PhD fellowship in non-linear electro-plasmonics (M/F) - "Optical Memristive Memory for a modal plasmonic Arithmetic and Logic Unit.."

Job Description

Thesis Subject

A new class of functional integrated and compact computing devices exploits the optoelectronic properties of noble metals such as gold and silver. The confinement and guiding of light at nanometers scales in the deep sub-wavelength regime thanks to plasmon excitations offer a unique opportunity to design new "all-optical" information transfer and processing paradigms. Our group has recently demonstrated a new concept of arithmetic and logic units (ALU, Fig. 1).1-3
The proposed work will contribute to the ANR POMMARD project, developed at ICB Dijon in collaboration with CEMES and LPCNO Toulouse, that aims at integrating the excitation of a prototypical plasmonic 2x1-bit ALU processor and its computation response.
The experimental PhD fellowship (non-linear photoluminescence, nanofabrication and data analysis) aims at studying the non-linear opto-electronics properties of this new type of integrated plasmonic logic gate devices. The research work will first consist in studying the electro-memristive modulation of the non-linear optical response of the active device, which is associated to the hot electrons generated upon remote fs-pulsed excitation of the plasmonic cavity (Fig. 1c).4. Second, we will explore the reverse effect, namely the optical modulation of the conductance of an electro-plasmonic memristor nanofabricated in the direct vicinity of the processor output. When the hot carriers remotely generated in the direct vicinity of the memristor, energy transfer is expected to induce changes of its conductance state. The memristor will thus be used to readout, a posterior, this optically-triggered event, therefore realizing the first optical memristive memory integrated with the all-optical processor. The underlying physics responsible for this transduction will be thoroughly examined and modelled. At last, the project will aim at demonstrating the storage of the Boolean computation performed by the plasmonic cavity operated as an arithmetic and logic unit in such memristive memories.
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The candidate will carry out the nanofabrication of plasmonic cavities and the memristive circuit using UV and electron-beam lithography and deposition processes in the ICB ARCEN cleanroom.
S/he will characterise the non-linear photoluminescent response (NPL) and excitation efficiency of logic devices using a dedicated non-linear optical microscope.
S/he will develop a new experimental setup and a protocol for memristor forming, excitation, and readout to explore the electro-plasmonic coupling regimes of the cavity and memristor. The static and dynamic effects of electrostatic pulse train characteristics on the optical response, storage efficiency, and remanence will be studied.
Prerequisites: Proven experimental skills in developing non-linear optical setups and in electronic measurements are required. Knowledge of Python programming will be essential.
Practical knowledge of nanofabrication techniques is desirable. A good command of data analysis methods and C1-level spoken and written English are expected.
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Références:
1 - U. Kumar, G. Colas des Francs, A. Bouhelier, E. Dujardin, et al. ACS Photonics, 5, 2328-2335 (2018). (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.8b00137)
2 - U. Kumar, A. Cuche, C. Girard, S. Viarbitskaya, F. Dell'Ova, R. Al Rafrafin, G. Colas des Francs, S. Bolisetty, R. Mezzenga, A. Bouhelier, E. Dujardin. ACS Nano, 15, 13351-13359 (2021). (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c03196)
3 - F. Dell'Ova, Y. Brulé, D. Shakirova, N. Gros, J. Bizouard, A. Leray, A. Bertaux, O. Labbani Narsis, C. Nicolle, G. Colas des Francs, A. Bouhelier, E. Dujardin. ACS Photonics, 11, 752-761 (2024) (https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.3c01624)
4 - D. K Sharma, A. Agreda, F. Dell'Ova, K. Malchow, G. Colas-des-Francs, E. Dujardin, A. Bouhelier. ACS Nano, 18, 15905-15914 (2024) (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c03276)

Your Work Environment

ICB is the largest physics laboratory of Université Bouroggne Europe, with 300 academic staff covering expertise in physics, chemistry and engineering. The candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team of seven academic staff with expertise in experimental and theoretical optical physics (nano-optics, nanoplasmonics, optoelectronics), nanofabrication (light, electron and ion lithography technqiues, materials deposition and patterning), nanocharacterization (SEM/TEM, near-field microscopies, ellipsometry) and physical chemistry. The PRISM team hosts an international group of post-docs, PhD students and undergraduates (currently 10) and relies heavily on two technical platforms, ARCEN (nanofabrication / nanocharacterization) and SmartLight (optics) and associated technical staff.
The candidate will be trained on all relevant nanofabrication and optical set-ups facilities required to the project so as to carry out the research program autonomously. S/he will be benefiting form a collaborative environment with a broad spectrum of expertise encompassing experimental sciences, technological development and theoretical modelling. The team systematically foster participation of team members to national and international conferences. The candidate will have access to CNRS employee's benefits as well as UBE support for career development. (EU label 'HR Excellence in Research').

Constraints and risks

N/A

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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