PhD position in "RF Circulators based on 3D Cavity Magnonics" - MSCA Cofund SEED programme

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

IMT Atlantique

Department

Doctoral division

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126644

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The PhD position is offered under academic cosupervision/ cotutelle track (2 years at IMT Atlantique + 1 year at University of West Australia, Perth, Australia + short industrial visits.
1.1. Domain and scientific/technical context

Cavity magnonics is an emerging research field that investigates light-matter interactions within magnetism, specifically the interactions between cavity photons and magnons, the quanta of spin waves based on the magnetic dipole interaction. At the core of cavity magnonics are cavity-magnon polaritons (CMPs) which are the associated bosonic quasiparticles to hybridized cavity magnon-photon states in the strong coupling regime. Cavity magnonics kicked off theoretically in 2010 [1] and shortly after experimentally with the demonstration of CMPs both in the quantum regime at millikelvin (mK) temperatures and in the classical regime at room temperature (RT) [2,3]. Due to the broad range of applicability and underlying fundamental physics from quantum to classical systems, it has attracted broad interest from various research communities [4]. Novel magnon-based devices (such as transducers, quantum memories and logics) may provide an efficient information processing platform.

1.2. Scientific/technical challenges

Microwave circulators are typically composed of a Y-junction transmission line and ferrite materials. However, they are usually treated as a simple black box in experiments, where their internal modes involving spin excitations exhibit too much loss and are too complex to be analyzed. In addition, most of these devices suffer from a lack of tunability (working frequency and bandwidth). Hybrid systems that couple two or more dynamic excitations are a promising solution to obtain the missing functionality. CMPs can be engineered by chiral excitation to build nonreciprocal devices. The interaction with chiral microwave photons [5] follows a selection rule: only magnons and photons of the same chirality interact with each other, while the interaction of magnons and photons of opposite chirality is forbidden. Here, the system, represented by three coupled harmonic oscillators, will be used to achieve nonreciprocity with isolation better than 50 dB.

1.3. Considered methods, targeted results and impacts

We will focus on the study of a 3D cavity that supports clockwise and counter-clockwise circularly polarized photons in free-space. Prior manufacturing cavities, their frequency and magnetic field response will be optimized via COMSOL Multiphysics. The development of innovative 3D prototyping and metallization of plastic parts will permit the construction of unconventional and untested geometries with unique electromagnetic properties to explore previously off-limits regimes for these systems. We envisioned that 3D printed metallized cavities could lead to a breakthrough due to their design flexibility and reproducibility. Furthermore, if this disruptive technology for cavity manufacturing could be proven to produce cryogenic capable devices, a raft of applications and research fields could take advantage. The cryogenic experimental space is becoming of greater and greater importance as quantum technologies begin to take shape and move closer to industry applications.

1.4. Environment (partners, places, specific tools and hardware)

We are a part of the NSF team at Lab-STICC (UMR 6285) within IMT Atlantique's Microwave Department. NSF team operates at the intersection of spin dynamics and photonics. We utilize an RF measurement setup that includes a Lakeshore EM7-HV electromagnet with 60 mm poles and a variable air gap spanning from 5 mm to 133.5 mm. This setup is powered by a Danfysik bipolar power supply 9700-6 kW, enabling us to apply magnetic fields of up to 2.25 T. In addition, we possess a network analyzer capable of operating up to 43.5 GHz. On the simulation front, we have access to licenses for HFSS, ADS, and two COMSOL Multiphysics licenses, which are indispensable tools for designing complex systems like cavity magnonics devices. Our work environment is highly dynamic and comprises several Ph.D. researchers. We have established numerous international collaborations, as evident from our recent publications, and we are committed to ensuring our Ph.D. researchers are represented at prominent conferences.

2. Partners and study periods
2.1. Supervisors and study periods

• IMT Atlantique: Assoc. Prof. Vincent Castel , IMT Atlantique, Brest, France

  The PhD student will stay 2 years at Prof. Castel's lab.

• International partner: Prof. Michael Tobar  and Dr. Jeremy Bourhill , University of West Australia, Perth, Australia

  The PhD student will stay 1 years at Prof. Tobar's lab.

• Industrial partner(s): Short visits will be organized, possibly partners including Thales Research & Technology (TRT, FR), Elliptika (FR) and NanOsc AB (Sweden)

2.2. Hosting organizations
2.2.1. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique , internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading French technological university under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology. IMT Atlantique maintains privileged relationships with major national and international industrial partners, as well as with a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent staff, 2,200 students, including 300 doctoral students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications each year and raises 18€ million in research funds.

2.2.2. University of West Australia

The University of West Australia  sits in the prime location of the city of Perth. Our main campus is home to 25,000 students, with more than 4,000 international students hailing from 100 countries. At The University of Western Australia, we’re uniting our world-class teaching, research and student experiences, and partnering with communities to tackle some of the world’s most complex problems. Our valued industry connections, innovative courses, commitment to our student experience and high-impact research place us as world top 100 university.

Requirements
Requirements

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The proposed topic is inherently a prime example of interdisciplinary science, blending microwave technology (RF cavity) with solid-state physics (magnons) to unveil extraordinary phenomena. The PhD student will be able to develop many skills related to low and room temperature experiments in the GHz range, EM simulation, CAD design, and coding to control equipment, data processing and theory.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Physics

Additional Information
Benefits
A PhD programme of high quality training : 4 reasons to apply

• SEED is a programme of excellence that is aware of its responsibilities: to provide a programme of high quality training to develop conscientious researchers, including training in responsible research and ethics. 
• SEED’s unique approach of providing interdisciplinary, international and cross-sector experience is tailored to work in a career-focused manner to enhance employability and market integration.
• SEED offers a competitive funding scheme, aiming for an average monthly salary of EUR 2,000 net per ESR, topped by additional mobility allowances as well as optional family allowances.
• SEED is a forward-looking programme that actively engages with current issues and challenges, providing research opportunities addressing industrial and academic relevant themes.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria. In accordance with MSCA rules, SEED will open to applicants without any conditions of nationality nor age criteria. SEED applies the MSCA mobility standards and necessary background. Eligible candidates must fulfil the following criteria

• Mobility rule: Candidates must show transnational mobility by having not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the deadline of the co-funded program's call (Jan 31, 2024 for Call#1). Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Early-stage researchers (ESR): Candidates must have a master’s degree or an equivalent diploma at the time of their enrolment and must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career. Moreover, they must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
  Extensions may be granted (under certain conditions) for maternity leave, paternity leave, as well as long-term illness or national service.

Selection process

The selection process is described on the guide for applicants available here: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed/documents

Additional comments

Applications can only be provided through the application system available under the SEED website: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/seed

Website for additional job details

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMT Atlantique

Country

France

City

Brest

Street

Campus de Brest Technopôle Brest-Iroise

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Contact

City

Brest

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Street

Campus de Brest Technopôle Brest-Iroise

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED