General information
Reference : UPR2940-FLOPOI-075
Workplace : GRENOBLE
Date of publication : Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Scientific Responsible name : Gwénolé Jacopin
Type of Contract : PhD Student contract / Thesis offer
Contract Period : 36 months
Start date of the thesis : 1 October 2022
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : 2 135,00 € gross monthly
Description of the thesis topic
The performance optimization of optoelectronic devices requires a precise knowledge of the semiconductor materials properties at the nanoscale. If temperature is one of the most basic parameters influencing any physical or chemical process, the traditional strategies to measure temperature cannot easily be applied to the nanoscale. Among the different solutions, temperature dependent luminescence properties of nano-diamonds have proven to be good contact-free temperature sensors, with a resolution only limited by the light diffraction. This technique allows to reach a spatial resolution of 500 nm at best.
In this context, the aim of the PHD thesis is to combine electron and optical microscopy techniques to develop the next generation of temperature nano-sensing (expected spatial resolution: 50 nm). Indeed, thanks to their reduced wavelength, fast electrons can be used as a highly localized excitation source for luminescence measurements. This technique is called cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. At the Institut Néel, you will benefit from a dedicated, state-of-the-art CL setup combining cryogenic temperatures (4 K-300 K), fast electronics (50 ps) and optical access.
During his/her PhD, the student will start with nano-diamonds with the goal to continue on bulk diamonds. The developed method will find practical applications as a new tool to investigate nanoscale heat transfer, a process of not only fundamental interest but also technological importance.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Contributing to the designing stage of the experimental setup coupling light- and electron-matter interactions
- Developing innovative strategies to develop a temperature probe thanks to cathodoluminescence spectroscopy
- Contributing to the interpretation and analysis of the acquired data.
In completing these tasks, you will work side-by-side with colleagues having state-of-the art knowledge in material science and optical spectroscopy.
The candidate should have a master 2 in Nanosciences or equivalent, with a marked interest in experimental physics, material growth and optics. Fluent English communication skills, both in speaking and writing, are mandatory. The candidate should be able to work in a team in the context of a wide range of collaborations and be used to developing computer code, especially in Python.
Work Context
The Institut NEEL, UPR 2940 CNRS, 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 is located in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment. It is part of one of Europe's biggest high-tech environment in micro- and nanoelectronics, right next to the French Alpes.
Within the Néel Institute, the SC2G team is specialized in the experimental study of electronic and optoelectronic devices based on wide band gap semiconductors from the growth of these materials to their applications.
The Institut NEEL is a CNRS laboratory. CNRS is a public, scientific and technological organisation.
The core mandate is to identify, carry out or have carried out, either alone or with partners, all research that advances science or contributes to the country's economic, social, and cultural progress. Internationally recognised for the excellence of its scientific research, the CNRS is a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public.
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