Uchino-Yamagata laboratory

Nima Bolouki (Iran)

Past research
I graduated in applied physics and my field was plasma both in Bachelor and Master degree. My master thesis was about design and fabrication of a concave cold cathode electron source. In cold cathode electron source, electron beam is produced by secondary electron emission. In this process, electrical gas discharge can produce a powerful electron beam. The discharge condition is called obstructed discharge. The usual definition of the obstructed discharge is given in term of reducing the electrode separation (or gas pressure) in a glow discharge. When the separation is decreased to a value somewhat longer than the cathode dark space (CDS), the discharge voltage begins to rise. This effect is more pronounced if the cathode-anode separation is further decreased. The obstructed discharge in low operating gas pressure produces a monochromatic beam. In this system electron beam converges with concave cathode. A negative DC high voltage is applied to concave cathode up to -20 kV which make ionization in working gas and obstructed discharge. This applied voltage determines electron energy.

Current research
I am working in Professor Uchino’s laboratory and my study is on dielectric barrier discharge plasmas. In fact, I have to determine electron density and electron temperature in DBD plasma by laser Thomson scattering method as a diagnostics system. Characteristics of the DBD plasmas which are usually produced between parallel plane electrodes have not yet been well-understood since diagnostics of micro discharges forming the DBD plasma are very difficult due to their short life times and small size. In order to assist understanding of DBD plasmas characteristics such as electron density and electron temperature, we are going to develop laser Thomson scattering (LTS) as a diagnostic method. In this system we have the light source that is second harmonics beam of the Nd: YAG Laser. When the YAG laser is injected into DBD plasma, Thomson scattered light is radiated from the electron. The local electron temperature and electron density in DBD plasmas are measured by the spectroscopic analysis of the Thomson scattering spectrum.

Chikushi campus of Kyushu University
Chikushi campus of Kyushu University has a friendly and fabulous atmosphere and my laboratory is not exceptional. Modern and updated equipment can be found in laboratories. Moreover, professors in this campus have high level of knowledge and have carried out pioneering research on their fields; in addition, they direct students in a right way. So it is very nice place for studying and experimental work. In my opinion, if a student is hardworking; definitely, he or she would not have any problem. Finally, I recommend that students, especially international students who are going to continue their education choose this campus.