PhD position in Fabrication and Optical Characterization of Plasmonic Devices based on Two-Dimensional Heterostructures
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
Lyngby-Taarbæk, 1 stilling
The Technical University of Denmark, Department of Photonic Engineering, advertises an open PhD position within the field of plasmonics in low-dimensional materials. The PhD project is multidisciplinary and will cover topics within the fields of plasmonics, 2D materials like graphene and optical measurement. The project will be carried out at DTU Fotonik, with important collaboration with DTU Nanotech and DTU Danchip.
Project description
Surface plasmons (SP) are the collective oscillation of electrons in metallic structures excited by light. Their ability to concentrate light on a deep subwavelength scale gives rise to numerous applications such as on-chip routing of electromagnetic energy and sensing of biological molecules. Recently, it has been demonstrated that 2D materials like graphene can host SP in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Furthemore, by stacking graphene with other 2D materials like hexagonal boron nitride, an insulating cousin of graphene, low-loss plasmonic devices with light confinement as high as ?/100 have been achieved, thereby outperforming existing plasmonic devices fabricated with noble metals. The extreme confinement of infrared light opens the opportunity to design low-loss, on-chip devices for sensing of single organic molecules for biological applications.
The PhD student will be employed at DTU Fotonik (Structured Electromagnetic Materials Group) where he will perform infrared and near-field spectroscopy. He will work in collaboration with DTU Nanotech (Nanocarbon Group) to fabricate high-quality 2D materials heterostructures. DTU Danchip plays an important part in the project since it will provide the necessary facilities for Electron Beam Lithography.
The goal of this PhD project is to develop the technology to fabricate and then measure the characteristics of 2D material heterostructures as well as comparing the obtained characteristics with theoretical ones. The main topics the researcher will tackle within the project are:
•Optimize the transfer technique for obtaining high-quality stacking of 2D materials
•Fabricate advanced 2D materials heterostructures with Electron beam lithography
•Characterize the electronic properties of these heterostructures
•Measure their optical properties with infrared and optical near-field microscopy
•Compare the results with the theoretically predicted characteristics.
Qualifications
The candidate must have a master's degree in engineering (preferably in physics, optics or condensed matter) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. A solid background of cleanroom fabrication or optical measurement setups constitutes an advantage. Good communication skills in written and spoken English is a must. Incorporation date is spring 2015.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, only candidates with an above the average marks are accepted in the program. We recommend the applicants to contact the supervisors in advance to assess the suitability of the application.
Candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programs of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
You can read more about Department of Photonics Engineering on <a href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.fotonik.dtu.dk")' "="" data-cke-saved-href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.fotonik.dtu.dk")'>http://www.fotonik.dtu.dk.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assistant Professor Nicolas Stenger.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current Danish rules for Ph.D. degree researchers. The period of employment is 3 years.
Supervisors
•Professor N. Asger Mortensen, Structured Electromagnetic Materials Group, namo@fotonik.dtu.dk
•Assistant Professor Nicolas Stenger, Structured Electromagnetic Materials Group, niste@fotonik.dtu.dk
•Associate Professor Tim Booth, Nanocarbon Group DTU Nanotech, Tim.Booth@nanotech.dtu.dk
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 8 November 2015. Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
•A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
•Curriculum vitae
•Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (an official translation into English)
•Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and public service. Our staff of 5,800 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 10,300 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies.
