Professional Experience
Mar 2022 – Present :: Postdoctoral Fellow
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept. – University of Michigan
Supervisor: Prof. Mark J. Kushner
Projects:
ASTRON: “Modelling of Transformer-Coupled and RF Toroidal Wave-Heated Plasma Sources
for Industrial and Aerospace Applications”
NanoAg: “Enhancing Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis Employing Plasma-Assisted Chemical Processing Techniques”
Sep 2021 – Feb 2022 :: EUROfusion Postdoctoral Fellow
Dept. of Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics – University of Seville
Supervisor: Prof. Eleonora Viezzer
Projects:
MEGA-KINPR: “Non-Linear Hybrid Kinetic-MHD Plasma Response to Externally
Applied 3D Non-Axisymmetric Fields”
Feb 2020 – Aug 2021 :: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dept. of Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics – University of Seville
Supervisor: Prof. Eleonora Viezzer
Projects:
3D-FIREFLUC (ERC Starting Grant #805162):
“Taming the particle transport in magnetized plasmas via perturbative fields.”
SMART (FEDER, IE17-5670 & US-15570):
“Modelling and design of a novel spherical tokamak.”
2017-present. Referee tasks:
Referee for: Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., Plasma Sci. and Technol., Vacuum, Physics of Plasmas,
Fusion Engineering and Design, Frontiers in Physics, and J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.
Education
2015-2019. Ph.D. Physics – K. M. Stott Prize Recipient
York Plasma Institute, University of York
Thesis: “Electron, Ion, and Neutral Heating in Hollow Cathode Plasma Thrusters”
Advisors: Dr. James Dedrick, Prof. Deborah O’Connell
2014-2015. MSc. Fusion Energy – Distinction
York Plasma Institute, University of York
Thesis: “Self-Collimation of Relativistic Electron Beams”
Advisor: Dr. Christopher Ridgers
2013-2014. PGDip. Physics – Merit
York Plasma Institute, University of York
Thesis: “Suppression of Edge Localized Modes in Tokamak Fusion Plasmas”
Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Dudson
2008-2012. BSc. Physics with Astrophysics
University of Glasgow
Thesis: “Narrowband Optical Imaging of the Crab Nebula”
Advisor: Prof. Martin Hendry
Fellowships & Grants
2021*. EUROfusion Researcher Grant
*(Early completion to facilitate fellowship at University of Michigan)
MEGA-KINPR: “Non-Linear Hybrid Kinetic-MHD Plasma Response to Externally Applied 3D Non-Axisymmetric Fields”
Awarded a two year fully-funded fellowship to investigate non-linear plasma response to externally applied resonant magnetic perturbations in the presence of superthermal particle species in tokamak plasmas, with specific focus on the underlying
wave-particle interactions and MHD stability.
2021*. Juan de la Cierva Formacion Fellowship
*(Turned down in lieu of EUROFusion Researcher Grant)
“Advanced Low-Power Radio-Frequency Plasma Propulsion” As the principle investigator, I was awarded a two year fully-funded fellowship facilitating the development of a new research line within the University of Seville, dedicated to the modelling and development of low-power electrothermal and electrostatic propulsion sources.
2021. PRACE Distributed European Computing Initiative
MEGAWAVES: “Nonlinear hybrid kinetic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of tokamak plasmas”
As a contributor; we were awarded 3.0 million computing hours on the SEGA tier-1 supercomputing cluster to facilitate the study of Edge Localized Modes (ELMs), Alfvén eigenmodes and magnetic islands induced by externally applied magnetic perturbations.
2021. Plan Nacional – Research & Development Grants
FLOW-FIMP: “Unraveling the role of sheared flows for particle transport in magnetically confined fusion plasmas”
As a contributor; I investigated the MHD dynamics and associated particle transport in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak, utilizing experimentally validated 3D MHD simulations.
2020. EUROfusion High Performance Computing Grant
MEGAPR: “Non-Linear Hybrid Simulations of Plasma Response to Externally Applied 3D Fields”
Awarded 1.3 million computing hours on the MARCONI tier-0 supercomputing cluster to facilitate the development and validation of next-generation MHD-kinetic models underpinning the evolution of non-thermal particle transport and resonance in response to symmetry-breaking 3D magnetic perturbations in tokamak plasmas.
2018. Norma Ann Christie Scholarship Research Fund
Awarded £3000 to enable an international collaboration between the York Plasma Institute and the Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion laboratories at ANU to investigate and mitigate an anomalous helicon beam-plasma instability within a helicon magnetic propulsion source.
Awards & Prizes
2022. European Young Researchers Award (EYRA) Popular Prize – (2022)
Awarded to prominent representatives of the most talented young European researchers who have already made important contributions to their disciplines, but who have also succeeded in developing the societal context of their achievements and in promoting their field of research by notable outreach activities.
2020. K. M. Stott Prize in Physics
Awarded for the most exceptional thesis and defense submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy in Physics at the University of York.
