Patrik Thuiner

Patrik Thuiner is a BrightnESS CERN fellow. He will be responsible for the NMX detector development. Amongst his tasks are the optimisation of the Gadolinium GEM detectors and the design of the mechanical detector and support structures.

- I got involved in BrightnESS, when I was working on my PhD at the Gaseous Detector Development group at CERN. Now, I work in the same laboratory with the same type of detectors, but with a new development in my research. As part of Task 4.1, The Resolution Challenge, I work with small prototypes, which we use to demonstrate neutron detection with gadolinium converters. I am also working on how to manufacture bigger prototypes as part of the three detectors that we are going to build for the NMX instrument at ESS.

With the small detector prototypes we will show that we are able to meet the requirements in terms of spatial and timing resolution, rate capability and long term stability. My tasks also include mechanical work and research in terms of identifying different methods on how to manufacture and assemble the full scale detectors.

What I like about BrightnESS is that we go from the idea to the big prototype within a limited period of time. As it is a three-year project, we will be able to see the result of our work in the near future. The project also enables me to develop my skills and meet interesting people and companies from many different countries along the way.  

The key challenge for my work in BrightnESS will be to take the small prototype to the larger version. Once we demonstrate and optimise the small prototype, the challenge will be to get it to full scale – this is something that we have never done before and I am looking forward to take on this challenge.