PhD position - Optomechanical reference oscillators

DETALLES DE LA OPORTUNIDAD

Recompensa total

0 $

Universidad Estatal

CEA Tech

Área

Europa Oriental

País anfitrión

Francia

Fecha límite

31 oct. 2021

Nivel de estudio

Doctorado

Tipo de oportunidad

Doctor

Especialidades

Ingeniería

Oportunidad de financiación

No financiación

Países elegibles

Esta oportunidad está destinada a todos los países

Región elegible

Todas las regiones

SL-DRT-21-0351

RESEARCH FIELD

Communication networks, IOT, radiofrequencies and antennas

ABSTRACT

Reference ocillators (clocks) are devices that generate signals with a very precise frequency, generally defined by the vibration of a mechanical element at resonance. Nowadays, they are ubiquitous elements in electronic circuits: for example, a smartphone or tablet can contain up to seven reference oscillators. However, the appearance of new technologies such as 5G or autonomous vehicles requires a level of performance that is not attainable by commercial clock technologies. One of the most promising routes to improve performance is the development of clocks based on micro-electromechanical (MEMS) resonators at high frequency (1-5 GHz, tens of GHz in the future). However, building high-performance MEMS resonators in the GHz range is highly challenging, mainly due to the difficulty of detecting their minuscule vibration amplitudes. One promising solution is to use optomechanical detection, using the same principle as gravitational wave detectors but integrated at nanometric scale. This technology, now well mastered at Leti, can be combined with the integration with piezoelectric materials to increase the attainable signal levels. This principle, recently demonstrated by several fundamental research groups, is now mature enough to evolve towards applications, and solves many of the difficulties involved in the implementation of MEMS clocks in the GHz range. The objective of the thesis is to develop a MEMS clock based on this novel optomechanical technology. The thesis will take place in the Microsensors Laboratory of the CEA-Leti, in collaboration with the RF Components Laboratory. The Leti is a pioneer in the implementation of on-chip optomechanical and piezoelectric resonators. The PhD student will work in collaboration with Leti researchers to design the MEMS resonators and their fabrication process, based on an analytical study and finite-element simulations. Then, the student will have the opportunity to contribute to the fabrication of the devices in clean room. Finally, the student will characterize them in the Leti’s laboratories, to extract their performance and implement a first demonstrator of optomechanical MEMS clock. The candidate will have a M.Sc. or equivalent degree, with a formation as a generalist engineer or physics, and a specialization on semi-conductor physics, nanotechnology, optics or a closely related field.