Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Physics - Postdoctoral Position

Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Physics

A postdoctoral position, from 1 to 3 years duration, is available starting summer/fall of 2022 in the research laboratory of Dr. Tony Smith at Ideal Vacuum Products located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The research involves laser spectroscopic studies of main group reactive intermediates, with particular emphasis on those that are of importance to vacuum coating and deposition processes, thin film coatings, chemical vapor deposition, semiconductor growth, chemical kinetics and astrophysics. These transient species are produced in the gas-phase either by laser ablation, electric discharge or photodissociation and are studied in free-jet expansions. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), stimulated emission pumping (SEP), dispersed fluorescence (DF), and fluorescence lifetime measurements are used to detect and characterize these reactive intermediates. We also use ab initio methods to predict the molecular structures, spectroscopic parameters and spectra to aid our experimental efforts. Personnel in the laboratory have the opportunity to conduct experiments with the instrumentation at Ideal Vacuum, work with Tony Smith and Dennis Clouthier in the laboratory, and travel for collaborative work with other research groups.

Key Laboratory Equipment

• Coherent 699-21 Ultra-High Resolution Ring Dye Laser
• Coherent 899-21 Ultra-High Resolution Ti:Sapphire Laser
• CW Ring Laser Dye Pulse-Amplifier (Resolution 200 MHz)
• Coherent Verdi CW Pump Laser
• Lumonics HD-500 Low-Resolution Pulsed Dye Lasers (Resolution 0.08 cm-1)
• Continuum Surelite SL-III Nd:YAG Lasers
• Lambda Physik Scanmate 2E (Resolution 0.03 cm-1) dye laser
• Spex 500M Scanning Monochromator
• Andor iStar 320T intensified CCD camera
• Thermo Nicolet iS50 FT-IR Spectrometer (Precursor Gas Quality Analysis)
• A 3D LIF spectrometer which records the total fluorescence intensity, fluorescence decay curve and emission spectrum at every wavelength of the excitation laser (Continuum Horizon OPO 197 - 2750 nm) This automated system is a very powerful tool for searching for the spectra of new, unknown species.

A qualified candidate will have experience operating, setting up experiments, and hands-on tuning/alignment of these types of laser systems. For example, we collect Ultra-High Resolution (UHR) spectra with a 300 MHz Doppler limited linewidth using our cw ring laser pulsed dye amplifier apparatus. Our UHR LIF spectra are calibrated by simultaneously collecting the sub-Doppler spectrum of I2 and fringes from both a 1.5 GHz and 300 MHz etalons (temperature- and pressure-stabilized etalons are passively-locked to a stabilized He:Ne laser) allowing calibration to 10 MHz. A good candidate will have experience at operating these types of complicated experiments and excel at collecting spectroscopic data.

Ideal Vacuum operates a full CNC machine shop and we are constantly designing new components to improve the capabilities of our spectroscopy laboratory apparatus and we seek candidates with experience in designing and implementing new experiments.

Applies Vacuum Technology

Ideal Vacuum is a New Mexico based distributor of scientific and industrial vacuum equipment such as rotary vane, dry scroll, turbomolecular, and others along with vacuum pressure measurement, fittings, hardware, and supplies since 2001. The majority of our 13,000 current products either directly produce, measure, or contain vacuum. We want to extend our product range into applied vacuum process applications, such as, sputtering, thermal evaporation, electron beam evaporation, and ion beam sources to produce controlled growth of thin films for industrial production and chemical engineering process applications. Thin films are used in many industrial manufacturing processes such as displays, tool coating, photovoltaics, medical, optical, lighting, automotive, wear coating and others. The deposited material produces physical and chemical changes in a base material, for example, thin films layers of lanthanide containing materials can be used to produce catalytic reactions for organic synthesis.

Qualifications

• Position open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• Ph. D. in a Chemistry, Physics or Chemical Physics
• Hands-on experience conducting advanced laser spectroscopic experiments is required.
• Confident experimentalist, able to setup experiments, tune and align high-resolution cw lasers, collect quality LIF and DF data
• Aptitude for designing new laboratory instruments
• The ideal candidate will enjoy the thrill of discovery of new molecules and the intellectual satisfaction of untangelling complex spectra and extracting molecular identities and structures from such spectra.
• Able to multitask, maintain laser experiments and collect quality data, while also doing other tasks, such as data analysis and conducting ab initio calculations

Package:

• Salary $60,000 per year (negotiable)
• BCBS Health Care
• Dental & Vision
• 401K Retirement Package
• Paid vacation, statutory holidays, and sick leave
• Relocation compensation is available
• For the right candidate, this job could evolve into a staff position at Ideal Vacuum Products

How To Apply

Please email resume to workwithus@idealvac.com

By Regular Mail To:

Ideal Vacuum Products
Human Resources
5910 Midway Park Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: (505) 872-0037
Fax: (505) 872-9001


Thank you!

Selected Research Publications:

1. Ab initio spectroscopy of the aluminum methylene (AlCH2) free radical.pdf 2.41 MB, PDF

2. Which triatomic monohalosilylenes, monohalogermylenes, and monohalostannylenes (HMX) fluoresce or phosphoresce and why? An ab initio investigation.pdf 5.98 MB, PDF

3. The electronic spectrum of the jet-cooled stibino (SbH2) free radical.pdf 1.78 MB, PDF

4. The high-resolution LIF spectrum of the SiCCl free radical: Probing the silicon-carbon triple bond.pdf 1.23 MB, PDF

5. Laser-induced fluorescence detection of the elusive SiCF free radical.pdf 1.89 MB, PDF

6. Identification of the Jahn–Teller active trichlorosiloxy (SiCl3O) free radical in the gas phase.pdf 2.52 MB, PDF

7. Detection and characterization of the tin dihydride (SnH2 and SnD2) molecule in the gas phase.pdf 2.13 MB, PDF

8. Barely fluorescent molecules II: Twin-discharge jet laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of HSnBr and DSnBr.pdf 0.46 MB, PDF

9. Barely fluorescent molecules I: Twin-discharge jet laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of HSnCl and DSnCl.pdf 0.38 MB, PDF

10. Te2 absorption spectrum from 19000 to 24000 cm-1 .pdf 0.34 MB, PDF