PhD in Developing Single-photon Emitters from 2D Semiconductors for Quantum Photonic Applications

The PhD project in which you will be participating aims to understand and control defect-related single-photon emission in two-dimensional semiconductors (TMDCs) for photonic quantum computing applications.

What are you going to do?
Aim of the PhD project is to develop defect-based single-photon emitters in 2D semiconductors, and couple those via photonic resonators and waveguides to photonic circuits. Recent progress in the light-matter interaction of 2D materials, specifically the light emission from transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), has revealed their great potential as single-photon emitters. The single-photon emission is related to defects, which can be induced in a controlled way via strain fields; yet, the defect nature and origin of light emission remain unclear.

Furthermore, their exploration as quantum emitters for on-chip photonic applications requires electrical tunability, high purity, and high signal-to-noise ratio, which needs signal improvement via coupling to photonic resonators. In this project, we will build microscale 2D devices, investigate defect-related single-photon emission, and implement nanophotonic design to enhance the emission and outcouple it into photonic circuits. The research will be carried out in an inspiring cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Nanomaterials and 2D Nanophotonics labs of Prof. P. Schall and J. van de Groep at UvA, and the Optoelectronic and Nanophotonics labs of Prof. L. Siebbeles and K. Kuipers at TU Delft.

You will develop single-photon emitters by stamping large-scale exfoliated TMDCs on nanopatterned surfaces to create controlled strain fields. These nanopatterns will be prepared at the nearby Nanolab. You will investigate the defect and emitted light on a single-emitter level using optical and Raman microscopy at UvA, as well as on an ensemble level using time-resolved optical and terahertz spectroscopy at TU Delft. A postdoc at UvA will work on the complementary topic of electrically tunable emitter devices. After obtaining insight into the nature of the defect-related emission, you will add nanophotonic design to enhance the emission and outcouple it into optical waveguides. Coupling to cavities can drastically enhance the emission via the Purcell effect, while waveguides will serve to couple the light into photonic circuits. There will be another post-doc at TU Delft to help with the nanophotonic design and its implementation.

This fundamental project will be in collaboration with two industrial partners, Toyota and Quix, the latter being a leading photonic quantum computing startup providing photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The ultimate goal is to integrate the developed single-photon emitters directly into these PICs and test them for their figures of merit in quantum information processing.

You will:

• Work in the lively Quantum Materials cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) at UvA, in collaboration with the Optoelectronic Materials and Photonics groups of Prof. Siebbeles and Prof. Kuipers at TU Delft;
• Use the synthesis and optical lab infrastructure at IoP to exfoliate and stamp TMDC layers to prepare defect-based single photon emitters and characterize the emission;
• Fabricate nanopatterned surfaces in the AMOLF NanoLab Amsterdam;
• Participate in an exciting cross-disciplinary collaboration with the groups at TU Delft and industry to leverage your results and implement the developed emitters into photonic chips of the industrial partners;
• Take part in teaching activities of the group.

Your profile
You have:

• A Master degree in Physics, Material Science (with emphasis on 2D semiconductors) or Photonics.
• Experience in the following fields: Single-photon emission and measurement, TMDCs, or Nanophotonic design.

You should be able to:

• Work at the interface between (Quantum) Optics, Material Science, and Nanophotonics;
• Collaborate and adapt in an international team and possess excellent communication skills in oral and written English.

Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,872 to € 3,670 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on full-time) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow free courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

This PhD project will be carried out in the Nanomaterials and 2D Nanophotonics labs of Prof. P. Schall and Dr. J. van de Groep within the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the experimental division of the Institute of Physics of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). It will be in collaboration with the Optoelectronic Materials group of Prof. L. Siebbeles at TU Delft, where time-dependent spectroscopy measurements will be performed. The Nanomaterials and 2D Nanophotonics labs focus on light-matter interaction in nano- and 2D materials and benefit from an exceptional scientific environment in hard condensed matter, nanophotonics, and materials science, working together in the Quantum Materials cluster of the Institute of Physics. The Optoelectronic Materials section at TU Delft offers extensive experimental and computational/theoretical expertise on the dynamics of excitons and charge carriers in nanomaterials; six laser facilities allow investigation of exciton and charge carrier dynamics on timescales from 50fs to 10ms.

The Institute of Physics is part of the Faculty of Science, which has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Prof. Peter Schall
• P.Schall@uva.nl

Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 15 October 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• A letter of motivation;
• A detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• A list of university grades;
• Contact details of two academic referees (who will be contacted when shortlisted).

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The selection process commences immediately but will close when suitable candidates have been found. Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with (Formal closing date: 15th of October, 2024).

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

38 hours per week

Science Park 904