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Master thesis offer 2014-2015 The Nanoscience Cooperative Research Center nanoGUNE, located at the Ibaeta Campus of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Donostia – San Sebastian, offers Master students the possibility to develop their Master Thesis within one of its research groups. Master Theses subjects for 2014-2015 are: Nanomagnetism: o Spectroscopic Magneto-Optical Ellipsometry o Fabrication of epitaxial magnetic films and multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy o Magneto-optical activity in spatially confined geometries o Magnetic nanostructures for biomedical applications Nanooptics o Fabrication and characterization of graphene optical nanoresonators o Theory for Graphene Nanooptics Self-Assembly: o Nanofibers o Liquids on the nanoscale Naniobiomechanics o Paleoenzymology o Molecular nanobiomechanics Nanodevices o Creation and study of new 2D materials beyond graphene Electron Microscopy o Deposition and characterization structures grown by focused electron beams Theory: o Theory of new nanosize phases o Theory of organic spintronics Nanomaterials: o Bioinorganic hybrid materials Nanoimaging: o Atomic scale magnetism on the surface structure of diamond o Light emission from surfaces and molecules at the nanoscale

Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

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Page 1: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

The Nanoscience Cooperative Research Center nanoGUNE, located at the Ibaeta Campus of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Donostia – San Sebastian, offers Master students the possibility to develop their Master Thesis within one of its research groups.

Master Theses subjects for 2014-2015 are:

• Nanomagnetism: o Spectroscopic Magneto-Optical Ellipsometry o Fabrication of epitaxial magnetic films and multilayers with perpendicular

anisotropy o Magneto-optical activity in spatially confined geometries o Magnetic nanostructures for biomedical applications

• Nanooptics o Fabrication and characterization of graphene optical nanoresonators o Theory for Graphene Nanooptics

• Self-Assembly: o Nanofibers o Liquids on the nanoscale

• Naniobiomechanics o Paleoenzymology o Molecular nanobiomechanics

• Nanodevices o Creation and study of new 2D materials beyond graphene

• Electron Microscopy o Deposition and characterization structures grown by focused electron beams

• Theory: o Theory of new nanosize phases o Theory of organic spintronics

• Nanomaterials: o Bioinorganic hybrid materials

• Nanoimaging: o Atomic scale magnetism on the surface structure of diamond o Light emission from surfaces and molecules at the nanoscale

Page 2: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Spectroscopic Magneto-Optical Ellipsometry

The goal of this Master project is to extent a generalized magneto-optical ellipsometer (GME) to allow for multi-wavelength measurements. With such spectroscopic capabilities, this instrument will then allow very precise magneto-optical magnetometry measurements, such as:

• 3-dimensional vector magnetometry • depth-resolved magnetometry

The project will consist of two parts. In the first part, the GME set-up will be reconfigured with a broad-band light source and a photo-diode array spectrometer that allows for simultaneous multi-wavelength measurements. Once the system is operational, measurements on magnetic thin film, multilayer, and nano-structure samples (also produced in our labs) will be made to take advantage of the new characterization capabilities that this broad-spectrum light source offers. This work will include modifications of the experimental set-up and control software to run these novel experiments (LabView programming platform). In the second part, the experimental results will be analyzed so that quantitative data of the dielectric tensor for different films and materials can be extracted, as well as 3-dimensional vector magnetometry and depth-resolved magnetometry demonstrated, both of which have not been realized to date. This part will include data analysis programming, the use of commercial analysis software and will furthermore benefit from a good understanding of electromagnetism, optics, solid-state physics, and ferromagnetism. Scientist in charge: Dr. Andreas Berger, CIC nanoGUNE [email protected] Nanomagnetism Group: nanomagnetism.nanogune.eu

Page 3: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Fabrication of epitaxial magnetic films and multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy

The goal of this Master project is to create crystallographic ordered, high-quality magnetic films and multilayers that have a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, so that their net magnetization points (all or in part) along the surface normal. The purpose of this work is to

