Open positions / projects

Topological semi-metals are a new class of materials in which electrons behave like massless particles. Their unique properties lead to highly unusual materials behavior, which we hope to harness in future technology. One of their properties is an unusually strong, paramagnetic response in strong magnetic fields. Using on-chip magnetometry, you can search for this quantum property in different classes of topological materials.

In a FIB, a gaseous precursor can be locally solidified by ion-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The deposited films are Pt-rich, and host an intricate microstructure consisting of Pt nanocrystals embedded in a carbon matrix. Little is known about the dynamical mechanics of these materials. The goal is to fabricate a free-standing Pt cantilever, and measure its resonance frequency, from where you can compute the elastic modulus and obtain a Q-factor.

Superconducting circuits are the basis for quantum technology. Usually, superconductors are fabricated in thin-film form and patterned by lithography. Here you will explore a different approach: Solidifying a gaseous precursor of WCO₆ under strong ion irradiation is a method to directly grow superconductors onto any surfaces. Meanwhile, the carbon concentration critically determines the superconducting transition, the relation between them needs to be explored.

Spontaneously broken symmetries are at the heart of many phenomena of quantum matter. In charge-density-wave (CDW) materials, the formation of a charge order upon decreasing temperature may lead a non-trivial modulation of the charge carrier distribution which alters the electronic symmetry of the system. In this project you are going to explore such electronic symmetry breaking effect in various CDW materials by measuring unidirectional and/or higher harmonic magnetotransport responses.