Placement Information
Year you started your placement
2013
Placement period
May – August, September – December
Supervisor’s name
Hao Tjeng
Project Details
Overview
My work term has consisted of becoming familiar with ultra-high vacuum (UHV) experimental setup used to grow and characterize thin films in situ, design and draw a protective holder for a sensitive nano-positioning rotator for use in UHV conditions and design an in situ sample transport system for a new synchrotron in Taiwan.
Project objectives
Ultra-high vacuum requires many special design considerations. There are many restrictions for materials that are safe for UHV use, since many materials can outgas, preventing the chamber from reaching low pressures. Before I could design anything for use in UHV, I had to become familiar with UHV design principles.
Samples need to be installed onto manipulators within the UHV chamber. This installation occurs in situ which creates many complications when attempting to establish good thermal contact and positioning control over the sample. To position a sample in a UHV chamber, one group used a nano-positioning rotator that has a rotating top disc. Due to the piezoelectric components of the rotator, it is very sensitive to forces and can be broken easily. To prevent this from occurring, I designed a low-profile rotator clamp providing excellent thermal contact with the sample as well as preventing forces from being exerted the sensitive piezoelectric components inside the rotator.
Finally, I will be working on an in situ transport system for a new synchrotron in Taiwan. This transport system will use a hexapod with six degrees of freedom to position the sample for measurements. This will require a transport system from load-lock chamber to the hexapod while ensuring the sample has sufficient contact to a cold reservoir to be cooled to 4 K.
Research outcomes
The Max Planck Institute for the Chemical Physics of Solids conducts fundamental research on a class of electronic materials that show unusual electronic and magnetic properties that cannot be explained without taking into account interacting electron mechanisms.
Project status
Completed
My Co-op Experience at MPI
Why did you apply for a placement with Max Planck Institute?
I was driven to apply to MPI for the opportunity to work alongside and learn from the best researchers in their respective fields, to establish connections in Europe for future work or education after my bachelor’s degree, and to experience unfamiliar cultures through travelling.
What recommendations do you have for students who wish to participate in MPI-UBC exchange program?
One of the most exciting aspects of the MPI-UBC exchange program is the opportunity to live and work in Germany. To fully take advantage of this opportunity, it is important to learn the language, make connections in the city, and explore new cultural experiences.
There are a variety of language course options in most cities and I highly recommend enrolling in a German language course. These courses are a great way to meet new people and increase confidence in everyday life in a new country.
When moving to a new city, it can be challenging to meet people outside of the workplace. To meet locals, I believe it is essential to join a class. This could be anything from a fitness to a dance class. These courses are offered at gyms, studios, or through the university. Classes improve a skill, encourage you to interact with new people in a foreign language, and are very enjoyable.
Finally, there are many seminars happening at the MPI. I recommend attending as many as possible to learn about new ideas that may not be regularly discussed with undergraduates.
Tell us about your travels and cultural experiences in Germany and the rest of the Europe
While on my MPI placement, I have been able to vacation to Athens, Budapest, Copenhagen, Prague, and Vienna. I also plan to go to Barcelona and Munich in the near future.
One experience that I will never forget was attending the Sziget music festival in Budapest. The scope and atmosphere of the festival was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. This particular music festival has a variety of music genres, unlike many electronic focussed festivals in Europe. From sunup to sunup there is nonstop entertainment. Eastern Europe is also very affordable on a student budget.
I will be going to Barcelona to visit the city and to take a five day sailing course there. Shortly afterwards, I will be going to Munich for the world famous Oktoberfest.
