Master project: Femtosecond dynamics in isolated molecules Many processes in molecules take place on ultrafast (femto- and picosecond) timescales. We investigate such processes in single, isolated molecules with pump-probe femtosecond laser spectroscopy and photoelectron and photoion detection. In particular, coincidence detection of electrons and ions, the novelty of our setup, provides important information about molecular fragmentation.
The aim of this master project is to apply continuously variable excitation and/or probe wavelengths for dynamics studies in acetone molecules. The master student will work in a modern laser lab and acquire a deep insight into molecular processes and dynamics. They will be trained in the following areas: ultrafast laser science, photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy, ultra high vacuum, automated data acquisition and hardware control.
Need more information? - feel free to stop by anytime at our offices (Markus Koch: PHEG092; Pascal Heim, Bernhard Thaler: PHEG050). Compensation: 2640 €
Contact: Ass. Prof. Markus Koch markus.kochnoSpam@tugraz.at

Master's project: Studying phase transitions of layered materials with helium scattering

The aim of this project is to study the surface structure of the transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) TaS2 with helium atom scattering. TaS2 has a particularly rich phase diagram involving several charge-density wave (CDW) transitions driven by strong electronic correlations and electron-phonon coupling upon changes of the surface temperature. Helium scattering measurements at different sample temperatures should allow to follow the phase transitions and the changes upon the surface structure / charge density with temperature.

Compensation: € 2640
Contact: tamtoeglnoSpam@tugraz.at

More information

Master's project: Setup of a gas dosing system for molecule/surface interaction studies

For studies of the adsorption of gas molecules on various material surfaces, so-called Dirac materials, the setup of a gas dosing system is necessary. Therefore, an existing experimental apparatus should be extended with a setup for the dosage of gases.
To deliver gas adsorbates onto the surface in a controlled and quantitative way, a gas-handling system with a microcapillary array beam will be designed and constructed. The master student will be responsible for design and setup of the gas dosing system with help provided by our group and should then run first adsorption tests on Dirac material surfaces.

Compensation: € 2640
Contact: tamtoeglnoSpam@tugraz.at

More information

Metal clusters with diameters in the nanometer range show outstanding chemical features which differ significantly from the bulk material. Particularly interesting is the ability to catalyse selected reactions. The aim of this diploma thesis is to study the activity and selectivity of selected materials (Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Fe, Ni) for the adsorption and follow-up dehydrogenation of short-chained alkanes with density functional theory, starting with the evaluation of basic properties such as adsorption energies and their dependence on particle structure, composition and size.

Compensation: 2640 €
Contact: Ass. Prof. Andreas Hauser andreas.hausernoSpam@tugraz.at

The master student will be part of a team working on NN development. He/She will be focusing on the crucial task of writing parsing scripts for the output of the selected program packages and will develop a program which translates cartesian coordinates or z-matrix geometries into so-called symmetry functions, a non-redundant input vector format for the neural network. This technically challenging part will be performed with the help of Dr. Marquetand, an experienced user and developer of NNs for chemistry applications from the University of Vienna, who offered his assistance.

Compensation: 2640 €
Contact: Ass. Prof. Andreas Hauser andreas.hausernoSpam@tugraz.at

A Master student will join the project listed above in the second half of 2017. After getting introduced to Q-Chem and quantum chemistry methods in general, it will be his task to assist with the parsing of Q-Chem output, to perform a series of benchmark ab initio calculations on small metal clusters to provide first test sets for the training of the NN, and to collaborate with the PhD students on finalizing a first draft version of the NN.

Compensation: 2640 €
Contact: Ass. Prof. Andreas Hauser andreas.hausernoSpam@tugraz.at

We are working on

the development of a prototype of a novel optical vector magnetometer by utilising the coherent population trapping phenomenon in the atomic vapour of rubidium. The prototype is based on our scalar magnetometer, the Coupled Dark State Magnetometer. This device was especially designed for scientific space missions and is already on-board of 4 scientific satellites and will be launched to Jupiter in April of 2023.

The Master Thesis

will include the implementation of a new laser diode and laser current source for the laboratory setup of the Magnetometer Lab at the Institute of Experimental Physics. This setup will be used for the characterisation of the vector magnetometer prototype. This testing will be performed at the Institute of Experimental Physics of TU Graz, the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (located in Graz) as well as the Geomagnetic Conrad Observatory of Geosphere Austria.

We offer:

• Diversified tasks in the field of laser optics, spectroscopy, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as programming
• Interdisciplinary team due to the cooperation with the Space Research Institute
• Insights in the development of space qualified magnetometers/hardware
• Measurement campaigns at the Conrad Observatory

We are looking

for a motivated Master student, who is interested in joining our team.

Contact:            Christoph Amtmann (christoph.amtmannnoSpam@tugraz.at) or

Roland Lammegger (roland.lammeggernoSpam@tugraz.at)