I worked on the second and third generation Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRIS) at LBNL learning to use and understand them. My project centered around experimentation to find the most efficient microwave absorption in the plasma of the ECRIS. This summer has inspired me to pursue a career in nuclear energy and invigorated my excitement to research.

Mentor: Janilee Benitez

My project is to calculate the thickness of targets used in BGS experiments. Target thickness is important because it influences what isotopes are made and the production rate of nuclei in super heavy element experiments. I designed and manufactured a specialized vacuum chamber to detect the amount of energy an alpha particle loses in vacuum and after passing through a target, which can be compared to SRIM simulations to calculate an overall thickness. This project introduced me to several new concepts in nuclear science and helped strengthen my skills as an engineer. I hope to continue similar research in grad school once I finish this program. 

Mentors: Jacklyn Gates and Rodney Orford

During my GREAT-NS internship, I developed and utilized code to automate the data collection process for the readout electronics for the LEGEND-1000 experiment, as well as code to analyze the data and extract important parameters of the readout electronics circuit. 

Mentor: Ann-Kathrin Schuetz

The previous semester, I characterized the fast neutron response of two newly developed lithium-loaded plastic scintillator using a double time-of-flight method. Throughout my summer internship, I continued my research by characterizing the thermal response of these scintillators by determining their pulse shape discrimination capabilities and began writing the manuscript for this research to be published! This time interning with GREAT-NS has given me the opportunity to make connections with my fellow interns and learn more about nuclear science through my mentors! 

Mentors: Bethany Goldblum and Thibault Laplace

This summer, my project was investigating the potential isotopic chemistry of neodymium. Generally, the chemistry of an element is attributed to its atomic number and electron configuration. However, recent findings have deduced a presence of mass field shift and nuclear volume effects in the chemical characteristics of the isotopes of the same element.  We used a mass spectrometer to find differences in isotopic ratios in a collision reaction of [Nd(III)(NO3)4]- to [Nd(IV)O(NO3)3]-, where we have also seen these effects present amongst the 7 isotopes of neodymium.  

Mentor: Jennifer Pore

The experiment aims to collect data on the performance of High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors by building a precise measurement system. This is necessary since small variations in the production process of a HPGe detector can have significant impact on the detector performance. In order to make accurate measurements, it is important to understand the detector response well. To do this, precise measurements were made on selected radiation-interaction location strips in the detector. A program was developed to control motion stages that will move a source and collimator as part of a measurement system for HPGe detectors. Monte Carlo simulations were done of the system to inform the parameters of this movement. 

Mentor: Joanna Szornel