2019. GEC Student Award for Excellence
Awarded at the 72nd Gaseous Electronics Conference for outstanding work in the field of plasma, atomic, molecular and optical physics.
Publications
As first author (in chronological order):
S. J. Doyle, J. P. Dedrick, and M. J. Kushner “Structural and Electromagnetic Methods for Enhancing Homogeneity in Intermediate Pressure Capacitively Coupled Plasma Processing Sources”, In Preparation, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., (2022)
S. J. Doyle, D. Tsifakis, C. Charles, R. W. Boswell, and J. P. Dedrick, “Comparison of the Ionisation and Neutral Gas Heating Mechanisms in Capacitively and Inductively Coupled Plasma Microthrusters”, In Preparation, Frontiers in Physics, (2022)
S. J. Doyle, M. Agredano-Torres, A. Mancini, D. Lopez-Aires, J. M. Ayllon-Guerola, C. Soria-Hoyo, M. Garcia-Munoz, E. Viezzer, P. F. Buxton, M. P. Gryaznevich, Y. S. Hwang, K. J. Chung, “Single and Double Divertor Null Configurations in the SMART Tokamak”, Plasma Research Express, 3, 044001, (2021)
S. J. Doyle, M. Agredano-Torres, A. Mancini, D. Lopez-Aires, J. M. Ayllon-Guerola, C. Soria-Hoyo, M. Garcia-Munoz, E. Viezzer, P. F. Buxton, M. P. Gryaznevich, Y. S. Hwang, K. J. Chung, “Equilibrium Design for the SMART Tokamak”, Fusion Engineering and Design, vol 171, 112706, (2021)
S. J. Doyle, A. R. Gibson, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles and J. P. Dedrick, “Decoupling ion energy and flux in intermediate pressure plasmas utilizing tailored voltage waveforms”, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. Special Edition on Tailored Voltage Waveforms, vol. 29, p. 124002, (2020), doi:10.1088/1361-6595/abc82f
S. J. Doyle, A. Bennet, D. Tsifakis, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles and J. P. Dedrick, “Characterisation and control of an ion-acoustic plasma instability downstream of a diverging magnetic nozzle” – Frontiers In Physics Editor’s Pick 2021, Frontiers in Physics, 8, 24, (2020), doi:10.3389/2020.00024
S. J. Doyle, A. R Gibson, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles and J. P. Dedrick, “Inducing localised beam-like ion energy distribution functions in intermediatepressure plasmas”, Physics of Plasmas 26, 073519 (2019), doi:10.1063/1.5111401
S. J. Doyle, A. R Gibson, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles, and J. P. Dedrick, “Control of electron, ion and neutral heating in a radio-frequency electrothermal microthruster via dual-frequency voltage waveforms”, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., vol. 28, p. 035019, (2019), doi:10.1088/1361-6595/ab0984
S. J. Doyle, A. R Gibson, J. FLatt, T. S. Ho, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles, P. Tian, M. J. Kushner and J. P. Dedrick, “Spatio-temporal plasma heating mechanisms in a radio-frequency electrothermal microthruster”, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., vol. 27, p. 085011, (2018), doi:10.1088/1361-6595/aad79a
S. J. Doyle, T. Lafleur, A. R Gibson, P. Tian, M. J. Kushner and J. P. Dedrick, “Enhanced control of the ionization rate in ratio-frequency plasmas with structured electrodes via tailored voltage waveforms”, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., vol. 26, p. 125005, (2017), doi:10.1088/1361-6595/aa96e5
As co-author (in chronological order):
G. J. Smith, P. Diomede, A. R. Gibson, S. J. Doyle, V. Guerra, M. J. Kushner, T. Gans, and J. P. Dedrick, “Two dimensional simulation comparisons of hydrogen plasma properties using an isothermal or spatially resolved gas temperatures”, In Preparation, J. Phys D: Appl. Phys., (2022)
A. Mancini, S. J. Doyle, J. Segado-Fernandez, J. Ayllon-Guerola, D. Cruz-Zabala, J. Garcia-Dominguez, M. Garcia-Munoz, E. Viezzer, P. F Buxton, K. J. Chung, M. P. Gryaznevich, Y. S. Hwang, and J.Garcia-Lopez, “Electromagnetic, VDE, and disruption analysis in the SMART tokamak”, Fusion Engineering and Design, In Review, (2022).
S. Leigh, S. J. Doyle, G. R. Smith, A. R. Gibson, R. W. Boswell, C. Charles, and J. P. Dedrick, “Efficient low-frequency ionization and plasma heating in a radio frequency electrothermal microthruster”, In Review, J. Phys D: Appl. Phys., (2021)
A. Mancini, J. M. Ayllon-Guerola, S. J. Doyle, M. Agredano-Torres, D. Lopez-Aires, J. Toledo-Garrido, C. Soria-Hoyo, E. Viezzer, M. Garcia-Munoz, P. F. Buxton, K.-J. Chung, J. Garcia-Dominguez, M. P. Gryaznevich, J. Hidalgo-Salaverri, Y.-S. Hwang and J. Segado-Fernandez, “Mechanical and electromagnetic design of the vacuum vessel of the SMART tokamak”, Fusion Engineering and Design, 171, 112542, (2021).
