Dr Jeff Davis
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
This exciting new project will combine two fields of research at the cutting edge of science: topological insulators (2016 physics Nobel prize) and atomically thin 2D materials (Nobel prize for Physics 2010).
The aim of this project is to use femtosecond laser pulses to transiently control the band structure of atomically thin 2D semiconductors (eg MoS2) and drive the material into a topological insulator state. The pathway to realizing this goal is littered with many exciting challenges and opportunities, both experimental and in the analysis and modelling techniques. Once we have established the capabilities to generate, control and characterize the Floquet topological insulator states we will explore the fundamental physics underlying topological phase transitions, both in space and time, and identify optimum parameters for topological switches.
This project forms part of the recently announced $40 million Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET). This centre has as its key mission the development of a new type of low-energy switch, based on new physics, to ultimately replace existing CMOS technology. Two-dimensional topological insulators form a key plank of the research efforts because of their ability to sustain electron flow without resistance around the edges .
This PhD position will be based in the ultrafast spectroscopy group within the Centre for Quantum and Optical Science (CQOS) at Swinburne University of Technology. The research group is equipped with world-class ultrafast laser facilities and is known for developing and applying advanced spectroscopic techniques for understanding complex condensed matter systems. CQOS is one of three physics research centres at Swinburne, which was placed in the top 3 universities in Australia (and top 75 worlwide) for Physics in the 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Swinburne is located in Hawthorn, just 8km from the centre of Melbourne.
Details of the research group and the work we are doing can be found here: http://www.swin.edu.au/caous/UltrafastSpec.htm. If you have any questions please contact A/Prof Jeff Davis ([Email Address Removed]).
For this position we are seeking a PhD candidate with a strong Physics background (honours/Masters degree or equivalent) and a willingness and ability to learn and understand the physics of the 2D materials, topological insulators and the interactions between them and femtosecond laser pulses
Interested applicants should send a full academic transcript, a short CV and an expression of interest to A/Prof Jeffrey Davis at [Email Address Removed].
Funding Notes
Scholarships are available to cover all costs of tuition and a stipend of $35,000 per year (tax free).
Funding is also available to spend 6 months out of your PhD study at one of our international partner institutions to further develop your skills, knowledge and experience.