Thesis offer “Study of the effect of polarized electrodes on the equilibrium of a magnetized plasma column” M/F
PhD @French National Centre for Scientific Research posted 2 days agoJob Description
General information
Job title: Thesis offer “Study of the effect of polarized electrodes on the equilibrium of a magnetized plasma column” M/F
Reference: UMR5213-DELDAL-028
Number of positions: 1
Work location: TOULOUSE
Publication date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Type of contract: Fixed-term contract Doctoral student
Contract duration: 36 months
Thesis start date: October 1, 2025
Work quota: Full
Remuneration: The remuneration is a minimum of €2,200.00 per month
Section(s) CN: 10 – Fluid and reactive media: transport, transfers, transformation processes
Description of the thesis subject
The objective of this thesis is to take advantage of the complementary expertise developed at Laplace, and more specifically analytical models and particle-in-cell numerical simulation codes, to study in detail the effect of polarized electrodes on the dynamics of a plasma. The idea in this thesis is to initially focus on a simplified configuration for which models and simulations can be directly compared, before progressing to more complex and realistic configurations, and finally to validate these results by comparison with experimental results. This thesis project is indeed part of the ANR Cantaloupe project involving LPENSL (Lyon), PIIM (Marseille), IRAP (Toulouse) and M2P2 (Marseille), thereby offering the possibility
of comparing the theoretical results obtained in this thesis with data from the VKP and Mistral experiments. This ANR project, aimed at understanding centrifugal instabilities induced by rotation, will also provide a particularly stimulating environment for this thesis.
Work context
The possibility of controlling the plasma potential profile in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field in a magnetized plasma opens the way to controlling the cross-field drift associated with this electric field. In cylindrical and toroidal geometries, this makes it possible to consider controlling the plasma rotation in the azimuthal and poloidal directions respectively.
An understanding of these effects is therefore of fundamental interest, as for the study of instabilities linked to rotation, but also of interest for different applications such as magnetic confinement fusion, plasma space propulsion or plasma separation [1].
One possibility for controlling the plasma potential profile in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field is to position electrically polarized electrodes in contact with the plasma. Although attractive by its simplicity, different effects can limit the effectiveness of this means of control, or even
make it totally ineffective [2]. An important element is the formation of a sheath facing these polarized electrodes, which limits the current reaching the electrode. Another important element is the perpendicular conductivity of the plasma, which limits the potential drop that the plasma can establish. Different simplified models have been proposed in recent years to model these effects, leading to
promising results, but also highlighting limitations [3]. At the same time, particle-in-cell numerical simulations have confirmed different trends in specific plasma configurations and regimes [4].
[1] I. Kaganovich et al. (2019), Phys. Plasmas, 27, 120601
[2] R. Gueroult, J.-M. Rax and NJ Fisch (2019), Phys. Plasmas, 26, 122106
[3] B. Trotabas and R. Gueroult (2022), Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., 31, 025001
[4] G. Fubiani et al. (2021), Phys. Plasmas, 28, 063503
The position is located in a sector covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.
Additional information
Profile sought – M2 Physics / plasma / astrophysics
