PhD position on InP photonic devices and circuits directly grown on Si

Photonics is widely regarded as the key enabling technology of the 21st century and its application and use in many scientific and industrial fields is accelerated through Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), which combine many optical components into a miniaturized chip format. Similar to electronic ICs, PICs are revolutionizing areas such as healthcare, communication and sensing and have the potential to be disruptive to the whole society. While InP technology promises highest efficiency and speed, its scalability is constrained by its native substrate size (industrial mainstream 4 inch). A promising research direction in this field is to explore the method to scale up towards the Si substrate sizes (200-300mm), using direct growth of InP epitaxial layers on Si.

TU/e is joining force with 20+ Europe wide industrial and academic partners on this topic, under the framework of an EU Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking (KDT JU) program Move2THz. Within this program, TU/e is responsible of developing epitaxial growth of InP photonics structures directly onto templated Si substrates, as well as demonstration of high-speed photonic transceivers on this novel platform.

Research Position



This PhD position is opened particularly targeting the technology development of the growth of InP multi-quantum well (MQW) photonics layer stack on Si, in close collaboration with the epitaxy experts within the group. The position will also design and fabricate high speed lasers and modulators based on the InP-on-Si platform. The work will be done primarily on 4-inch wafers to take advantage of the 4-inch InP process line in the TU/e nanolab cleanroom. But the technology developed will be scalable to much larger wafer sizes. On this topic, the PhD will have the opportunity to work with the industrial partners within the consortium (including leading tool vendors and foundries).

The new position will involve hands-on process development using recently installed, state of the art 4" (100 mm) indium phosphide manufacturing line, including high reproducibility epitaxy, deep ultra-violet scanner lithography and industry-grade etch and deposition equipment. These facilities and the associated expertise are considered to be unique in an academic research environment. The project is supported with the infrastructure at the TU/e nanolab.

Candidates are welcome to ask for additional technical background information from Yuqing Jiao, [email protected].

Environment

The position is in the Photonic Integration Research Group, www.tue.nl/phi which is a part of the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) www.tue.nl/ehci. Our strong supporting infrastructure of laboratories, clean room infrastructure www.tue.nl/nanolab and technology know-how allows you to focus on your research and generate new opportunities for collaboration and growth. We believe we can only be world class if our researchers are doing well and feeling good.

The Eindhoven Brainport region, where we are located, is recognized as one of the most important regions in Europe for high-tech developments by the EU. Regional focus on specific technologies creates specific ecosystems to cooperate and commercialize technologies such as integrated photonics, high-tech systems and quantum technology.

We believe that professional development comes hand-in-hand with personal development. Therefore, you will also have access to high-quality training programs on general skills and topics related to research and valorization.

Requirements:

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in electrical engineering, or (applied) physics,  with a genuine interest in pursuing a PhD
• A team player able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level). There is no Dutch language requirement.

Salary Benefits:

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

38 hours per week

De Rondom 70