PhD student position in Imaging electron transport at the nanoscale (# of pos: 2)

The Magnetism and Interface Physics Group at ETH Zurich invites applications for a Ph.D. student position in the field of nanoscale electron transport using scanning tunneling potentiometry [1,2].

Two-dimensional (2D) material systems and heterostructures have recently emerged as a promising class of materials allowing to address a variety of functionalities, including field-effect modulation of electronic and magnetic properties, different regimes of electron and spin transport. Present investigations of charge and spin transport phenomena in novel material systems are widely based on lithographically defined devices. Although these measurements provide valuable understanding of different spin and charge transport processes, a fixed device geometry inherently lacks spatial resolution and microscopic insights into local structure and morphology dependent properties.

As a successful candidate, you will investigate local transport properties using scanning tunneling potentiometry (STP) to explore the different transport regimes at the nanometer scale including quantum interference effects. Part of the project entails the further development of the technique to improve sensitivity and applicability to nanoscale devices. With a highly sensitive STP you will be able to measure and investigate the local modifications of the electrochemical potential in current-biased 2D materials depending on local morphology and electronic states. The research will provide unprecedented insights into electron scattering at local defects and across interfaces including the importance of local charges as well as proximity effects.

[1] P. Willke, T. Kotzott, T. Pruschke, M. Wenderoth, Nature Communications 8, 15283 (2017).

[2] T. Markovic, W. Huang, P. Gambardella, and S. Stepanow, Review of Scientific Instruments 92, 103707 (2021).