Supervisory Team: Prof. David Smith
Project description
The field of monolayer materials started with graphene (Nobel Prize) but has now branched out into a wide range of materials. These materials offer unique physics due to their 2D nature, strong Coulombic interactions leading to many-body excitations. In addition, the ability to produce an almost infinite combination of bilayers and trilayers with the lattices of the different layers arbitrarily aligned opens a wide range of exciting technological and scientific opportunities.
Raman scattering has a lot to offer the study of these materials. We have used it to probe the scattering of excitons (bound electron-hole pairs) to trions (bound state of two electrons and one hole) and the nature of optically dark states which are not accessible via other forms of optical spectroscopy. More recently, we have observed hybridisation of interlayer and intralayer excitons, demonstrate the lateral coherence of excitons in moiré lattices, investigate hyperbolic phonon polaritons in TMDC/hBN structures, and Fermi polarons in double-gated WSe2 bilayers. We have access to some of the world’s best samples via a collaboration with the University of Washington and currently are unique in the world in performing resonance Raman scattering with tunable lasers.
At the end of this PhD you will have strong experimental skills in cryogenic techniques, laser based spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. You will be able to use Matlab and related packages to analyse your data. You will also have a proven track record in a growing field. We also aim to be a happy and welcoming group. Come talk to us to find out more.
Prof. David Smith ([Email Address Removed])
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).
Closing date: applications should be received no later than 30 March 2021 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.
Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £15,285 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.
How To Apply
Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2021/22, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Physics (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Prof. David Smith
Applications should include:
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date
Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page
For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]