PhD position | Single crystalline 2D channel material by area-selective deposition for atomically thin transistors

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PhD position | Single crystalline 2D channel material by area-selective deposition for atomically thin transistors

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Job description

Offer DescriptionJoin an international and multidisciplinary research team to explore and manipulate three-atom-thin semiconductors at the forefront of semiconductor technology.More than sixty years ago, selective epitaxial deposition of silicon (Si) revolutionized the integrated circuit technology [1-3]. Monocrystalline Si was grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) only at pre-determined openings in a mask, inhibiting the nucleation elsewhere. Not in the least, one avoids electrically detrimental crystal grain boundaries from forming inside the active heart of the semiconductor device [4,5].Therefore, this PhD research explores innovative selective deposition concepts to mitigate TMD crystal defects by controlling where a TMD material grows, and how these crystals orient and eventually coalesce. The approach is based on the intentional introduction of artificial nanoscale features on an . During this PhD research, you will embark on a journey to reveal how the geometry, chemical composition and critical (physical) dimensions of the design affect where TMD crystals nucleate and how they orient during the CVD process. You can propose various strategies to alter the chemical reactivity of starting surface by surface functionalization, and to introduce a relief or symmetry to a planar surface.Your research will greatly benefit from the expertise and analytical methodologies that have been developed in the international and multidisciplinary 2D materials research team at imec [6,7,8].

• As such, you gain insight in the CVD precursor adsorption and diffusion.
• Ultimately, these observations can enable you to propose a growth mechanism.
• Based on that fundamental insight, you will leverage the design of the starting surface to tune the TMD crystal shape, orientation and defectivity in function of the envisioned device application, a high-performance planar field-effect transistor.

Depending on the personal interest, the candidate can explore the TMD adsorption and diffusion kinetics by either experimental means, or in combination with theory to understand better how to maximize selectivity towards the envisioned architecture. The candidate will work with state-of-the-art and industry-standard 300 mm CVD reactors, equipped with various transition metal and chalcogen precursors. This provides a unique perspective to explore the role of the CVD precursor chemistry on the TMD crystal growth mechanism. Lastly, plentiful opportunities arise for the candidate to further enrich personal and technical competences, for example through access to imec’s state-of-the-art clean room infrastructure and the imec academy development center, as well as research visit(s) to (academic) partners.[1] Joyce, B. D. and Baldrey, J. A. (1962). “Selective Epitaxial Deposition of Silicon.” Nature, 195 (4840), 485-486.[2] Filby J. D. and Nielsen S. (1967). “Single-crystal Films of Silicon on Insulators.” Br. J. Appl. Phys. 18 1357[3] Klykov V. I., Sheftal N. N. and Hartmann E. (1979). “Artificial Epitaxy (Diataxy) of Silicon and Germanium.” Acta Physica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 47, 167-183[4] Ly, T. H. et al. (2016). “Misorientation-angle-dependent Electrical Transport across Molybdenum Disulfide Grain Boundaries.” Nature Comm., 7, (10426)[5] Kim, K.S., et al. (2023). “Non-epitaxial Single-crystal 2D Material Growth by Geometric Confinement.” Nature, 614, 88-94.[6] Groven B., et al. (2017). “Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Two-Dimensional WS2 from WF6, H2 Plasma, and H2S.” Chem. Mater. 29 (7), 2927-2938[7] Groven B., et al. (2018). “Two-Dimensional Crystal Grain Size Tuning in WS2 Atomic Layer Deposition: An Insight in the Nucleation Mechanism.” Chem. Mater. 29 (7), 2927-2938[8] Shi Y., et al. (2021). “Engineering Wafer-Scale Epitaxial Two-Dimensional Materials through Sapphire Template Screening for Advanced High-Performance Nanoelectronics.” ACS Nano 15, 6, 9482-9494Type of work: 80% experimental, 10% theory, 10% literatureSupervisor: Annelies DelabieDaily advisor: Benjamin GrovenThe reference code for this position is 2024-018. Mention this reference code on your application form.RequirementsResearch Field All Education Level Master Degree or equivalentSkills/QualificationsRequired background: Chemistry, Physics, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical EngineeringLanguages ENGLISH Level ExcellentAdditional InformationSelection process

• Read the
• Choose your topics and look up the reference codes (2023-001). You can apply for maximum 3 projects in total.
• Collect your documents in pdf format:

• Download and complete the
• Resume
• Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
• Master’s degree and transcripts

If you have not finished your master program yet, you can submit your degree when you graduate. Do submit your master examination results available at the time of application. * Proof of your English language proficiency (refer to the
for details) * GRE score (refer to the
for details) * Ask two referees to fill out the
for you and have them send their input to before the deadline (15 April 2023 or 15 December 2023). The letters of recommendation are confidential and are an essential part of your application. We will not be able to process your application without the evaluation forms so it is important that you contact your referees in time.Additional commentsGeneral informationThere are two application windows:

• From 15 March until 15 April
• From 15 October until 15 December

Imec itself is not giving PhD degrees but acts as a host research institute for PhD and postdoc research in collaboration with 5 Flemish universities: KU Leuven, UGent, VUBrussel, UAntwerpen, UHasselt. Imec has also signed dual degree PhD agreements with Flemish and international universities. Both engineers and scientists can apply because of the multidisciplinary character of our research. PhDs get supported by professors of both national and international universities, all of them experts in their domains.
Imec has a dual degree agreement with different universities.If you have more questions after reading the information below, contact .Imec the Netherlands is also looking for PhD students. If interested, go the opportunities. Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute imec Country Belgium City Leuven GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact CityLeuven WebsiteStreetKapeldreef 75 Postal Code3001 E-Mail[email protected]STATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Louvain, Brabant Flamand

Job date

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 05:10:18 GMT

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