Mathematics and Physics Department - Roma Tre University

The PhD research activity will be developed within the new laboratory devoted to the project ERC AdG SWIM - Surfing radio waves to detect lquid water in the Solar System

Homepage: https://matematicafisica.uniroma3.it/

The large laboratory test site experiment to estimate the dielectric properties of the ice/ocean interface.

The project is dedicated to the use of a large test tank (under construction inside the ERC-SWIM laboratory) to simulate the ice/ocean interface of Europa. The experimental tank will allow to progressively freeze the water from the top and to measure the dielectric properties of the entire ice column at high resolution using a series of horizontal transmission lines distributed along a vertical profile and connected to a VNA. The goal of the project is to measure the properties of the ice forming and evolving starting from an “ocean” having specific chemical composition and concentration. Both endmembers and combinations of the Ih-NaCl and Ih-MgSO₄ systems will be tested for different concentrations. Dielectric measurements will be complemented by CT microtomography and Raman analysis to assess brines volume fraction in the ice and solutes concentration in the brines. The results of the experiment will be compared with thermal models of Europa ice/ocean interface that predict the amount and vertical distribution of the brines in the ice.

Ideal candidate: Master degree in chemistry or physics with a strong background in experimental chemistry/physics. Basic knowledge on chemical modeling.

For more information contact: elena.pettinelli@uniroma3.it

Details of the call

Link to the call: https://matematicafisica.uniroma3.it/ricerca/dottorato-di-ricerca/dottorato-di-ricerca-in-matematica/ammissione/