Key Skills

Job Description

Master thesis project: Hypersonic phonon waveguides Work Activities Phonons—quasi-particles describing sound propagation in materials—can act as carriers of quantum information. Developing nanoscale phonon waveguides that guide phonons on a chip with low loss is therefore highly desirable, especially at hypersound frequencies (~10 GHz). A key challenge is backscattering from defects, which could be mitigated using concepts from topological physics. Inspired by the quantum spin Hall effect, you will design, and fabricate nanoscale phononic crystals supporting topological edge states, and characterize them through optical experiments. Achieving topological protection at these frequencies could enable defect-insensitive acoustic links between spin qubits for silicon quantum computing. Qualifications You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. You have a nationality of an EU-member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands. The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum. We expect you to be available for at least 5 months, although longer is preferable. Work environment AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl In the Photonic Forces group (https://amolf.nl/research-groups/photonic-forces), we study light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, in particular the coupling between photons and phonons in nano-optomechanical systems. We seek to understand how the behavior of light and sound in nanoscale devices is governed by fundamental principles such as spatiotemporal symmetries and quantum mechanics. We explore how suitable system design and control over light-matter interactions can engage the conventional limits to nanophotonic and nanomechanical functionality, in application domains from sensing and metrology to communication. Working conditions At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor. AMOLF Energy Research Academy: AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF. More information? For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. E. Verhagen (https://amolf.nl/people/ewold-verhagen) or dr. T. Veeken (https://amolf.nl/people/tom-veeken). Application You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below. Please annex your : Motivation letter; Resume; List of followed courses plus grades. Online screening may be part of the selection. Diversity code AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability. AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Design and fabricate nanoscale phononic crystals that support topological edge states and guide hypersonic phonons with low loss. Characterize the devices through optical experiments, with the goal of enabling defect-insensitive acoustic links for silicon quantum computing.

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in a master's program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field, and the internship must be a mandatory part of their curriculum. Applicants must be an EU national and/or study at a university in the Netherlands, and be available for at least five months.