PhD Research Position INSPEXT “In-Situ Pellicle Exposure and Transmission ”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- HOURS40 hr.
- SALARY INDICATION€ 2,541 – € 3,247
- DEADLINE30 Sep 2022
We are looking for a motivated and skilled PhD researcher to investigate the physical and chemical degradation processes of novel ultra-thin freestanding films. These transparent membranes are used as protective transparent windows (‘pellicles’) in EUV photolithography, where they are placed just above the sensitive photomask to prevent its contamination by particles. The membranes need to resist not only thermo-mechanical stresses, but also surface degradation by EUV photon induced chemical reactions, bombardment by low energetic ions, and chemical etching by radicals. The aim of the project is to develop fundamental knowledge on the film EUV-induced degradation mechanisms and find materials and processes that can mitigate pellicle damage.
The PhD research will focus on pellicle EUV degradation experiments which will be executed at the PTB Laboratory at BESSY II in Berlin. The goal is to understand, model and experimentally investigate damage mechanisms occurring on new materials in an EUV induced plasma environment. In this research the understanding of the complex physics at play is essential.
Your tasks will be to prepare (design, plan and discuss) and execute the experiments that lead to a better understanding of pellicle damage mechanisms. You will analyze thin films of interest with high precision using surface-sensitive analysis equipment (XPS, LEIS, AFM, …) to understand the sample’s surface composition and structure, before and after degradation experiments. You will construct analytical models to explain the observed surface modifications and test such models against (EUV) exposure conditions.
The project will be carried out in the Industrial Focus Group XUV Optics where a new multidisciplinary research programme on thin film EUV optical devices has already started. The group develops forefront fundamental research, relevant to high-tech, industrial focused applications (www.utwente.nl/xuv/). The research will take place in a state-of-the-art thin film laboratory within the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente, in collaboration with various industrial partners and PTB.
YOUR PROFILE
- You have a Master’s degree in solid state or plasma/photo-surface physics, materials science, light-matter interaction or a related field.
- You have lab experience with plasma, thin film deposition and/or thin film analysis setups.
- You have affinity with the realization of physical or chemical depositions of nanoscale thin films (MEMS, CMOS or related) and their optical, structural, and mechanical analysis.
- You are an excellent team player in an enthusiastic group of scientists and engineers working on a common theme. You will design, discuss and execute key experiments at the MESA+ and PTB Laboratory at BESSY II in Berlin.
- You are creative, like to push boundaries, and are highly motivated to address major open science challenges in thin film physics.
- You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with industrial and academic parties in regular meetings and work visits.
OUR OFFER
You will be appointed on a fulltime position for four years. The position is available immediately. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment. The PhD salary is € 2.541 in the first year, increasing to € 3.247 in the fourth year. The offer further involves a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, a minimum of 29 holidays, and numerous professional and personal development programmes.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Your reaction should include an application/motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation, a detailed CV, a publication list, contact details of referees, and an academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure. For more information about the position, you are encouraged to contact Dr.ir. Wesley van den Beld at w.t.e.vandenbeld@utwente.nl.