Ph.D. (M/F): Study and development of optical kinetic inductance detector (KID) arrays for the AMINO project

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Study and development of optical kinetic inductance detector (KID) arrays for the AMINO project

The MKID (Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector) is an LC resonator made from superconducting materials, whose frequency and phase are altered by the absorption of incident photons. This frequency shift then allows the arrival of the photon to be detected and, through calibration, its energy to be determined. MKIDs can operate in photon-counting mode, enabling spectrophotometry without the need for a dispersion system in the optical path. The frequency multiplexing of MKIDs enables the implementation of arrays comprising several thousand pixels that can be read in parallel by a single readout line. Here, each pixel, or LC circuit, has its own resonance frequency. MKIDs are an innovative detection technology that will open up a wide range of applications in astronomy and astrophysics.

However, current MKIDs have a low resolution of R = λ/Δλ, which is 4. This resolution must be improved to 20 at 550 nm to meet the requirements of the new AMINO project (Advanced Multi-spectral Imaging using Novel wavefront sensors with Optical photon-counting detectors). This can be achieved both by improving detector performance and by implementing new signal processing algorithms. Led by the LIRA laboratory, AMINO will enable multispectral imaging using new wavefront analyzers with MKIDs operating in photon-counting mode. These new MKIDs will be designed for the detection and study of exoplanets.

Missions
Development of kinetic inductance detectors operating in the near-infrared and visible spectrum at LUX, at the Paris Observatory, in close collaboration with its partners LIRA at the Paris Observatory and APC at the University of Paris. The PhD student will specifically participate in the implementation of new optical MKID geometries by studying their performance at very low temperatures (≤100 mK). The PhD student will also participate in the development of the instrument, which includes, in particular, a 100 mK cryostat and dedicated fast-readout electronics.

Activities
- Development and optimization of microfabrication processes for optical MKID detectors.
- Participation in the design of superconducting microwave circuits for the detection of photons in the visible and near-infrared spectrum using electromagnetic simulation software.
- Characterization of the physical and superconducting properties (resistivity, critical temperature, etc.) of the materials from which the detectors will be fabricated.
- Participation in the characterization of fabricated detectors in a cryogenic environment and analysis of the results.
- Participation in the integration of MKID arrays into the instrument's readout system.

Required Skills
The candidate must have a strong background in:
- Solid-state physics,
- Cleanroom nano- and microtechnology (thin-film deposition techniques, photolithography, electron microscopy, etc.),
- Thin-film characterization (stress, resistivity, etc.),
- Measurement and characterization of detectors at sub-Kelvin temperatures.

He or she will work as part of a team but must also demonstrate independence, rigor, and initiative. The candidate must be able to synthesize their work and promote it through publications and presentations at international conferences.

Your Work Environment

The AMINO project is establishing a collaborative network bringing together leading experts in optics, electronics, and astrophysics from four French laboratories located in Nice, Marseille, Meudon, and Paris. This PhD program in astronomical instrumentation for future space missions lies at the intersection of engineering and astrophysics, offering a unique interdisciplinary opportunity in a highly promising field. It is an excellent opportunity for candidates wishing to pursue a high-level academic career, but it also opens up exciting employment prospects within space agencies or companies in the fields of electronics, aerospace, or advanced instrumentation.
The successful candidate will join the Instrumental Research and Development Group at LUX, one of the laboratories of the Paris Observatory, which is also a Joint Research Unit of the CNRS. He or she will also work closely with the LIRA at Paris Observatory, as well as the APC at University of Paris Cité. The thesis will be co-supervised by Faouzi Boussaha (LUX) and Pierre Baudoz (LIRA).

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

The research professions