• study and classify suitable fabrication conditions • understand their magnetic behavior, especially the

magnetization reversal

These goals are not only of substantial scientific, but also technological interest because all hard disk drive technology today, which is the backbone of the world-wide installed information storage, is based on magnetic films and multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy. Modern fabrication techniques, such as the Ultra High Vacuum Sputter system at CIC nanoGUNE, allow for the precise fabrication of so-called multilayer structures, in which different ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers are alternated and fabricated in stacks with sub-nm precision. It is hereby interesting to note that ferromagnetic films with perpendicular anisotropy can form laterally varying order structures, called domains. The master project will include a study of this particular aspect as well. In the first part of the project different ferromagnetic alloy films and multilayers will be fabricated. Subsequently, microscopic magnetic domains will be measured and classified by means of using a magnetic force microscope (MFM) and their field stability will be evaluated with the help of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The project will involve the fabrication and characterization of samples as well as the analysis of experimental results. Some prior knowledge of solid-state physics and ferromagnetism will be beneficial. Scientist in charnge: Dr. Andreas Berger, [email protected] Nanomagnetism Group: nanomagnetism.nanogune.eu

Page 4: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale

SUITABLE FOR physicists, materials scientists, engineers In the last decade, and driven by the strong development of nanotechnology, there has been an increased interest in the study of the optical properties of metallic nanostructures and nanoparticles and their ability to control and manipulate light. In particular, it was found that tailor designed nanostructured materials offers the possibility to control propagation, localization, and polarization of light at the nanoscale and beyond the intrinsic properties of the constituent material. A current focal point of research is, thereby, the development of novel nanostructured composite materials (metamaterials) with “designed” and tunable optical properties. These novel materials exploit the capability of metallic nanoparticles to confine the electromagnetic (EM) field beyond the diffraction limit when properly excited by the electromagnetic field of a light beam impinging on them (plasmon resonance). This property offers a way to beat the light diffraction limit and enable a path towards subwavelength optics to be used to develop nano-photonics devices. Equivalently interesting, is the strong dependence of this EM field confinement effect on the environment that offers a clear pathway to the development of ultrasensitive (at the single molecule level) sensors for environmental and biological applications.

Particularly interesting are composite metamaterials made of ferromagnetic nanoelements because they combine the plasmonic behavior described above with intertwined optical and magnetic properties (magneto-optical activity). Thereby, the use of MO-active nanostructures can open up the pathway to design new types of nano-photonic devices and biosensors with enhanced performances, which can be remotely controlled by external magnetic fields.

The goal of the present master project is the experimental exploration and control of the mutual relations between magnetism and optical properties of ferromagnetic composite metamaterials combining MO-activity and plasmonic behavior. To this purpose, laser-based measurement spectrometers that measure light intensity/polarization and intensity/polarization changes with a very high degree of precision are required. One such example is the experimental MOKE (Magneto Optical Kerr Effect) spectrometer (SpectroMOKE) at nanoGUNE that measures light intensity/polarization changes, which are caused by the magnetic properties of materials, including arrays of magnetic nano-objects, in the spectral region from 400 to 1800 nm.

The spectroMOKE set-up will be utilized to measure the optical and MO spectral response of metamaterials made of ferromagnetic-alloys and multilayered nano-structures of several sizes and shape

deposited on a dielectric substrate, also prepared in our laboratory. The acquired data will then be analyzed using modeling tools based on standard electromagnetic theory, which has been specifically devised in our

group to deal with nano-scale optical

objects.

The

Figure: (left panel) electromagnetic field confinement effect due to the excitation of a localized plasmon in a metallic nanostructure; (central panel) example of a nanofotonic device for light polarization manipulation; (right panel) examples of ferromagnetic nanoscale optical objects implementing magneto-plasmonic functionalitites.

Page 5: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

nanomagnet ism research group The Nanomagnetism Group at CIC nanoGUNE is conducting world-class basic and applied research in the field of magnetism in nano-scale structures. The Group staff has a longstanding expertise and proven track record in fundamental and applied aspects of nano-magnetism, and specifically in the use of magneto-optical methods. The main scientific topics pursued by the Nanomagnetism Group are:

- understanding magnetism and magnetic phenomena on very small length and very fast time scales in systems with competing interactions by means of experiments and theory

- development of advanced methodologies and tooling for magnetic materials characterization at the nanometer-length scale and the picosecond-timescale (especially magneto-optics)

- design, fabrication and characterization of novel nanometer-scale magnetic structures, meta-magnetic materials, thin films and multilayers

- novel concepts for applied magnetic nano-scale materials

References and reading l i s t

• G. R. Fowles, Introduction to Modern Optics (Dover Publications, INC., New York) • M. J. Freiser, IEEE Trans. Magn. 4, 152 (1968) • P. Vavassori, App. Phys. Lett. 77, 1605 (2000) • N. Maccaferri et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 167401 (2013)

