Two PhD positions: Fano4nano – Fano resonance enhanced scatterometry for wafer metrology

Are you looking for a challenging project in which you develop fundamental advances in metaphotonics and work with high-tech industry to apply them? In this project we aim to develop nanophotonic structures for application in high-precision semiconductor metrology, guided by design principles from the field of optical metasurfaces. The tremendous success of the semiconductor industry is enabled by highly advanced optical nanolithography. Hand in hand, optical methods for metrology and inspection must keep improving in order to meet the demands of quality control at ever decreasing dimensions. In current wafer metrology, wafers are inspected at visible wavelengths using dedicated grating patterns that reveal fine positional and dimensional information in their scattering spectrum. The strong desire from the semiconductor industry to reduce critical dimension and target size, drives metrology research to exploit the complex behaviour of light in structures at subwavelength scale.

We aim to develop a completely new class of metrology targets, based on novel nanophotonic scattering patterns taken from the optical metasurface community. Examples of such patterns are Fano-resonant metasurfaces that can provide responses in spectrum, polarization and diffraction with a very strong dependency on geometry. The challenge in this project is how to systematically design Fano-resonant metasurfaces that answer to the boundary conditions of semiconductor metrology.

We are seeking two PhD students, targeting this problem from two complementary perspectives:

 While the work will mainly focus on theory and simulation, for both projects promising Fano-resonant metasurfaces will be manufactured and measured. In project 1 you will demonstrate the limits of performance of select designs in close collaboration with ASML, while in project 2 you will demonstrate salient mechanisms in optical experiments at AMOLF performed with help of a research technician.

 The research is part of an industry co-funded project, and will be done in close collaboration with ASML. We target both academic and applied breakthroughs.

About the group
This is a collaborative project between the Resonant Nanophotonics group at AMOLF, headed by Prof. Dr. Femius Koenderink and Prof. Dr. Irwan Setija at TU/e (PSN group). The research activities in the Resonant Nanophotonics group at AMOLF aim at developing nanoscale photonic structures, such as plasmonics and metasurfaces, to control scattering, emission, amplification and detection of light. The group spans the entire research cycle from developing advanced nanophotonics concepts using state of the art theory and numerical design, to nanofabrication of designed structures in the Amsterdam NanoLab cleanroom at AMOLF, and the development of state of the art optical scatterometry and microscopy methods. Prof. Setija is a principal scientist at ASML Research and part-time professor at the Technical University Eindhoven in semiconductor metrology and sensing, and particularly in electromagnetic theory, developing numerical methods, large-scale optimization, and electromagnetic design.

Both researchers will be employed by, and stationed at, AMOLF in the group of Koenderink. For position (1) we expect that the candidate is at TU/e circa two days a week, to work with Prof. Setija.

AMOLF performs leading research on the fundamental physics and design principles of natural and man-made complex matter, with research in the disciplines nanophotonics, nanophotovoltaics, chemistry & spectroscopy, mechanical metamaterials and biophysics. AMOLF leverages these insights to create novel functional materials, and to find solutions to societal challenges in renewable energy, health care, and green ICT. AMOLF is one of the NWO-I national research institutes located at the Amsterdam Science Park, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It has approximately 150 scientist and a total size of ca. 250 employees. Furthermore it hosts the Amsterdam NanolabNL clean room, which is part of the national NanoLabNL cleanroom network. See also www.amolf.nl

We are looking for enthusiastic, talented candidates with an MSc or equivalent degree in physics or a strongly related field. A background in optics and nanophotonics, diffraction or microscopy based methods, and/or computational imaging is a clear advantage. Affinity for solving mathematical problems, large-scale optimization techniques, and working as part of a team are considered important. In the second phase of the projects, we will also perform optical experiments, on nanostructured samples. The project’s results will be presented at national and international conferences and in relevant journals. Candidates should be able to communicate in English. The successful candidatesare expected to write a PhD thesis towards the end of the 4-year project, which will be defended at a dutch university. You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination.

The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years, with a starting salary of gross € 2.781 per month and a range of employment benefits . After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch university. Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students. AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

Prof.dr. Femius Koenderink
Group leader Resonant Nanophotonics
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100

You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.
Please annex your:
–  Resume;
–  Motivation on why you want to join the group (max. 1 page).

It is important to us to know why you want to join our team. This means that we will only consider your application if it entails your motivation letter.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and as soon as an excellent match is made, the position will be filled.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment. Hence, we greatly encourage candidates from any personal background and perspective to apply.

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

Apply for this position