Multiple PhD positions are available with the IMS group in the themes of nano engineered thin films for photonic, sensing, neuromorphic and quantum applications.

Examples of projects are:

Ultra-low power phase modulator in silicon nitride

Here, we aim to integrate advanced piezo-electric materials for fast and low power modulation. We target tuning speed of 1 ns using relaxer piezo electric materials such as PZT and low power operation.

Barium titanate Optical modulators in silicon nitride

Here we aim to equip silicon nitride with high-speed optical modulation through heterogeneous integration with barium titanate.

Oxide quantum materials

Understanding how to co-design correlated and topological states of matter by exploiting the interplay between symmetry, correlation, and topology in oxide quantum heterostructures.

AlScN layers

AlScN and PZT heterostructures grown by pulsed laser deposition on (membrane) platforms. Investigation of various (thermal) strain compensating buffer layers and explore low temperature (< 450C) deposition schemes while maintaining piezoelectric performance.

PiezoNEMS for sensing

Fabrication and characterization of piezoNEMS (nanoscale) transducers with very high-quality factors, by integrating piezoelectric excitation and detection. Main challenge is to develop technologies for the integration of piezoelectric materials in nanoscale structures, without degrading the piezoelectric properties.

Integration of Ferroelectric Tunnel junctions

Crossbar arrays of memristive devices will be developed, based on ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) and explore their integration with CMOS technologies will be explored.