PhD Studentship: Secondary electron and optical spectroscopy of novel few-atom-thick 2D materials a

Vertically stacked atomic layers from different layered crystals can be held together by van der Waals forces, which can be used for building novel heterostructures, offering a platform for developing a new generation of atomically thin, transparent and flexible devices. The performance of these devices is critically dependent on the layer thickness and the interlayer electronic coupling, influencing the hybridisation of the electronic states as well as charge and energy transfer between the layers. The electronic coupling is affected by the relative orientation of the layers as well as by the cleanliness of their interfaces. In this project we will use both secondary electron and optical spectroscopy to provide new insight in the electronic and surface properties of novel heterostructures built from layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), boron nitride and graphene.

The student will learn many experimental skills in materials science and engineering including advanced materials characterisation in optical and secondary electron spectroscopy, electron microscopy methods and nano-fabrication.’

This successful applicant will be embedded in a multidisciplinary research group of chemists, physicists and engineers and jointly supervised by Dr Rodenburg (Department of Materials Science & Engineering and Prof. Tartakovskii, Department of Physics and Astronomy). The project is suitable for a student with a chemistry, materials science, physics or related background.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a 2.1 honours masters level degree in an appropriate subject.

Funding Notes

A studentship (fees and stipend) for three years may be available for exceptional candidates that are U.K. citizen, who applied by 31st of July 2017 and are able to start their PhD studies no later than the 5th of February 2018.