PhD scholarships on Fabrication and Nanoelectromechanical Control of Photonic Nanocavities

A recent discovery has shown that it is possible to confine light at length scales much below the conventional diffraction limit in semiconductors. Previously, this was only considered possible in metals through the excitation of plasmons, which unfortunately are associated with large optical losses. This new discovery opens tremendous possibilities for realizing a new regime of strong light-matter interaction, with important applications in quantum technology as well as the “holy grail” of integrating photonics and electronics. Enabled by a major grant from the Danish National Research Foundation, a number of Departments at the Technical University of Denmark are joining forces in the Center for Nanophotonics (NanoPhoton) to explore this new research field of extreme dielectric confinement.

We are looking for a PhD student, with a physics or engineering degree, who has excelled in her/his studies and is now interested in working at the forefront of a new research field. The research in NanoPhoton addresses several fields, and our current students and staff span strong backgrounds and interests in diverse fields, including quantum optics, nanotechnology, mathematical modelling, inverse design, laser physics, integrated photonics, semiconductors, nanofabrication, and spectroscopy. The project will build on recent breakthroughs at our department (https://arxiv.org/abs/2108.01681 ) and aims to build tunable nanocavities using nanoelectromechanical systems and carry out a new series of experiments on catholodoluminescence using a unique setup that we are soon installing in our labs. The goal is partly to provide direct in-situ monitoring of nanoelectromechanical devices in scanning electron microscopy and partly to reach unprecedented cavity dimensions and explore new regimes of nanophotonics.

The successful candidates will interact with a dedicated team of highly motivated researchers, where we emphasize strong interaction between experiment and theory, independent thinking, and team spirit.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The present position includes a strong element of nanofabrication but optical and electromechanical measurements are important as well. Depending on the interests and qualifications of the candidate, numerical design and analysis may also be an important aspect. Experience with experimental silicon photonics, nanoelectronics, numerical analysis, and/or nanofabrication is an advantage but we welcome applications from students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance in adjacent fields. Most importantly, we seek highly motivated and excellent students with an interest teamwork at the highest international level. Some of the main responsibilities and tasks include:

• Nanofabrication of photonic cavities using our state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities at DTU Nanolab.
• Integration of nanocavities with nanoelectromechanical systems towards tunable cavity devices.
• Characterization of nanocavities using optical and electrical methods.
• In-situ characterization of tunable nanocavities using scanning electron microscopy.
• Exploring novel methods for waveguide-coupled cathodoluminesence.
• Numerical design and analysis (depending on the qualifications and interests of the applicant).

Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Candidates with a strong background within nanofabrication, optics and photonics, quantum optics, materials science, or applied mathematics are preferred.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide .

Assessment
Candidates will be assessed by a panel consisting of Assoc. Prof. Søren Stobbe and Prof. Jesper Mørk .

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The salary of PhD students in Denmark is high, with the approximate salary per year currently being DKK 382,000 (EURO 51,200) including pension. More information: Salary paid to PhD students .

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Søren Stobbe, [email protected] .

You can read more about the NanoPhoton center here: https://nanophoton.dtu.dk .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .  

Application
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than22 September 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

NanoPhoton
The research vision of NanoPhoton - Center for Nanophotonics (https://nanophoton.dtu.dk/ ) – is to explore the hitherto inaccessible regime of extreme dielectric confinement of light in optical cavities and to apply the associated enhanced light-matter interaction to solve fundamental outstanding challenges in chip-scale information technology. To this end, we will develop the science and technology for a new class of optical nanostructures by combining fundamental electromagnetic and quantum optical theory with state-of-the-art nanofabrication and advanced experimental characterization techniques.  

The Nanophotonics Section at DTU Fotonik
DTU Fotonik has 210 employees and is one of the largest research centers in the world focusing entirely on photonics. Research is performed within nanophotonics, photonic nanotechnology, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, and bio-photonics. The Nanophotonics section combines expertise in the synthesis and handling of nanomaterials, the fabrication of nanoscale devices, and theoreticians employing a wide palette of analytical and numerical techniques to provide better understanding of and control over the fundamental properties of light-matter interactions and in this way realizing new nanophotonic devices for emerging information and quantum technology.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.