PhD student (M/F): Fabrication of nanohelices derived from the self-assembly of block copolymer for optically active surfaces.

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Missions
The creation of dense nanoarrays of helices with controlled orientation and chirality at large scale opens promising perspectives for the development of materials with unprecedented optical properties, including negative refractive index metamaterials. Such architectures could also enable the design of surfaces exhibiting strongly enhanced, or even giant, optical activity.
However, the fabrication of well-ordered chiral nanostructures remains a major challenge for conventional lithography techniques. In this context, this PhD project, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), aims to develop an original strategy based on the self-assembly of chiral block copolymers (BCPs*) to produce nanohelix arrays. For this purpose, the PhD candidate (M/F) will fabricate nanostructured films containing out-of-plane oriented helical domains, whose chirality is induced during the self-assembly of specifically designed BCP* chains.
In a second step, these nanodomains will be infiltrated using suitable electrolyte solutions, for example gold salt-based solutions, in order to generate long-range ordered nanoarrays of metallic helices. The resulting materials will then be investigated through advanced structural and optical characterizations. These experimental studies will be complemented by modelling work carried out in collaboration with partners of the ANR consortium, in order to establish structure-chirality-optical property relationships and define design rules for highly optically active surfaces.

Activities
- Fabrication of nanostructured films endowed with helices derived from the self-assembly of block copolymers synthesized in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO).
- Structural characterization using AFM, SEM, and GISAXS of BCP*-based nanostructures before and after plasma etching and infiltration with relevant electrolyte solutions.
- Analysis of the relationship between nanoscale architecture and optical properties.

Skills and profile
- Background in materials science and physical chemistry, with a focus on polymers.
- Experience in polymer film fabrication (block copolymers preferred, though not mandatory) will be highly appreciated.
- The candidate should be motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.
- Strong interest in nanomaterials, self-assembly, and nanophotonics is expected.

Your Work Environment

Working environment
The PhD position is funded by the ANR and will be hosted at the Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), within the Interfaces, Physico-chemistry and Polymers (IP2) team, affiliated with the Université de Montpellier and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS).
The project will be conducted in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO), the Laboratoire des Technologies de la Microélectronique (LTM), and the Institut de Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et des Nano-objets (CBMN).

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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