Post-doctoral Position - AD UltraSNOM

Post-doctoral Position - AD UltraSNOM

SOLEIL Synchrotron

Saint-Aubin, France

Context and mission

SMIS is an infrared spectromicroscopy beamline that delivers high-brilliance radiation in the mid and far-IR spectral range. The synchrotron beam is split to operate two endstations in parallel, one of which is an Attocube NeaSCOPE sSNOM instrument. The beamline is dedicated to multiscale spectromicroscopy through a world class spectromicroscopy instrumentation park, allowing as high as ~20 nm spatial resolution and up to several cm sample size combining several instruments.

In the framework of UltraSNOM we will develop and investigate a new nanophotonic chemical analysis modality to reach ultra-high detection sensitivity. We will integrate scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (sSNOM) with graphene devices and couple the light in the near-field into the devices, also containing a minute amount of analyte. Spatial resolution will reach up to twenty nanometre lateral resolution, which translates to extremely small amounts of probed volumes. Through coupling between the plasmon polaritons of graphene and the analyte's molecular vibrations, we will be able to achieve ultrahigh detection sensitivity. Experiments will spread from the terahertz to the far-infrared, which are relevant in chemical fingerprinting. To achieve the best possible coupling and detection, we will model, characterize and optimize the AFM tips and employ thermoelectric detection in the terahertz where other types of detectors are missing. Compressed sensing will be used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements as less time will be necessary to accumulate a single spectrum.

The postdoc will work at the SMIS beamline under the supervision of Ferenc Borondics. They will participate in the UltraSNOM research project and will be granted in-house beam time while also submitting requests to the peer review committees. They will be encouraged to collaborate with beamline staff and users and may also pursue their own research interests. Publishing scientific results and presenting them at national and international conferences will be essential.

Responsibility and Tasks:

The postdoc will work on several topics in the framework of UltraSNOM:

• Tip/sample interaction simulation in the near field;
• Development of sSNOM data analysis tools;
• Device design, fabrication, characterization;
• 2D material stacking and analyte deposition optimization;
• sSNOM measurements and data analysis.

Profile

We’re looking for a motivated, curious, dynamic, autonomous person who strives working in a team.

The candidate should hold a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (chemistry, physics, near-field optics, materials science, etc.) and have experience with near field experiments and data analysis. Experience with scientific data modeling (COMSOL or similar software) and analysis at the coding level, preferably with Python is considered to be a strong advantage.

An excellent command of the English language and proven track record with publishing scientific papers is essential.

The postdoc will join an enthusiastic and growing multidisciplinary team at the SMIS beamline, benefiting from interactions with a plethora of national and international partnerships.