Scientist in charge: Dr. Paolo Vavassori, CIC nanoGUNE [email protected] Nanomagnetism Group: nanomagnetism.nanogune.eu

Page 6: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Artificially frustrated magnetic systems SUITABLE FOR physicists, materials scientists, engineers

Frustration is defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satisfied. Geometrical frustration, which arises from the topology of a well-ordered structure become a topic of considerable interest since it can be induced and tuned in a controlled way. In particular, geometrical frustration among spins in magnetic materials can lead to exotic low temperature states, of great interest for fundamental and applied studies. In the specific, we are interested in the so called “artificial spin ices” (ASIs), which is a class of lithographically created arrays of interacting ferromagnetic nanometre-scale islands. It was introduced to investigate many-body phenomena related to frustration and disorder in a material that could be tailored to precise specifications and imaged directly. From a different viewpoint, ASIs form a metamaterial where the properties are designed in and arise due to the engineering of the mesoscale properties (the size, shape, and placement of the islands). As such, they offer broad scientific and technological perspectives: implementation of statistical mechanics models of theory, model systems for the study of out-of-equilibrium thermodynamics, and prototypes for physical systems that store and process information in unconventional ways, ( complex networks and neuromorphic computers). Recently, we demonstrate a method for thermalizing ASIs by heating above the temperature for activation of thermal fluctuations (TB). This thermally induced demagnetization protocol can be repeated as many times as desired on the same sample, and the heating/cooling parameters can be varied at will. Thereby, this

approach opens the pathway to the systematic experimental study of thermally induced ordered states in artificial spin-ice systems.

In this project, we will direct our studies towards the design and fabrication of ASIs of various geometries with the purpose of tuning the energy barrier for thermal fluctuation activation via shape and size of the individual nano-elements as well as the constituent material properties. In this way one can achieve an unprecedented tuning of the dipolar interactions during the frustration accommodation in the thermalization process. We will investigate the novel magnetic phases that would emerge from the ground states of frustrated lattices via magnetic imaging, as well as their collective dynamics excited by radio-frequency and pulsed magnetic fields.

To these purpose we will use the magnetic force and magneto-optical microscopy tools and the ferromagnetic resonance measurements setup available at nanoGUNE.

Figure: Upper panel: possible vertices configurations in a square ASI; vertex configurations of type T1 are the lowest energy (ground state); vertex configurations T2-T4 have higher energy (vertex excitations). Lower panel: Scannig electrom microscopy image of sample implementing a square ASI (a), followed by a MFM image after the application of our proposed thermal demagnetization protocol has (c); the inset shows an area with ground-state ordering (b); these ground-state ordering regions (T1 vertex type, white contrast) are separated by lines of vertex excitations (T2 and T3 vertex types, blue and red contrasts) (d).

Page 7: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

The nanomagnet ism research group The Nanomagnetism Group at CIC nanoGUNE is conducting world-class basic and applied research in the field of magnetism in nano-scale structures. The Group staff has a longstanding expertise and proven track record in fundamental and applied aspects of nano-magnetism, and specifically in the use of magneto-optical methods. The main scientific topics pursued by the Nanomagnetism Group are:

- understanding magnetism and magnetic phenomena on very small length and very fast time scales in systems with competing interactions by means of experiments and theory

- development of advanced methodologies and tooling for magnetic materials characterization at the nanometer-length scale and the picosecond-timescale (especially magneto-optics)

- design, fabrication and characterization of novel nanometer-scale magnetic structures, meta-magnetic materials, thin films and multilayers

- novel concepts for applied magnetic nano-scale materials References and reading l i s t

• R. F. Wang et al., Nature 439, 303 (2006) • J. P. Morgan, A. Stein, S. Langridge, and C. H. Marrows, Nature Phys. 7, 75 (2011) • J. M. Porro, A. Bedoya-Pinto, A. Berger, and P. Vavassori, New J. Phys. 15, 055012 (2013) • E. Nikulina, O. Idigoras, P. Vavassori, A. Chuvilin, and A. Berger, Appl. Phys. Lett. 100, 142401 (2012). • T. Verduci, C. Rufo, A. Berger, V. Metlushko, B. Ilic, and P. Vavassori, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 092501 (2011).

