The Joint Laboratory Astrophysics and Cluster Physics Group of the Max
Planck Institute for Astronomy and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena,
operated at the Institute of Solid State Physics, Jena, Germany invites
applications for two Ph.D. studentship positions. The group which is headed
by Prof. Thomas Henning and Prof. Friedrich Huisken is carrying out
laboratory experiments on astrophysically relevant molecules, clusters, and
nanoparticles employing sophisticated molecular beam machines and modern
laser equipment. The current projects for which funding is available are:
1. Electronic spectroscopy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in
the gas phase and in liquid helium droplets
PAHs can be considered as nanoscale precursors to bulk graphite sheets.
Electronic spectroscopy of such species containing between 14 and 50 carbon
atoms is performed in the expansion of pulsed supersonic jets using cavity
ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). In another molecular beam machine, the same
molecules (as well as other molecules of astrophysical interest) are
embedded in liquid helium clusters (nanodroplets). Their absorption spectra
are obtained by molecular beam depletion techniques. The aim of these
experiments is to contribute to the understanding of the Diffuse
Interstellar Bands (DIBs).
2. Investigation of the optical properties of silicon and silica
nanoparticles
Light-emitting silicon-based nanoparticles (silicon and silicon dioxide)
are of outstanding importance for optoelectronic applications. Moreover,
they are discussed as possible carriers for the Extended Red Emission
(ERE), an astrophysical photoluminescence phenomenon originating from
interstellar and circumstellar dust particles. Photoluminescence studies of
laboratory-prepared samples will be carried out to find support for or
discard this hypothesis.
The projects are supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in
the frame of the Forschergruppe "Laboratory Astrophysics", a collaboration
between the Universities of Jena and Chemnitz (http://www.tu-
chemnitz.de/FGLA/). Project funding is also provided by the Max Planck
Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg (http://www.mpia-hd.mpg.de/). The
salary offered to the Ph.D. students corresponds to BAT IIa/2 O. More
information is also available on the Joint Laboratory Astrophysics Group
website:
http://www.physik.uni-jena.de/~exphys/astrolab/
Applications should be sent to
Prof. Dr. Friedrich Huisken
Institute of Solid State Physics
Helmholtzweg 3
D-07743 Jena, Germany
eMail: [log in to unmask]
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