are utilized for depth-resolved measurement of hydrogen in solid thin films, nanostructures, and on surfaces. To obtain hydrogen depth profiles the incident energy of ions is varied positioning the resonance of the nuclear reaction at varying depths within a target while detecting reaction products (e.g. γ-rays). The experimental excitation curve thus displays the depth distribution of the hydrogen density offering superior depth resolution of only several nanometers. However, the hydrogen signal is convoluted with an effective instrumental function and the nuclear reaction cross-section. The project aims to develop a numerical method to determine real hydrogen concentration profiles from experimental excitation curves by numerical deconvolution.

By joining this project, you will

• learn fundamental aspects of interactions between energetic ions and hydrogen-containing materials;
• learn advanced accelerator-based analytical techniques;
• acquire work experience at a large-scale scientific facility;
• develop a numerical analytical methodology;
• bridge real experimental data with simulations;
• perform benchmark ion beam experiments on ultrathin hydrogen-storing metal films; and simulate hydrogen depth profiles;
• be involved in an academic research environment.

Desired qualifications/experience

• enrolled in a physics program at Uppsala University;
• a strong interest in simulations;
• excellent skills in both written and spoken English;
• some interest in experimental work.

We encourage applications by students seeking diploma-work projects at Master's level.

For further information please contact:

Kristina Komander