GIUSEPPE CASTRO

Adjunct Professor of Experimental physics [FIS/01]

I received the master degree in physics at the University of Catania, Italy, in 2008, and the Ph.D. degree in physics in 2013 in the same university with a thesis on the Study of innovative plasma heating methods and applications to high current ion sources. .

I am involved from the beginning of his career in the study of plasma physics devoted to application in nuclear physics and ion sources for particle accelerators.

I developed innovative diagnostic methods to be applied to magnetized plasmas (Langmuir Probe Diagnostics, Optical Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray diagnostics, etc.) and participated in the development and commissioning of various ion sources, within international collaborations. Amongst others, I will mention the proton source developed to be the injector of the accelerator complex that constitutes the European Spallation Source (which will become the most powerful neutron source in the world) and the AISHa source, developed for the National Center for Oncological Adrontherapy (CNAO) of Pavia.

In these fields, I authored more than 100 between peer-reviewed and proceedings and gave several talks in the most important topic conferences.  

Education

April 2013

                                                          

 

 PhD in Physics

 University of Catania,

Thesis title: study of innovative plasma heating methods and applications to high current ion sources;

 Supervisors: Dr. S. Gammino, Dr. F. Rizzo, Dr. D. Mascali

 

December 2008

 MSc in Physics

 University of Catania, INFN-LNS                                                                                                 Italy

Thesis title: Studio dei modi di una cavità risonante contenente plasma magnetizzato sostenuto da un campo elettromagnetico a radiofrequenza;

(Study of the resonant modes of a cavity containing magnetized plasma supported by a radiofrequency electromagnetic field)

Research/professional experience

March 2017-now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Temporary staff position– Accelerator physicist

INFN-LNS                                                                                                                                     

  • Responsible of commissioning of the AISHa ion source for hadrontherapy applications;
  • Design of Emittance Measurement Unit;
  • Development of software for emittance measurement;
  • Development of models for correlation between plasma and beam parameters;
  • Author of scientific articles in peer reviewed physics journals and conference proceedings
  • Writer of proposals for European research project funding;
  • Presenting results at Italian and international congress and conferences;

  

Jan. 2013 – Jan. 2017

 

Post-Doc position

 INFN-LNS                                                                                                                                       

  • Commissioning of the proton source for the European Spallation source.
  • Responsible of the Commissioning of the Flexible plasma trap for study of plasma diagnostics:
  • Responsible of the design and of the commissioning of a H2+ source for Isodar Experiment;
  • Responsible of the R&D of plasma diagnostics by Langmuir probe, X-ray detectors and Optical Emission Spectroscopy
  • Author of scientific articles in peer reviewed physics journals and conference proceedings
  • Presenting results at Italian and international meetings and conferences

 

 

Nov. 2009 – Oct. 2012

 

 

PhD in Physics at the university of Catania

 INFN-LNS                                                                                                                                  

  • Study of E.M wave propagation in magnetized plasmas;
  • Expert of generation of overdense plasma in plasma trap and related diagnostics;
  • Responsible of tests for high intensity He+ generation by microwave discharge;

                                                                                                                         

 

Training courses

 2013

  • CERN Accelerator School (CAS) on ion sources , Senec, Slovakia

10 days training on state of art of ion sources and beam transfer in Low Energy Beam Transport.

2012-2013

Course on Accelerator physics and applications (Six months), University of Catania, Italy

 

 

 

Teaching experience

From November 2020

 

From 2014 to 2018

 

From 2015 to 2018

 

Adjunct professor of the course of Physics I at the department of industrial engineer of the university of Catania;

  • Adjunct professor of the course of Physics I devoted to supplementary activities ex at the department of physics of the university of Catania;

Tutor of the course of Physics II at the department of industrial engineer of the university of Catania;

 

Skills

Technical

 

 

