• Integration of the STXM X-ray microscope with the VLM optical microscope.

Supervisor: to be determined, Implementation: Recruitment is ongoing, Contact at SOLARIS: Krzysztof Matlak
Short description: Imaging with a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM), which provides a resolution of several dozen nanometers, requires prior characterization of samples that are typically a few millimeters in size. Without such pre-selection, scanning the entire sample at nanometer resolution is excessively time-consuming and results in inefficient use of valuable synchrotron beam time. Therefore, it is essential to pre-select regions of interest (ROIs) using techniques with a larger field of view.
For this purpose, a NIKON visible-light optical microscope (VLM) equipped with an X-Y stage and digital positioning control is used. The system enables rapid preliminary sample analysis, including thickness assessment, ROI identification, and inspection of membrane window integrity.
The aim of this master's thesis is to develop a system supporting the experimental workflow at STXM by integrating optical imaging (VLM) with the X-ray microscope positioning system. The developed solution will enable the acquisition of sample images together with their precise coordinates relative to a reference point, as well as their subsequent use within the STXM control environment. This will allow rapid and repeatable localization of selected ROIs on a sample mounted in the STXM microscope piezoscanner.
An integral part of the thesis will involve participation in real experiments conducted at the STXM station on the DEMETER synchrotron beamline, including measurements and analysis of the acquired experimental data.

• Implementation of the TEY (Total Electron Yield) detection mode in the STXM microscope.

Supervisor: to be determined, Implementation: Recruitment is ongoing, Contact at SOLARIS: Tomasz Strączek
Short description: The subject of this master's thesis is the extension of the STXM microscope’s research capabilities through the implementation of the TEY (Total Electron Yield) detection mode. This technique, based on the measurement of the sample current generated by the emission of secondary electrons, enables the investigation of the chemical state of materials (e.g., oxidation state and local atomic environment) and, under appropriate conditions, their magnetic properties.
In contrast to the standard transmission mode, TEY allows the examination of opaque samples as well as samples that are too thick for transmission measurements, significantly broadening the range of possible experiments. Consequently, the implementation of this detection mode represents an important step toward more versatile use of the STXM microscope.
The project has an experimental and instrumentation-oriented character and includes the integration of the measurement chain (picoammeter, signal conversion, and an FPGA-based data acquisition system) with the existing microscope control software. The student will have the opportunity to work with advanced scientific instrumentation and participate in the commissioning of a new measurement functionality intended for real experimental applications, including experiments using synchrotron radiation at the DEMETER beamline.

• Optimization of information flow in ptychographic measurements.

Supervisor: to be determined, Implementation: Recruitment is ongoing, Contact at SOLARIS: Krzysztof Matlak
Short description: Ptychography is one of the advanced operating modes of a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM), used for the reconstruction of images with high spatial resolution. The method is based on recording a series of diffraction patterns from consecutive points of a sample, which are subsequently processed numerically to reconstruct its structure in real space. This technique generates large volumes of data and requires strict synchronization between the components of the measurement system, including the microscope, detector camera, and control system. Therefore, one of the key challenges is ensuring efficient and stable data flow, as well as proper preparation of input data for image reconstruction.
The aim of this master's thesis is to prepare and commission a ptychography measurement setup (sample environment and detector system) at the STXM station of the DEMETER beamline at the SOLARIS synchrotron, and to develop and optimize the diffraction data processing workflow. The project will include integration and optimization of communication between the components of the data acquisition system (microscope, camera, and computer), selection and validation of reconstruction input parameters, and development of a coherent environment for managing the entire measurement process.
An integral part of the thesis will involve participation in ptychographic experiments carried out at the DEMETER beamline, as well as reconstruction and analysis of images based on real experimental data collected during synchrotron measurements.

• Development of a calibration system for STXM microscope optical components using machine vision techniques.  

Supervisor: to be determined, Implementation: Recruitment is ongoing, Contact at SOLARIS: Tomasz Strączek
Short description: The aim of this master's thesis is to develop and implement a calibration system for the optical components of a Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM) using machine vision techniques. Precise calibration of the microscope’s optical elements is essential for ensuring high-quality imaging and accurate measurements, while simultaneously reducing the need for time-consuming manual procedures.
As part of the project, the student will be responsible for developing software based on the existing vision system for automatic recognition of the positions of selected optical components of the microscope. Identification of these elements may be performed using specially designed markers or characteristic geometric features. The developed image-processing algorithms should enable object detection, analysis of their positions within the camera field of view, and precise measurement of relative distances between components.
The scope of the work also includes integration of the developed software with the existing vision-system infrastructure, as well as verification of the correctness and accuracy of the proposed calibration method. The outcome of the project will be a tool supporting automatic calibration of the STXM microscope optical system, potentially contributing to improved repeatability of alignment procedures, reduced calibration time, and minimization of operator-related errors.
The thesis has an application-oriented character and combines topics related to optics, automation, image analysis, and programming of measurement systems.

• Optimization of processing and analysis of measurements results from a PEEM microscope.

Scientific supervisor: Paweł Nita,  Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Anna Mandziak
Short description: The proposed master's thesis will be divided into two parts. The first part will be focused on research on the DEMETER beamline at the photoemission electron microscope PEEM end-station. The candidate will be obliged to learn the basics of the PEEM microscope, sample preparation in the UHV environment and perform measurements by using PEEM and related techniques in collaboration with beamline scientist. The main part of the work will be devoted to the development of software for processing, analysis and visualization of experimental data (in Python). The main goal is to implement advanced image processing algorithms to optimize the data analysis process. The proposed topic combines issues related to modern solid state physics / materials engineering and broadly understood data science.

