Multi-Length Scale On-Chip Assembly for Nanophotonics Project 2 (Experiment)

Summary of Cluster
Applications are invited for two University funded PhD studentships, one in theory, one in experiment, to develop radically new self-assembly approaches for creating nanoscale light sources on a silicon chip. This technological breakthrough will pave the way for photonic integrated circuits, allowing us to build ultra-fast and low power consumption computers based on light (rather than electron) transport. Specifically, working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the PhD students will be responsible for modelling, fabricating and characterising the behaviour of hybrid metal-dielectric nanostructures on a silicon chip on multiple length scales.

Summary of PhD Project 2 (Experiment)
This studentship will exploit the rich variety of particle interactions at liquid and solid interfaces to assemble simple and more complex core-shell particles into metal-dielectric composite 2D and 3D structures. The structures will then be immobilized on a silicon chip using cutting edge directed assembly methods. We will focus on two architectures for nanoscale on-chip light sources: plasmonic nano-antenna and near zero effective index photonic structures. Both structures allow us to engineer the photonic environment surrounding the emitting material thus enhancing the emission rate and shaping the emission diagram of the device. High resolution spectroscopic methods will be used to characterise the refractive index, efficiency and directionality of light emission from these structures to identify the most promising candidates for on-chip light sources.

Applicants should have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in Physics, Chemistry or related discipline, together with relevant research experience. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have a 1st class undergraduate degree or Masters level qualification. Both studentships will be based in the School of Mathematics & Physical Sciences, University of Hull, working with Ali Adawi, Jean-Sebastien Bouillard, Martin Buzza, Tommy Horozov, Graeme Stasiuk. For informal enquiries, please contact Martin Buzza ([Email Address Removed]).

PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

Successful applicants will be informed of the award as soon as possible and by 28 February 2018 at the latest.