Scientist in charge: Dr. Paolo Vavassori, CIC nanoGUNE [email protected] Nanomagnetism Group: nanomagnetism.nanogune.eu

Page 8: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Fabrication and charaterization of graphene optical nanoresonators SUITABLE FOR physicists, materials scientists, engineers

Forthcoming information and communication technologies demand the manipulation of not only electrons but also light at the nanoscale. Due to its unique properties graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, offers a possible solution in this direction as light can be strongly squeezed on it.

In this project, the student will further the fabrication and characterization of graphene nanoresonators, that is, graphene cavities with lengths below 1 micron. These graphene structures allow for concentrating light very efficiently, which makes them to act as nano-lanterns. The optical properties of these cavities will be studied by far-field FTIR spectroscopy and near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM).

Scientist in charge: Dr. Pablo Alonso-González, [email protected] Nanooptics Group: nanooptics.nanogune.eu

Figure: Shows the optical near field of a grapehne cavity.

300 nm

Page 9: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Theory for Graphene Nanooptics SUITABLE FOR physicists, materials scientists, engineers

Extraordinary properties of graphene make it a very promising material for use in many exciting optoelectronic applications. However, this is still a nascent field, where some basic concepts of the electromagnetic field interaction with graphene must be explored. We invite talented and highly-motivated candidates (with a background in physics/mathematics) to be absorbed in an interesting scientific research based on both analytic and numeric analysis of the optical fields created in an atomically-thick sheet. A close daily contact with experiments

performed with the help of a state-of-the-art equipment will allow the candidate to touch the very frontiers of science. Scientist in charge: Dr. Alexey Nikitin, [email protected] [http://alexeynik.com] Nanooptics Group: nanooptics.nanogune.eu

Page 10: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Nanofibers in San Sebastián

Alexander Bittner's group focuses on self-assembly of biomolecules and functional materials, and looks for a Master candidate. Our new group member should be self-motivated, a team player, and willing to learn new experimental techniques from biochemistry to nanoscale physics. We are searching for a physicist, chemist or biologist interested in combining the natural self-assembly of proteins with electrospinning: A droplet of protein solution is subjected to a high voltage and drawn into extremely thin fibres – let’s beat our record: 5 nm! The physics of the process, the chemical properties of the molecular species, aspects of structure formation, and application in biology and medicine meet in a challenging and fresh project. Scientist in charge: Dr. Alexander Bittner, [email protected] Self-Assembly Group: self-assembly.nanogune.eu

Page 11: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Paleoenzymology

The Nanobiomechanics Laborotory is led by Dr. Raul Perez-Jimenez who joined nanoGUNE in February 2013 coming from Columbia University (New York). One of the research lines involves the usage of statistical techniques to resurrect in the laboratory proteins and enzymes from extinct organisms and apply AFM techniques to study their properties. This ancestral proteins and enzymes are also potentially important in biotechnology due to the similarity between the atmospheric condition of early Earth and the conditions of certain industrial processes (high temperature and low pH). During the master, the students will learn phylogenetic techniques to bring back to life genes that have been extinct for million of years. In particular, enzymes with biotechnological applications will be resurrected and tested in the laboratory with special attention to those relevant in the bioenergy industry. Scientist in charge: Dr. Raul Perez-Jimenez, [email protected] Nanobiomechanics Group: nanobiomechanics.nanogune.eu

Page 12: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Molecular Nanobiomechanics

The Nanobiomechanics Laborotory is led by Dr. Raul Perez-Jimenez who joined nanoGUNE in February 2013 coming from Columbia University (New York). The main research line is the study ofthe role of mechanical forces in chemical and biological process at the molecular level. The group uses advanced atomic force microscopes (AFM) and molecular biology techniques to study the mechanics of proteins and enzymes. The Nanobiomehcanics group studies proteins with clear implications in diseases and disorders such as cell surface receptors and oxidoreductase enzymes. During the master, the students will learn the usage of atomic force microscopy as well as standard procedures to express in the laboratory proteins. Analysis and interpretation of AFM data will also form part of the project. Scientist in charge: Dr. Raul Perez-Jimenez, [email protected] Nanobiomechanics Group: nanobiomechanics.nanogune.eu

Page 13: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Creation and study of new 2D materials beyond graphene

Graphene has become one of the most interesting nanomaterials in the past years because of its unique physical properties arising from being two-dimensional (2D), including high mobility, optical transparency, flexibility or high mechanical strength, which make it a promising platform for electronics, sensors, photonics, or spintronics.

