Development of Laser and optical techniques to measure thermophysical properties of nuclear materials at high temperature

- Team : ILM
- Thesis Direction : Laurent Gallais
- Place : Institut Fresnel, Marseille
- Duration : 18 months
- Funding : CEA
- Contact : laurent.gallais@fresnel.fr

APPLY ON EURAXESS WEBSITE : https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/272495

In the context of the renew and growing interest of Molten Salt Reactors that could promise to solve safety and waste issues of nuclear fission technology, the knowledge of corresponding salt properties and their evolution as a function of temperature and composition is crucial. This includes melting point, viscosity, surface tension, density and thermal conductivity quantification in the temperature range of 600-800°C, that require specific and complex experiments for their determination. To overcome the current limitations of measurement techniques and gain new insight into these critical properties the SALTO project (« Laser and optical techniques enable knowledge of molten salt nuclear fuels thermophysical properties at high temperature », funded by AMIDEX Excellence Initiative of the Aix-Marseille University) aims to develop an original set of experiments and methodologies relying on laser and optical techniques. Specifically, high power lasers will be used to drive the “salts” at high temperature, and imaging, spectrometry, thermography and pyrometric techniques will be deployed to determine the properties of interest thanks to the great flexibility offered with these optical and laser based techniques. The approach in SALTO to reach the objectives goes from the conceptual designs tested in a photonics laboratory to the application in a hot cell laboratory at CEA (The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission).

The post-doctoral scientist will be in charge of the experimental developments within the SALTO project. His role will be to demonstrate the applicability of the different concepts for measurements of thermophysical properties of molten salts, and validate the experimental developments on molten salt mock-ups. The ChauCoLase platform at Institut Fresnel will be fully dedicated to the post-doctoral project. It includes multiple high power laser sources (several fully equipped optical tables, diode laser and fiber laser sources up to the kW level in CW regime), a blackbody calibration source, visible and thermal cameras, pyrometers and spectrometers. Additional equipments will be defined and acquired through the project funding

Skills / Qualifications :

To conduct a specified research program under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
To design and build experimental test setups, conduct experiments and analyse the data.
To explore the underlying physics combining theoretical and experimental approaches.
To coordinate with project partners (CEA) and academic collaborators.
To engage in the dissemination of the results through peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
To carry out administrative work to report back to the funding agency and manage project deliverables.
To assist in the financial management of the research project.

Requirements : PhD in Physics, Photonics

– Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing of photonic systems

– Hands-on experience in using state-of-the art optical techniques and laser systems

– Practical experience with high power lasers

– Programming skills for numeric simulation, experiment control and data analysis

– Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

– Proven track record with publications and communications.

Contacts : laurent.gallais@fresnel.fr and yves.pontillon@cea.fr