ICN2_C2-O4: Photon-Phonon interaction in 2D organic and inorganic materials by laser and thermal spectroscopies

This project will cover the following aspects: Nanophononics, Nanophotonics, Topological matter, 2D Materials, Nanocellulose, Nanofabrication, Inelastic light scattering, THz spectroscopy

The study and applications of unique optical and thermal properties of 2D material, be them inorganic (e.g., MoS2) or organic (crystalline nanocellulose) underpins the science of photon-phonon interactions in these increasingly important technological materials. It is proposed to study these interactions at general and specific levels in the cases of inorganic and organic text-book example materials, by inelastic light scattering, THz spectroscopy, time-domain thermoreflectance, luminescence and a series of thermal methods.

We look for properties that can bestow a proven functionality to laboratory-scale devices made of these materials. While in 2D MoS2 there is a fast rising activity, these studies do not yet exists in crystalline nanocellulose, an emerging future environmentally sound material.

The group investigates the interactions between phonons, photons and electrons in nano-scale condensed matter with a long-term view to develop new information technology concepts where information processing is achieved with novel or multiple state variables. Experimental work is carried out on nanophononics including nano-scale thermal transport and opto-mechanical crystals at the cross roads between nanotechnology and dispersion relation engineering. The research in nanophotonics is focused on localisation and more recently metamaterials.

We use state-of-the-art linear optical spectroscopy methods, pump-and-probe down to 10's of femtoseconds and develop new techniques to reach the nanoscale in thermal transport, most notably Laser Raman thermometry.
Over the years we have gathered expertise in periodic nanostructures to control the flow of light and phonons as well as their interactions. A natural development is to explore topological matter.

Eligibility Criteria
To be admitted to the review process, candidates must comply with the following eligibility criteria:

• Presenting complete applications including all requested compulsory information and documentation.

• Having not spent more than 12 months of the prior 36 months in Spain, at the time of the call deadline. You will be required to confirm your compliance through a self-declaration.

• Hold a University degree (by the time of enrollment in the PhD program) that would qualify the applicant to enter one of the PhD programmes recognized by the BIST research centers. These have formal agreements with the major Catalan Universities (UB, UAB, UPC, URV, and UPF) whereby BIST senior researchers (generally of professorial rank and enjoying international recognition) are accredited to supervise PhD students, who do their research at BIST research centres and obtain their degree from the corresponding university. Please provide evidence when you apply (e.g. scanned copy of your degree or similar).

• At the time of the call deadline, be in the first 4 years of your scientific post gradual career (full-time equivalent research experience). In case your University degree was longer ago than 4 years, you will need to provide documental evidence for complying with this criteria.

• Having not been awarded yet a PhD degree.