Tunable infrared photodetectors based on 2D materials

Context:
The Laboratory for Nanostructured and Molecular Photonics (http://www.polymtl.ca/lnmp/en) is seeking outstanding students to work on the development of infrared photodetectors based on nanostructured black phosphorus. Black phosphorus is a stable allotrope of phosphorus with a layered structure that can be exfoliated, like graphene, down to a single monolayer. It possesses several distinctive features: remarkably high carrier mobilities, an anisotropic band structure, and a direct bandgap to efficiently absorb light. Most importantly, it shows two characteristics unmatched by any other 2D or bulk materials: a tunable direct bandgap from the mid-infrared to the visible via the sample thickness and the ability to dynamically tune the gap through an applied electric field.

Project:
In partnership with Excelitas Technologies, a global leader in optoelectronic components, the Laboratory for Nanostructured and Molecular Photonics is seeking graduate student applications for the development of efficient and tunable photodectors based on exfoliated layers of ultrathin black phosphorus and black phosphorus quantum dots. This project will involve photodetector design, exfoliation and/or synthesis of nanostructured black phosphorus, device fabrication and characterization.

Relevant skills:
Students with backgrounds in Physics, Electrical Engineering and Materials Science/Chemistry are invited to apply. Skills relevant to these projects include an excellent understanding of semiconductor device physics, 2D materials, optical spectroscopy, inorganic synthesis, and micro/nano-fabrication. Previous experience in any of these areas will be considered assets for the project.

Funding:
PhD studentships will be fully-funded for the duration of the project. Outstanding students will be encouraged for prestigious provincial (FRQNT PBEEE) and national fellowships (NSERC Vanier).

About the group:
The Laboratory for Nanostructued and Molecular Photonics is led by Prof. Stéphane Kéna-Cohen, the Canada Research Chair in Hybrid and Molecular Photonics. It is currently composed of 6 graduate students and 1 post-doctoral researcher. The group is active in the development of optoelectronic devices based on novel materials as well as quantum optics. The Lab is already equipped with extensive equipment for device fabrication, device characterization and optical spectroscopy. It is also in the process of a major infrastructure acquisition project. Moreover, group members have access to the Polytechnique’s Microfabrication Laboratory, a cleanroom equipped with state-of-the-art photolithography, etching and electron-beam lithography tools.

Polytechnique Montréal:
Polytechnique Montréal is located in Montreal, Canada--the world’s best city for students according to the QS rankings. Polytechnique is a flagship of engineering in the province of Québec and also one of Canada’s leading engineering teaching and research institutions. It is the 3rd largest Engineering faculty in terms of research funding in Canada. In keeping with its mission since 1873, it has trained nearly 46,000 engineers, specialists and researchers. Polytechnique has strong activities in Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, an area where, in partnership with the University of Montreal, it has invested more than 150M$ towards developing world-class infrastructure and trained over 400 graduate students since 2010.

How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to contact Prof. Kéna-Cohen and include their CV, transcripts and cover letter. e-mail: [Email Address Removed]