Applied Physics | Engineering Internship: Contaminant Diffusion Modelling

Introduction

The Flow Modeling Group at ASML creates high-quality analysis solutions in multiphysics and other multiscale domains to guide design decisions. Currently, a key challenge in our work is to understand and control gas diffusion in vacuum systems to ensure the quality and safety of the environment and process. At low pressures, diffusion occurs in the Knudsen regime, where gas molecules travel longer distances between collisions, making traditional diffusion models ineffective. This requires specialized approaches to accurately predict and manage contaminant behavior.

Your Assignment

In this Master thesis internship, you will understand and analyze the fundamentals of binary diffusion under rarefied conditions in a vacuum chamber. CFD will be used as a primary method to investigate the underlying physics of contaminant diffusion in bulk flow. At the end, the thesis will propose an improvement to the diffusion model being used in CFD for rarefied flow. The proposed models will be validated with the theory, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) results, and the available measurement data.

For this assignment, some of your tasks will include:

• Conduct a literature search on the fundamentals of diffusion mechanisms in low pressure systems;

• Study the influence of pressure, concentration and temperature, ratio of molecular diameter to channel diameter, and molecular length in a binary mixture;

• Estimate the diffusivity;

• Create a model of the gaseous diffusion in a low-pressure chamber in CFD;

• Test the proposed models for Knudsen diffusion;

• Validate the models with theory, DSMC and available measurement data (if any).  

• Report and present your findings.

This is a master graduation internship for 4-5 days a week (3 days on-site) with a duration of 6 to 9 months. The start date is as soon as possible.

Your profile

To be a match for this internship, you:

• Have a background in Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Chemical Engineering;

• Are specializing in fluid dynamics;

• Are skilled in CFD tooling;

• Have strong analytical skills and a problem-solving mentality;

• Have good communication skills in English (verbal and written).

Other requirements you need to meet

• You are enrolled at an educational institute for the entire duration of the internship; 
• Living/studying outside of the Netherlands, your CV/motivation letter includes the willingness to relocate.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Diversity and inclusion

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

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