PhD position on “Photonic integrated circuits for UV Raman sensing of biomolecules”

We are looking for a PhD candidate to develop and study photonic integrated circuits operating at ultraviolet wavelength for on-chip Raman spectroscopy, in view of biomedical applications.

Context:

For ten years, the Photonic Research Group (PRG) has built a world-renowned expertise in silicon-nitride-based photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for biological Raman spectroscopy and sensing. To further push the detection limit of on-chip Raman sensors toward ultimate values that would be relevant for biomedical applications, PICs that are compatible with UV light are foreseen as a promising approach, in particular because this allows to take advantage of resonant enhancement of Raman scattering. It requires however a paradigm shift in terms of material platform and design strategies in line with large-volume fabrication. The primary objective of the PhD project is to develop a new photonic integrated platform for on-chip UV Raman spectroscopy, in a way that is compatible with the materials and processes found in a CMOS-foundry. Major breakthroughs are expected in this new field.

Job description:

The position will encompass simulations, design, fabrication and optical characterization of UV photonic integrated circuits (PICs) as well as the implementation of on-chip UV Raman sensing in a suitably chosen biomedical application