NETHERLAND; PhD Position 2DQD Project

Job description

We offer a PhD position for 4 years in a European research project investigating the possibilities to use type-II quantum dots in a 2D electronic system for data storage. The task to be done in Eindhoven is first to characterize the structures grown in Lancaster concerning the geometry, position and chemical composition of the quantum dots. This will mainly be done using cross sectional scanning tunneling microscopy XSTM at room temperature. A next step will be to study the electronic properties of the quantum dots and its interaction with the surrounding heterostructure by means of scanning tunneling spectroscopy, also in XSTM geometry. For this work our lab offers an STM operating at low temperature (down to 5K). These 2 parts of the project are rather straightforward, whereas the following tasks will be challenging and might require optimization of the experimental setup. In order to avoid the restriction to a cleaved quantum dot we want to detect scanning tunneling spectroscopy on capped quantum dots in an in-plane geometry. The challenge here will be to handle the capping in order to prepare a sufficiently clean surface and to still be able to address the electronic states of the quantum dots. An even more challenging last part of the project is to detect tip induced luminescence in order to independently map the electronic states of the quantum dots. This task has to cope with the detection of low numbers of photons since type-II quantum dots are needed in order to store data over sufficiently long periods of time.

Technically the PhD project is based on scanning probes, mainly STM and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Since the STMs are operated in ultra high vacuum the candidate must have a strong attitude in experimental physics.

The European framework of the project will offer nice opportunities to interact with colleagues abroad, from e.g. the UK and from Germany.

Requirements

We welcome applications from candidates with a Master degree and an excellent academic record in physics (condensed matter or optical physics). Candidates must prove a strong attitude towards experimental physics. Candidates with engineering or material science background will not be considered.

Conditions of employment

Contract type
Temporary

4 years

Organisation

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven

Department

Department of Applied Physics

The Department of Applied Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology has 15 professorial chairs with about 65 academic and 60 technical specialists, as well as 110 graduate and 375 undergraduate students. The leading research themes cover functional materials, transport physics, and plasma physics and radiation technology. The department has extensive national and international partnerships, including industrial partners. It participates in several national (top) research schools, and in two national top technology institutes: Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI) and Materials Innovation Institute (M2i). Eindhoven University of Technology is one of the three participants in the Dutch 3TU Federation of Universities of Technology.

Additional information

Dr. J.K. Garleff
040-2473157