• Measurement of the synchrotron beam properties at POLYX beamline in SOLARIS.

Scientific supervisor: Paweł Korecki, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Katarzyna Sowa
Short description: The aim of the proposed MSc thesis is to measure the spatial end energetic parameters of the X-ray beam generated at the beamline PolyX that is under construction at National Synchrotron Radiation Center SOLARIS in Kraków.
The candidate will join the activities of an interdisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and engineers at SOLARIS and will have the possibility to join the commissioning and first experimental operation of the new beamline PolyX. The PhD program will be realized at the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Science in the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science (Jagiellonian University). The thesis will be realized at Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science.

• Analysis of low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) with measurement and interpretation of I (V) curves of 2D crystals.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, SOLARIS contact: Natalia Olszowska
Short description: As part of the work, the student should become familiar with the LEED technique and measurement software. As part of the work, the student is to optimize the parameters of the software and update the software. As part of the work, the student will measure and analyze the crystal structure of graphene-like materials such as GaS, PtS2, asenene, and others. Comparison LEED diffraction pattern of 2D crystals with 3D crystals with and without superstructure or surface reconstruction. In addition, it will measure and analyze the I (V) curves for the tested materials.

• Band structure modification of Weyl type II semimetal by deposition adatoms to the surface of the material.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Natalia Olszowska
Short description: Measurement of the band structure of Weyl type II semimetal (eg NbAs2) and its modification by applying adatoms to the surface of the material. The applied materials will be arsenic and alkali metals. Alkali metals will be deposited to investigate the conductivity bands. Arsenic atoms will be deposited to form an arsenic layer on an As-terminated NbAs2 substrate. The data analysis should reveal the volume - valence and conduction bands, the surface termination-dependent bands, and the 2D bands of the arsenic layer.

• Optimization of the Sherman function for spin filters on the URANOS beamline.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Natalia Olszowska
Short description: The main purpose of the work will be to prepare the targets in spin filters - iron oxide layers on tungsten, their optimization, and measurement of the Sherman function and reflection coefficient. Optimization measurements will be performed on reference samples with observed Rashba splitting, e.g. on the Au surface (111).

• Preparation of the system with perpendicular magnetization for its use to study polarization degree of the synchrotron light.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Anna Mandziak
Short description: The source of synchrotron radiation at the DEMETER beamline is an elliptically polarized undulator EPU. This device produces synchrotron radiation of variable polarization: linear, horizontal and vertical, circular and elliptical. The latter are used to study magnetic materials, in particular ferro- and ferrimagnetic ones. In order to fully characterize studied material, it is necessary to know the degree of polarization of the beam produced by the undulator. One of the methods of measuring the radiation polarization coming from undulator source is to use samples with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, i.e. samples in which the magnetization will be directed perpendicular to the surface plane (out of plane). The aim of the thesis is to prepare, by means of the molecular beam epitaxy MBE, thin magnetic layers, e. g. Co-Gd (multilayers) on a silicon nitride membrane. These layers will be then examined in scanning transmission x-ray microscope STXM. Detailed characterization, i.e. measurement of NEXAFS absorption spectra and magnetic circular dichroism XMCD, will be used to determine the polarization of the beam from the EPU undulator.

• Design and manufacture of a wire winder to produce a coil.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Jarosław Wiechecki
Short description: Due to the development of the Magnet and Power Supply Section and the prospect of new research projects, there is a need to build a wire winder. The task of the master's student will be to create a conceptual and executive design of a device that will precisely wind a wire of a specific cross-section onto a hoof of a defined shape. The design must be universal enough to allow the system parameters to be changed in the future to be able to produce coils with different parameters. The quality of the project will be confirmed by theoretical calculations.

• Diagnostic system for premature failure detection of the infrastructure at Solaris synchrotron.

Scientific supervisor: to be determinated, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Jarosław Wiechecki
Short description: The Solaris synchrotron is a unique research facility in Poland. Due to the multitude of subsystems and the increased risk of failure, it is crucial to create a system that can counteract, prevent, or predict failures in strategic groups of devices. The master's student's task will be to analyze selected groups of devices with a view to monitoring their operating parameters, select additional sensors to support diagnostics, develop an algorithm to predict their service life based on reading signals from sensors available in the system, and propose a diagnostic system to analyze the collected data. The designed system should be scalable and universal, meaning the measurement system should be able to connect additional signals and must be designed with enough versatility and intuitiveness to enable installation in various subsystems.

• Non-standard forms of promotion in NSRC SOLARIS communication with scientists.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Agnieszka Cudek
Short description: The National Synchrotron Radiation Centre is a unique research facility in the country, therefore the promotional activities undertaken go beyond the framework of standard activities. Although NSRC SOLARIS operates under the auspices of the Jagiellonian University, the unit undertakes independent activities in order to achieve its strategic objectives. The profile of the research facility and the profile of the target group (audience) determine the strategy undertaken by NSRC SOLARIS to build a recognizable brand. The aim of the thesis will be to identify and describe the actions taken, analyze their effectiveness and develop further strategies for the future.

• Popularization of science as a way to build a recognizable brand of a research institute.

Scientific supervisor: to be determined, Implementation status: recruitment is ongoing, SOLARIS contact: Agnieszka Cudek
Short description: National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS is a unique research unit, whose main strategic objectives are based on providing access to research infrastructure for researchers. At the same time, equally important are the science popularization activities and building the awareness of the synchrotron presence in Poland. Each year the employees of the Center undertake a number of activities opening its doors to the general public. The aim of the diploma thesis will be to analyze the actions taken, together with the construction of a "persona" of the recipients of these actions, to assess the effectiveness of promotional campaigns, and to outline a strategy for the coming years to reach the widest possible audience.