Internship | Metasurface Based Filter for Compressive Sensing Techniques

About this internship

Space spectrometers can accurately analyse the spectrum of the atmosphere on any locations on Earth. Such information is used by scientists to elaborate accurate models to predict the effects on the environment and climate. Space instruments, which are often very complex and expensive, must also be extremely reliable. Therefore, any simplification of the instrument, reduction of its mass and size and reduction of processing power on board is of paramount importance. This project aims at the elaboration of an innovative concept of space spectrometer, that addresses all the above critical aspects, based on compressive sensing techniques enabled by metasurface filters.

Internship | Metasurface Based Filter for Compressive Sensing Techniques

What will be your role?

The internship project will focus on the design and experimental characterization of one of the enabling key components of the innovative spectrometer concept elaborated at TNO: a metasurface filter to perform the required spectral measurements for the compressive sensing algorithm, used in the accurate reconstruction of the atmosphere spectrum.
The student will perform the following tasks:

• design and optimization of the metasurface filter;
• experimental characterization in the lab of a hardware demonstrator produced by TNO;
• accurate analysis of the results.

During the internship project, the student will be assisted by TNO staff members working on optical metasurfaces and space instruments.

What we expect from you

The candidate should have a good background knowledge of Electromagnetic Theory and Optics.
He should preferably have some experience with:

• commercial electromagnetic modelling tools (e.g. ANSYS HFSS and/or ANSYS LUMERICAL and/or CST STUDIO and/or COMSOL);
• programming in MATLAB/PHYTON;
• experience in optical lab tests.

This internship is best suited for MSc final projects, with a duration of 8 months.

What you'll get in return

TNO attaches a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.

‘The things we are researching today will be standard in about ten to fifteen years’ time.’ Giampiero Gerini Principal Scientist in the Optics department

As far as he is concerned, research is always a combination of ground-breaking innovation and application driven research with the objective of addressing relevant societal challenges. Connecting the more fundamental research of the academic world and the applied research and development of TNO can guarantee the maturation of very innovative technologies and novel system concepts to higher readiness level and can finally lead to their transfer to the industrial world.