Similarly to graphite, formed by layers of graphene, other layered nanomaterials including transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) retain their stability down to monolayers. TMDs show interesting properties associated to 2D confinement which are complementary to those of graphene and are also expected to have great potential in nanoelectronics, sensing, or energy harvesting. MoS2 is a typical example from the TMD family. In this project, the student will fabricate flakes of MoS2 by mechanical exfoliation, the original technique used for

graphene. By different nanocharacterization methods, including optical, electron and atomic force microscopies, the number of layers in particular flakes will be identified. The electronic properties of MoS2 monolayers will be studied after electrically contacting the identified flakes using nanofabrication. Extensive use of nanocharacterization techniques will be required and the student will also learn the basis of nanoelectronics measurements. The Nanodevices Group in CIC nanoGUNE is mostly interested in the electronic properties of systems in reduced dimensions. Our research program is currently articulated around different themes of research related to spintronics, multifunctional devices and advanced nanofabrication. Scientist in charge: Dr. Felix Casanova, [email protected] Nanodevices Group: nanodevices.nanogune.eu

Page 14: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Deposition and characterization structures grown by focused electron beams SUITABLE FOR physicists, materials scientists, engineers

The electron microscopy laboratory invites a highly-motivated candidate to take place in a scientific research based on focused electron induced deposition (FEBID) techniques. FEBID techniques are based on the deposition of materials by means of a focused electron beam that scans the substrate in the presence of a gas precursor. The technique is aimed for nanofabrication of surface and 3 dimensional structures with a spatial resolution down to 10nm and is industrially used in semiconductor industry for target lithographical mask and chip repair.

In this project, a new FEBID process based on metal-organic compounds will be optimized in order to improve physical and chemical properties of deposits: their purity and electrical conductivity. The candidate will intensively use a high end dual-beam scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and precursor injection system.

Scientist in charnge: Dr. M.J. Perez, [email protected] Electron Microscopy Laboratory: electron-microscopy.nanogune.eu

Page 15: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Theory of new nanosize phases

The theory and simulation lines started in September 2011, and is lead by Emilio Artacho, coming from the University of Cambridge. He is considering candidates for a Master’s project in the theory of solid phases stabilized at the nano scale (otherwise unstable), within the context of materials showing coupling of different order parameters, towards nanodevice development. The work will include theoretical simulations in highperformance computers, and will be suitable for condensed matter/solid state physics or theoretical chemistry graduates, with good knowledge of English, and interest in computing and supercomputers.

Scientist in charge: Dr. Emilio Artacho, [email protected] Theory Group: theory.nanogune.eu

Page 16: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Theory of organic spintronics

The theory and simulation lines started in September 2011, and is lead by Emilio Artacho, coming from the University of Cambridge. He is considering candidates for a Master’s project in the theory and computer simulation of electron spin injection at organic-inorganic interfaces relevant to organic electronics and spintronics. The work will include theoretical simulations in high-performance computers, and will be suitable for

condensed matter/solid state physics or theoretical chemistry graduates, with good knowledge of English, and interest in computing and supercomputers. Scientist in charge: Dr. Emilio Artacho, [email protected] Theory Group: theory.nanogune.eu

Page 17: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Functional Materials Design: Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials

Incorporation of minerals can seriously alter physical properties of diverse polymers. One prominent example of such alteration is the change of mechanical properties of the biopolymer collagen after mineralization of hydroxyapatite and thus formation of bone with exceptional fracture resistance. In this project we aim to investigate an alternative way of hybridization of inorganic materials with natural and technical polymers. The hybridization process is based on chemical vapor phase techniques, and the resulting materials will be evaluated for their resulting structural, chemical and physical properties. The fundamental knowledge obtained from the experiments should help to design novel ways of controlled manipulation of mechanical strength, toughness, but also electrical conductivity and optical properties of polymeric materials, eventually proving a new concept of functional material design. The project will involve interdisciplinary work and the student will get insight into both chemical and physical strategies for synthesis and characterization available at nanoGUNE. Those include chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods such as atomic layer deposition (ALD), various chemical and physical characterization techniques including tensile testing, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, etc. The candidate will ideally have fundamental knowledge and strong interest in materials science or chemistry/physics. He/she will be eager to perform basic research with high application potential in an international and interdisciplinary research group. Scientist in charge: Dr. Mato Knez, [email protected] Nanomaterials Group: nanomaterials.nanogune.eu

