A PhD Scholarship in Nanofabrication and Material Science is available at the National Center for Micro and Nanofabrication (DTU Danchip) and the Center for Electron Nanoscopy (DTU Cen).
Lithography is the key technology for achieving large-scale fabrication of computer chips: it is used to define and pattern the billions of transistors in the computer's central processing units (CPUs). Currently, the smallest features in a CPU are 14-nm-wide or just a few hundred atoms wide. Thanks to advances in lithography, the number of transistors in a CPU have increased 50-fold in the past 10 years. Research in lithography is important for the semiconductor industry that provides us with increasingly more advanced and portable electronic consumer products.
Electron beam lithography (EBL) is an advanced technology that can produce features smaller than 10 nm, where patterning is achieved by a focused beam of electrons down to 2 nm in diameter. A recent development in EBL is “ice lithography”, where frozen water is patterned by the electron beam. The ice replaces the e-beam resist. We have shown that features below 10 nm can be readily achieved. The patterns in frozen water can be transferred into more stable materials such as metals or semiconductor thin films.
(http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/ice-lithography-on-the-nanoscale-moves-up-a-notch-in-complexity , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csv__ScEOYs).
The ultimate aim of this research is to develop ice lithography with the final goal of producing computer chips of the future. The aim of this PhD project is to study the interactions between electrons and ice. Achieving this goal requires:
- A thorough understanding of the interaction between the electron beam and the ice that controls the lithographic process while setting its performance and efficiency
- Nanoscale characterization and analysis of the results of the lithographic process with electron microscopy and complementary techniques.
This project will be carried out at the National Center for Micro and Nanofabrication (Danchip) and the Center for Electron Nanoscopy (CEN) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The PhD candidate will be supervised by Assistant Prof. Anpan Han and Associate Prof. Marco Beleggia.
Qualifications
We are looking for excellent and motivated candidates that are eager to improve their skills in nanofabrication, electron microscopy, and materials science. Preferably, the candidate has a Master’s degree or equivalent, and a background in Micro-Electro-Mechanical systems, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or other relevant scientific or engineering areas.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide .
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assistant Prof. Anpan Han and Associate Prof. Marco Beleggia.
We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. The candidate is expected to start by Dec 1, 2014, at the latest.
Further information
Marco Beleggia, mb@cen.dtu.dk and Anpan Han, anph@dtu.dk are available for answering questions and providing more details on the project.
You can read more about DTU Danchip here and DTU Cen here .
Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 8 October 2014. Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online" fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here )
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and public service. Our staff of 5,700 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 10,000 students are educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies.
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