  • Strong knowledge of ion source physics;
  • Strong knowledge of plasma physics;
  • Strong knowledge of beam transport in Low Energy Beam Transport also in presence of space charge;
  • Experience of beam commissioning for ECRIS, Proton Sources and H2+ sources;
  • Strong knowledge of plasma diagnostics by invasive (Langmuir probe) and non-invasive (X-ray-optical emission spectroscopy) tools;
  • Strong knowledge of beam diagnostics in LEBT;

 

 Computer

  • Programming languages/Mathematical packages: C, C++ (basics), MATLAB
  • Basic knowledge of Tracewin.
  • Other: MS Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), LaTeX, Linux, Windows
  • Experience in development of algorithms for Plasma and beam diagnostics;

 

 Language

 

  • Italian: Native
  • English: Level B2 (spoken and written)

 

Publications

  •  More than 100 publications on peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

 

Selection of 10 publications:

 

  1. G. Castro et al, Semi-empirical zero-dimensional approach for the estimation of beam features from plasma parameters in proton sources, Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 23, 093402 (2020);
  2. G. Castro et al, Multidiagnostics investigation of the role of the magnetic field profile in a simple mirror trap, Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 22, 053404 (2019);
  3. M. Mazzaglia, G. Castro, et al., Improvement of the characterization of the proton source for the European Spallation Source by means of optical emission spectroscopy  Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 22, 053401 (2019);
  4. G. Castro et al., Time resolved X-ray emission diagnostics in an axis-symmetric simple mirror trap, Journal of Instrumentation 14, C10035 (2019);
  5. L. Celona , G. Calabrese, G. Castro* et al., Experimental characterization of the AISHa ion source, Review of Scientific Instruments 90, 113316 (2019); (*Corresponding author)
  6. G. Castro et al., Overdense plasma generation in a compact ion source, Plasma Sources Science and Technology 26, 055019 (2017);
  7. S. Gammino, L. Celona, D. Mascali, G. Castro* et al., The Flexible Plasma Trap (FPT) for the production of overdense plasmas, Journal of Instrumentation 12, P07027 (2019); (*Corresponding author)
  8. G. Castro et al., A new H2+ source: Conceptual study and experimental test of an upgraded version of the VIS—Versatile ion source, Review of Scientific Instruments 87, 083303 (2016);
  9. G. Castro et al., Enhanced production of He+ from the Versatile Ion Source (VIS) in off-resonance configuration, Review of Scientific Instruments 85, 096109 (2014);
  10. G. Castro et al., Comparison between off-resonance and electron Bernstein waves heating regime in a microwave discharge ion source, Review of Scientific Instruments 83, 02B501 (2012);

 

Fellowships and awards

  • Best oral presentation award at 104rd National Congress of the Italian Physical, second price, September 2018, arcovacata di Rende, Italy.
  • Student grant, financed by CERN (PSI), for attending the Cern accelerator school on Ion sources, May 29 June 8 2012, Senec , Slovakia;

Outreach activities

  • “European Researchers' Night” at INFN-LNS, Catania, Italy, edition 2016 and 2017
  • “Week of scientific and technological culture” at INFN-LNS, Catania, Italy, edition 2015 to 2019
  • “Experimenting by playing, learning by experimenting”, Interactive science exhibition, Catania, Italy, edition 2017 to 2019

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

 

