M-2115 - PhD STUDENT IN THE FIELD OF NANO-STRUCTURED PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILMS BASED ON BINARY OXIDES

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: 28 Aug 2021

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies. 

https://www.list.lu/

You ‘d like to contribute as a PhD student? Join our Materials Research and Technology department 

Through its research into advanced materials and processes, the “Materials Research and Technology” (MRT) department, with its 200 researchers and engineers, contributes to the emergence of enabling technologies that underpin the innovation processes of local and international industry. MRT’s activities hinge on four thematic pillars: nanomaterials and nanotechnology, scientific instrumentation and process technology, structural composites, and functional polymers.

The department also includes four high-tech platforms, focusing on composites, prototyping, characterization and testing. These platforms serve both LIST research staff, and other stakeholders in Luxembourg.

How will you contribute?

HfO2-based thin films changed the way we think about ferroelectrics. This silicon-compatible and environmentally friendly material pushed the limits of ferroelectricity down to a few nanometers and revived the technology of ferroelectric memories and field-effect transistors. Nonetheless, its march towards the status of ideal ferroelectric and piezoelectric is encumbered by several hurdles, including non-robust stability of polar phases and weak piezoelectric response. 

In this PhD project, you will use Chemical Solution Deposition method to grow nano-structured piezoelectric thin films based on binary oxides, which should be able to address hafnia’s shortcomings. You will synthesise the films, perform structural and functional characterization and test them as resonators for GHz-range applications. 

You will have a chance to work with the world-renowned experts in the framework of an international project between LIST (ab-initio simulations, chemical growth of the films, resonators) and University of Groningen (physical growth of the films, TEM analysis, in-situ XRD characterization). 

The work will consist of the following topics: 

  • chemical synthesis of precursor solutions and deposition via spin coating,
  • structural characterization (XRD, SEM, etc.),
  • electromechanical characterization (piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties),
  • fabrication and characterization of acoustic resonators.


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