PhD position on a highly accurate, high bandwidth piezo driver at sub-nanometer scale for lithography and metrology.

Job description

This PhD position on a highly accurate, high bandwidth piezo driver for lithography and metrology is part of a larger multi-disciplinary project named:

'Advanced piezo-electric wafer stage for next generation lithography and metrology applications'.

In this project, in collaboration with an industrial partner, in total four PhD candidates are aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of an advanced moving stage for holding silicon wafers in which light-weight and compact piezo-electric actuators are used. To enable the required high accuracy and speed, a new highly accurate piezo driver is required which shall provide an unprecedented positioning bandwidth.

The PhD candidate will investigate piezo crystals and develop the required power electronics as part of a positioning demonstrator system. The target is to make a sub-nanometer accurate positioning system featuring ppm level noise isolation from its environment. To do so, the deflection of the piezo crystal shall be linearized and the position loop bandwidth needs to be maximized. The candidate shall be able to tackle the physics of the piezo crystal, design self sensing control, minimize piezo hysteresis, and implement the crystal-sensor-amplifier system in hardware to verify the design by measurement.

The PhD candidate will be based in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics (EPE) group in the Electronical Engineering department and will collaborate intensively with the other three PhD candidates in the project at the Electrical Engineering (optical and control systems) and Mechanical (system engineering) Departments as well as researchers of the industry.

Electromechanics and Power Electronics group
The EPE-group research activities span all facets of Electromechanics and Power Electronics, in particular advanced mechatronics systems with magnetically levitated linear and planar actuators, multi-level power converters and high-precision power amplifiers. The EPE group has a state-of-the-art 650m2 laboratory with multiphysical measurements (electrical, magnetic, and thermal):

•           Cleanrooms with climate and vibration control

•           Vibration isolated measurement frames

•           Several 1-axis and 3-axis laser-interferometer systems (Agilent)

•           Load cells for 6-DOF force and torque measurement

•           XY-positioning stages for the test of multi-DOF actuators and multi-DOF field measurements

•           Extensive high-voltage and power electronics measurement equipment

It is a world leading group in the field of multiscale modeling and design techniques for high-precision electromagnetic motion systems with extreme dynamic performance indexes (accelerations, velocities, accuracy). The group carries out both fundamental and applied research and has many research collaborations with industrial partners. The group consists of 53 people of which 24 PhD students, 5 PostDocs, and 4 PDEng students.

We are looking for candidates with a MSc diploma in Physics, Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering with strong affinity for power electronics and interests in the physics of piezo-drives as well as the development of the required power electronics. The selected doctoral student will be appointed in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics Group (https://www.tue.nl/epe). The candidate should have:

Demonstrated experience in the physics of piezo-electric effects and piezo materials (like stiffness, hysteresis).

Experience in analog design.

Knowledge of control of non-linear processes.

Experience of PCB design optimized for EMC and thermal performance.

Strong skills in programming tools (Matlab, FEM packages, VHDL).

Strong analytical and research capabilities.

Excellent communication skills.

Ability to independently organize your own work, to solve problems, to achieve desirable goals and to cooperate.

Work experience in multi partner international project environment is a plus.

Project management skills are also a plus.

Ability to participate in the teaching process in BSc and MSc programs (both taught in English).

Good scientific writing and documentation skills.

Strong command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch/German language is a plus).

a challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university and a stimulating internationally renowned research environment;

full-time temporary appointment for 3 years, which will be extended with one year if it is successful;

gross salary between € 2222,00 and € 2.840,00 per month based on full-time employment;

an extensive package of fringe benefits (e.g. excellent technical infrastructure, the possibility of child care and excellent sports facilities);