  1. S. Biri et al  Journal of Instrumentation, 16 P03003 (2021);
  2. E. Naselli et al., EPJ Web of Conferences  227, 02006  (2020);
  3. G. Castro, Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, 23, 093402 (2020)
  4. A. Galatà et al., Journal of Instrumentation 14, C12018 (2019);
  5. L Celona et al., Review of Scientific Instruments 90, 113316 (2019);
  6. G. Castro et al, Journal of Instrumentation 14, C10035 (2019);
  7. E. Naselli et al., Journal of Instrumentation 14, C10008 (2019);
  8. G. Castro, Nuovo Cimento C, 42, 224 (2019);
  9. E. Naselli et al., Plasma Source Science and technology, 28, 085021 (2019);
  10. G. Castro et al, Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 22, 053404 (2019);
  11. M. Mazzaglia, G. Castro, et al., Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 22, 05340 (2019);
  12. G. Castro et al., Review of Scientific Instruments 90, 023301 (2019);
  13. G. Torrisi et al., Journal of Instrumentation 14, C01004 (2019);
  14. R. Miracoli, G. Castro et al., Journal of Instrumentation 14, C01016 (2019);
  15. E. Naselli et al., Journal of Instrumentation 13, C12020 (2018)
  16. M. Mazzaglia, G. Castro, Journal of Instrumentation 13, C11014 (2018);
  17. R. Racz et al., Journal of Instrumentation 13, C12012 (2018);
  18. G. Torrisi et al., IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation 67, 2142 (2018);
  19. S. Biri, et al., Journal of Instrumentation 13, C11016 (2018);
  20. M. Giarrusso, et al., Journal of Instrumentation 13, C11020 (2018);
  21. G. Castro et al, AIP Conference Proceedings 2011, 040001 (2018);
  22. A. Caruso et al., Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1067, 042015 (2018);
  23. L. Celona et al., AIP Conference Proceedings 2011, 020019 (2018);
  24. L. Celona et al., AIP Conference Proceedings 2011, 040023 (2018);
  25. G. Castro et al., Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 26 055019 (2017); 
  26. C. Altana et al., EPJ Web of Conferences 165 01002 (2017);
  27. D. Mascali, G. Castro et al., Journal of instrum. 12 C12047 (2017) (Corresponding author);
  28. S. Gammino, et al., Journal of instrum.  12 P07027 (2017) (Corresponding author);
  29. G. Torrisi et al., Journal of Instrumentation 12 C10003 (2017);
  30. R. Rácz et al., Plasma Sources Science and Technology 26 075011 (2017);
  31. G. Castro et al., Journal of Physics: Conference Series 874 012033 (2017) (Corresponding author);
  32. L. Neri et al., Journal of Physics: Conference Series 874 012037 (2017);
  33. G. Torrisi et al., Journal of Physics: Conference Series 874 012034 (2017);
  34. D. Mascali et al., “Modelling RF-plasma interaction in ECR ion sources” EPJ Web of Conferences 157 03054 (2017);
  35. G. Torrisi et al., “Innovative launching schemes in ECR ion sources”, EPJ Web of Conferences 157 03055 (2017);
  36. G. Torrisi, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02B909 (2016);
  37. F. Odorici et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02A740 (2016);
  38. R. Rácz, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02A741 (2016);
  39. L. Neri et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02A505 (2016);
  40. G. Castro et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02A507 (2016);
  41. D. Mascali, G. Castro et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 02A510 (2016);
  42. G. Castro et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 083303 (2016) (Corresponding author);
  43. D. Mascali et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87 095109 (2016);
  44. D. Mascali et al., The European Physical Journal D. 69 27 (2015);
  45. G. Castro et al., Acta polytechnica 55 146 (2015) (Corresponding author);
  46. J. Alonso et al., Journal of Instrum. 10 10 (2015);
  47. G. Torrisi et al., Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Application 28 1085 (2014);
  48. L. Neri et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85 02A723 (2014);
  49. D. Mascali, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85 02A511 (2014);
  50. D. Mascali et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85 02A956 (2014);
  51. G. Castro, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85 096109 (2014) (Corresponding author);
  52. D Mascali, et al., Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 22 065006 (2013);
  53. G. Castro, et al., Appl. Surf. Science 272 59 (2013);
  54. R. Miracoli et al., Rev. Sci.Instrum. 83 056109 (2012);
  55. R. Miracoli et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83 02A305 (2012);
  56. L. Malferrari et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83 02A343 (2012);
  57. G. Castro et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83 02B501 (2012) (Corresponding author);
  58. D. Mascali et al., Nucl. Instr. & Meth. A 653 11 (2011);

 

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Academic Year 2021/2022


Academic Year 2020/2021