M. Agredano-Torres, J. Garcia-Sanchez, A. Mancini, D. Lopez-Aires, S. J. Doyle, M. Garcia-Munoz, J. Ayllon-Guerola, J. Segado-Fernandez, J. Toledo-Garrido, M. Barragan-Villarejo, P. F. Buxton, K.-J. Chung, J. Garcia-Dominguez, M. Gryaznevich, J. Hidalgo-Salaverri, Y.-S. Hwang, J. Maza-Ortega, C. Soria-Hoyo. “Coils and Power Supply Design for the Small Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART)”, Fusion Engineering and Design, 171, 112543, (2021).
A. R. Gibson, Z. Donko, L. Alelyani, L. Bischoff, G. Hubner, J. Bredin, S. J. Doyle, I. Korolov, K. Niemi, T. Mussenbrock, P. Hartmann, J. P. Dedrick, J. Schulze , T. Gans, D. O’Connell, “Disrupting the spatio-temporal symmetry of the electron dynamics in atmospheric pressure plasmas by voltage waveform tailoring”, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol., vol. 28, p.01LT01, (2019)
Participation in Research Campaigns
1) EUROfusion: Work Package Tokamak Exploitation (WPTE) Experimental Campaign: – (2021):
Group RT08-AUG-DA-1 & 3 – Performed MHD spectrum, mode structure and plasma response simulations employing experimental data from ASDEX-Upgrade discharges with resonant magnetic perturbations.
Group RT11-AUG-DA-3 & 44 – Performed analysis of Fast Ion Loss Detector (FILD) measurements from ASDEX-Upgrade discharges with resonant magnetic perturbations.
Participation in R&D Projects
1) Industrial Consulting: Discrete control of reactive species in nanoscale semiconductor manufacturing via tailored voltage waveforms – (2019-2020):
As the principle researcher, I performed detailed numerical modelling of reactive gases in industrially relent plasma etching sources in collaboration with Oxford Instruments (OI). Research outputs include the application of tailored voltage waveforms to alter ion flux and energy distributions in industrially relevant geometries. Research funded by an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) grant made available by the University of York and awarded to project coordinator James P. Dedrick. Includes monthly visits to the OI labs and regular presentations to the OI R&D team between November 2019 – January 2020.
2) Industrial Consulting: Optimising focused ion beam brightness for applications employing secondary ion mass spectrometry – (2019):
As the principle researcher, I performed numerical modelling of high density, negative ion beam sources in collaboration with Oregon Physics (OP). Research outputs include the creation and validation of an intermediate pressure molecular oxygen reaction set for use in modelling inductively coupled negative ion beam sources. Research funded by an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) grant made available by the University of York and awarded to project coordinator James P. Dedrick. Includes a one month visit, where I planned and executed a spectroscopic experimental campaign within the OP labs in Portland, Oregon in 2019.
3) Academic Collaboration: Inductive Enhancement of Ion Source Densities For Thin-Film Optical Coating Deposition – (2019):
As the principle researcher, I performed numerical modelling of a novel inductively coupled ion beam source for the manufacture of high performance optical filters. Research outputs include creation of simulation geometry and validation against contemporary thermionic sources, including an optimisation of the resulting ion beam energy distribution. Research funded by an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) grant made available by the University of York and awarded to project coordinator Erik Wagennars.
4) Industrial Consulting: Advancing plasma-assisted large-area nanoscale semiconductor manufacturing via structured electrodes – (2019):
As the principle researcher, I performed proof of concept numerical modelling of industrially relent plasma etching sources in collaboration with Oxford Instruments (OI). Research outputs include modification of existing infrastructure to enable enhanced plasma homogeneity in semiconductor etching devices. Research funded by an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) grant made available by the University of York and awarded to project coordinator James P. Dedrick. Includes monthly visits to the OI labs and regular presentations to the OI R&D team between January – June 2019.
Teaching Activities
2020: First year undergraduate MATLAB and Python virtual laboratory demonstration.
2019: Third year undergraduate experimental astrophysics laboratory demonstration including assessment marking.
2018 – 2019: Third year undergraduate theoretical magnetic confinement fusion laboratory demonstration including lecture-style presentations and assessment marking.
2017 – 2019: First year undergraduate python (Spyder) laboratory demonstration including practical coding presentations and assessment marking.
2017 – 2019: First year undergraduate FORTRAN laboratory demonstration including practical coding presentations and assessment marking.
2016 – 2019: Second year undergraduate theoretical astrophysics laboratory demonstration including updating lab script material, software design and oral assessments.
2016 – 2019: First, second and third year undergraduate problem class, workshop marking and oral assessment.
Professional Associations
IOP: Member (MinstP) of the Institute of Physics, 2008 – present
APS: Member (MAPS) of the American Physics Society, 2016 – present
BIS: Member (MBIS) of the British Interplanetary Society, 2016 – present
Scott J. Doyle 