The Leibniz-Institute for Crystal Growth (IKZ) is a leading research institution in the area of science & technology as well as service & transfer of crystalline materials. Our goal is to enable solutions for urgent societal challenges (e.g. communication, artificial intelligence, climate protection, health etc.). by modern electronic & photonic technologies. The work covers the full spectrum from basic over applied research up to pre-industrial development and is performed in collaboration with national and international partners from university, academy and industry. The institute is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin (https://www.fv-berlin.de/ ) and a member of the Leibniz Association www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de .
We are offering a
PhD Student Position (m/f/d)
for the topic “Microscopic structural characterization of epitaxial Si/SiGe heterostructures for quantum processors”
Semiconductor based electron spin qubits are a promising route towards the realization a quantum processor with scalable architecture which potentially allows to provide a fully error-corrected network with a large number of qubits. Silicon spin qubits offer the advantage to be fabricated using well established routines of semiconductor industry and their high degree of miniaturization. Moreover, such devices provide comparably stable quantum properties and low potential disorder due to the high material quality achievable today.
Individual qubits are formed by electrons confined in electrostatic quantum dots allowing for coherent manipulation of the electron spin state. Both the confinement within a 2D layer as well as removing the p-state degeneracy of electrons in the conduction band are realized via quantum wells (QW) obtained by tensilely strained Silicon that is epitaxially grown between two layers of Si-Ge alloys.
At IKZ, we contribute to the development of SiGe spin-qubits both in terms of growth and characterization of the strained QW heterostructures with the goal to realize highly homogeneous, epitaxial SiGe/Si/SiGe stacks that are suitable for quantum application. For this purpose, we aim to minimize the defect density in the films and understand their origin as well as their impact on the qubit performance. We combine advanced X-ray and electron microscopy techniques to identify individual defects and to map their influence on the structural parameters that determine the qubit potential. The major issues include strain fluctuations due to dislocations and lithographically fabricated gate electrodes, alloy composition fluctuations, inter-diffusion at the interfaces as well as the evolution of these properties in different stages of device fabrication.
The tasks of the PhD student in an international environment will include,
- Structural and morphological characterization of SiGe-based quantum well hetero-structures using state-of-the-art techniques both at large scale facilities and in IKZ labs
- Identification of material defects and inhomogeneities that are critical for application
- Active exchange with a national consortium of research groups developing semiconductor quantum processors
- Acquire skills in using standard laboratory techniques (eg. XRD, SEM, AFM) as well as analysis and presentation of results
- Design of strategies for multi-scale imaging of qubit structures combining strain-sensitive synchrotron radiation diffraction and lab-based electron microscopy
- In particular: development of a fast metrology using non-destructive X-ray microscopy and layout of a high-throughput analysis pipeline for large amount of experimental data
Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a master degree either in physics, materials science, chemistry or related disciplines
- X-ray scattering/diffraction or electron microscopy
- Programming/Software skills (Python/C)
- Background in semiconductor physics, crystallography and/or elasticity
- Good English language skills - written and oral
- Basic knowledge in German language is preferable
For information about the project please contact Dr. Carsten Richter, Tel.: +49 30 6392-2859, carsten.richter(at)ikz-berlin.de .
What we offer
The position is limited to three years, an extension for another year is possible. Payment is according to TVöD Bund (75%) (Treaty for German public service). The IKZ is an equal opportunity employer and actively supports reconciliation of work and family life. There is equality for applicants of all genders. Qualified women are especially encouraged to apply. Among equally qualified applicants, preference will be given to disabled candidates.
Have we aroused your interest?
Then apply with a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and all relevant certificates by September 1, 2021.To do so, please go to Job offers/jobs on our homepage and click on this advertisement and then on "Apply online". Please send us your complete application documents this way.
We look forward to receiving your application!
You can find more details on the institute webpage www.ikz-berlin.de .
Similar Positions
-
Research Studentships For Master Or Integrated Master Students (Bl19/2024 Ist Id), Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento _IST-ID, Portugal, 18 days ago
11 Mar 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento _IST-ID Department DRH Research Field Physics » Other Researcher Pro...
-
Ph Ds In Experimental Superconducting Quantum Computing, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, 10 days ago
19 Mar 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Chalmers University of Technology Research Field Technology » Quantum technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Sweden Appl...
-
Ph Ds In Experimental Superconducting Quantum Computing, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, about 17 hours ago
We invite applications for two PhD positions in experimental quantum computing with superconducting circuits. You will work in the stimulating research environment of the Wallenberg Centre for Qua...
-
Ph D Student (Index No. 6700 01), Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Switzerland, 8 days ago
20 Mar 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Switzerl...
-
Christiaan Huygens Science Award, KNAW, Netherlands, about 20 hours ago
Christiaan Huygens Science Award Natural Sciences and Technology Early career scientists The Christiaan Huygens Science Prize honors a young researcher who has made an innovative contribution to s...
-
Ph D Position | Single Crystalline 2 D Channel Material By Area Selective Deposition For Atomically Thin Transistors, IMEC, Belgium, 33 minutes ago
29 Mar 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company IMEC Research Field Chemistry Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Belgium Application Deadline 15 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (...