Missions

For fundamental thermal science dedicated to nanomaterials, no mature solution to the issue of thermal measurement at the nanoscale currently exists. In ANTICHI our goal is to provide a versatile instrument that allows analysing in highly controlled experimental conditions thermal mesoscale processes to understand the fundamental nature of heat transport as well as measuring the heat conduction properties of materials at nanoscales. For that purpose, the project aims the development and the demonstration of a unique vacuum scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) instrument enabling thermal in contact-measurements in cryogenic conditions with both a nanoscale spatial resolution and an ability to evaluate sensitively the nanoscale heat transport over an extended temperature range (from 100 K to 300 K). Designed to deliver this, it includes the development of a new SThM probe based on NbN resistive thermometry along with the necessary new instrumentation to improve its performances for cryogenic measurements (WP1), (2) a novel dual scanning thermal and electron microscopy (SThM-SEM) engine equipped with a cooling stage for bringing the sample at a temperature varying from 100 K to 300 K and using the new NbN SThM probe (WP2&WP3). Additionally, as surface wear and contamination induce strong uncertainties in SThM measurement, the hybrid instrument will be optimized for probe and sample in-situ cleaning. Adapted software and models will be set up for data processing and analysis.
Lastly, the instrument capabilities evaluation will be carried out using protocols and reference samples, which were designed previously for that purpose in collaboration with European national metrology institutes. The instrument laboratory demonstration with a sample reference for its low-temperature behaviour will be the final project achievement.

Activities

Your mission as a postdoctoral fellow is to ensure the design and microfabrication of thermal tips as mastered by the CNRS; these tips are intended to be used for thermal measurement at the nanometric scale at the temperature of liquid nitrogen. The cutting-edge technological development of the SThM-AFM will be used to measure the thermal conductivity of ultra-thin films as well as to search for hot spots. The chips will be manufactured internally in our Nanofab clean room, tested by the TPS team in the experimental laboratory and then sent to our partners at ANTICHI in Lyon (CETHIL, ILM). You will ensure the technological development of these tips as well as their manufacture in a clean room by developing the most suitable manufacturing processes. Finally, you will be in charge of their characterization and measurement.

Skills

Doctor in physics (low noise electric measurement, thermal measurements at the nansocale, microelectronics technique, nanofabrication), you have a few years of experience in experimental development and measurement, but also in micro and nanofabrication; experience in near field AFM and possibly (nano) thermal measurement and measurement would be a plus.
Curious and open-minded, you are a person connected to the experimental bench, comfortable with experimental physics, you have knowledge of materials, lithography (optical and electronics) and you like disruptive nanotechnologies.
Finally, you are comfortable in English, rigorous, motivated by taking risks.
Other expected skills:
- strong experience in electrical and thermal measurement set-up
- microelectronic technologies (lithography, etching, materials deposition, etc.)
- manipulations and measurement in temperature regulated environment.

Internal training for adaptation to the position:
- low noise level electrical measurement (voltmeter, Lock-in amplifier, AFM, SThM, SEM microscopy, clean room processes, etc.).
- clean room processes
- characterization tools (SEM, etc.)
- handling and thermal measurements by AFM/SThM, low temperature measurement.

Work Context

You will work at l'Institut NEEL-CNRS, in the TPS team ("Thermodynamics and biophysics of small systems") on an innovative project selected and financially supported by the ANR by the ANTICHI project; a collaborative project between fundamental physics lab CETHIL and ILM in Lyon. Potential application will result from the research pursued here. Publications and/or patents will be at the core of the valorization of the results of the project with the different partners.

The Institut NÉEL is a CNRS unit (UPR 2940) under agreement with the University Grenoble Alpes. The laboratory is related to the CNRS Physique. It is located in Grenoble, in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment. It is one of the largest French national research institutes for fundamental research in condensed matter physics enriched by interdisciplinary activities at the interfaces with chemistry, engineering and biology. It consists of 450 employees, including 175 researchers.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.