The University of Bath is inviting applications for the following PhD project commencing in October 2021.
Funding is available to candidates who qualify for ‘Home’ fee status. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the rules governing fee status have changed and, therefore, candidates from the EU/EEA are advised to check their eligibility before applying. Please see the Funding Eligibility section below for more information.
You will use a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) with state-of-the-art automation to study the nanometre and femtosecond dynamics of injected charge-carriers in novel quantum materials. Specifically their role in controlling the light emission from atomic defects and single organic molecules. Modern optoelectronic devices for light emission and detection rely on physical processes that take place on the nanoscale. With device miniaturisation reaching the single-molecule level, it is of paramount importance to understand the fundamental nanoscale dynamics of the charge-carriers that govern the performance of these devices. Although current optical techniques can probe these ultrafast dynamics, the information they provide is spatially averaged and sensitive to the bulk transport characteristics of the materials.
The tip of an STM can inject electrons into a surface with atomic precision and can thus instigate and measure the nanometre transport dynamics of individual charge quanta [1]. This project builds upon our team’s recent breakthrough on silicon, where we showed that it is possible to use the STM to ‘trace’ the dynamics of hot charge-carriers both in real space [2] and in energy [3]. These pioneering experiments gave us a tool to access new physical phenomena that have been inaccessible before, and in a material that has been extensively explored and used in technology for over half a century. Thus, there is significant scope for investigating the dynamics and interactions between hot charge-carriers (electrons), excitons and photons in novel materials. Here the focus will be on novel 2D materials and single organic molecules (C60, dibenzoterrylene) that could have profound implications for solar energy harvesting.
The aim of this project is to establish coupled measurement of light emission and atomic manipulation [4], enhanced with spectroscopic and single-photon correlation capabilities. You will be part of both the Photonics and Nanoscience groups at Bath, and there will be strong opportunity for external collaboration. You will gain transferrable skills in lab automation (Python, LabVIEW), ultrahigh vacuum practice, quantum and fibre optics, and 2D materials research. As part of your soft skills training, you will be encouraged to attend summer schools and conferences, and take part in the Department’s outreach portfolio.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent) in Physics, Physical Chemistry, or Electrical/Materials Engineering. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous. Applicants should have a strong interest in experimental nanoscience, photonics and automation.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Kristina Rusimova ([Email Address Removed]).
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Physics (full-time).
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Funding Eligibility:
In order to be considered for a studentship, you must qualify as a ‘Home’ student. In determining ‘Home’ student status, we follow the UK government’s fee regulations which, when available, will be set out by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). Although not yet confirmed, we expect that the main categories of students generally eligible for ‘Home’ fee status will be:
- UK nationals (meeting residency requirement*)
- Irish nationals resident in the UK/Ireland since at least September 2018
- EU/EEA applicants with settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (meeting residency requirement*)
- Applicants with indefinite leave to enter/remain in the UK (meeting residency requirement*)
*Residency requirement: in most cases applicants must have lived in the UK, EU, EEA or Switzerland continuously since September 2018.
EU/EEA citizens who live outside the UK are unlikely to be eligible for ‘Home’ fees and funding.
Up-to-date information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage and on the GOV.UK website.
Continue with Facebook