Page 18: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Engineering Aspects for the Synthesis of Bioinorganic Materials

Enzymes play a key role in biological processes. They catalyze chemical reactions without the need of thermal activation and in this way eventually enable life. The technical aspect of enzymes is becoming increasingly important as a properly functioning enzyme may allow synthesis or conversion of biomaterials with much lower energy consumption. However, natural enzymes base on proteins and are sensitive to environmental conditions such as pH value, temperature, etc. The thesis will investigate alternative aspects for the synthesis of bio-inorganic materials, which are expected to efficiently mimic natural enzymes while at the same time being more stable in various environmental conditions. In collaboration with the personnel present in the group the student will design a setup for manipulation of proteins in an electric field and subsequent hybridization of the proteins with metals. After successful synthesis, the evaluation of the optimal parameters will be performed and some fundamental testing of biocompatibility, enzyme mimetic behavior, etc. will be done. The characterization will involve the operation of optical spectroscopies (UV-Vis and where necessary infrared, Raman, etc.), mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS, ICP-MS), etc. The candidate will ideally have fundamental knowledge and strong interest in the topical intersection of biology and engineering. He/she will be eager to perform basic research with high application potential in an international and interdisciplinary research group. Scientist in charge: Dr. Mato Knez, [email protected] Nanomaterials Group: nanomaterials.nanogune.eu

Page 19: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Atomic scale magnetism on the surface structure of diamond

The Master project proposed will investigate the atomic structure of the surface of diamond using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Diamond is a wide gap insulating material lately used to accommodate atomic dopants, which retain a stable magnetic character for unusually large time scales. Magnetism in diamond challenges its use as a based material for quantum computation devices. The research will employ state of art instrumentation to investigate magnetic structures (nanowires and clusters) constructed atom by atom on the surface of diamond using the tip of the atomic force microscope. The goal is to explore quantum behavior of these model structures under the presence of atomic neighbors into artificial nanostructures. The master student will use an atomic force microscope, working in ultra high vacuum, low temperature, and under controlled magnetic fields, as the basic tool for her/his research. AFM “senses” interaction forces between a sharp tip and a surface. Latest developments of this technique permit to reach force sensitivity as weak as a few piconewtons, and resolve them spatially with atomic resolution. In this Master project, the student will be part of a research group investigating atomic scale spectroscopy of surfaces and atomic/molecular nanostructures using scanning probe methods. Scientist in charge: Dr. Jose Ignacio Pascual, [email protected] Nanoimaging Group: nanoimaging.nanogune.eu

Page 20: Master thesis offer 2014-2015 - mscnano.eu · Master thesis offer 2014-2015 Master Project: Nanostructured magnetic materials for light manipulation at the nanoscale SUITABLE FOR

Master thesis offer 2014-2015

Master Project:

Quantum effects in optoelectronic nanodevices

The interaction of light with structures much smaller than its wavelength, i.e. far below the diffraction limit, is enhanced by the effect that electromagnetic fields cause in the charge of the object. The excitation of plasmons enhances and focuses the light in the proximity of the nanostructure, mediating the energy exchange between photons and electrons. As the size of metal nanostructures and optoelectronic nanodevices approaches atomic scale dimensions, quantization effects in their electronic and plasmon structure gain increasing relevance in the scattering of light. Thus, understanding the coupling of photons with electrons in the presence of quantum effects is crucial for improving the functionality of optoelectronic nanodevices like light emitting diodes or for the performance of nanoparticles in fields like medicine, or catalysis.

This Master project will investigate the emission of light by electronic current passing through quantum objects like nanowires, clusters or molecular chains. Electrons tunnelling through quantum structures can excite both localized plasmons and luminescence-like (mediated by electronic transitions) processes. From the spectral analysis of the emitted photons we will resolve the quantum character of the plasmonic light emitted.

The work will be done in a low temperature scanning tunnelling and force microscopies, coupled to a light excitation and detection set-up, and able of resolving at the atomic scale both electronic structure and light scattering/emission by the atomic-sized antennas in response to optical/electron excitations.

This Master project is offered for students interested in experimental physics and optics. She/he will be part of a research group investigating atomic scale spectroscopy of surfaces and atomic/molecular nanostructures using scanning probe methods.

Scientist in charge: Dr. Jose Ignacio Pascual, [email protected] Nanoimaging Group: nanoimaging.nanogune.eu