Ref. 2018-36
About the position
Considering that thermal design constraints are one of the most challenging problems for the microelectronics industry today, it comes as a surprise that so little is known about heat generation and dissipation on the nanoscale. In fact, there is no established method to perform temperature measurements at a spatial resolution that matches typical feature sizes found in today’s cutting-edge integrated circuits. To tackle these challenges, our team is developing new methods and tools for measuring temperature and heat transport down to the atomic scale. Our setups operate in IBM’s unique noisefree labs, which are among the best shielded nanotechnology labs in the world. Our work is relevant to developing next-generation computers and scientific models. We are helping to identify future technologies by evaluating new materials and device concepts from a thermal perspective.
You will join our nanoelectronics team and learn how to use a custom-built scanning thermal microscope, which has recently demonstrated world-record performance in terms of spatial resolution and sensitivity. You will help to further improve the machine and perform your own experiments. This is an opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art exploratory research facility. You will have close interaction with leading experts in the fields of nanofabrication, device physics and high-sensitivity transport measurements. You will become familiar with our specialized laboratory and cleanroom facility. You will work in a collaborative and creative group in a lively research environment.
The topic of your thesis will be the investigation of thermal effects in single crystalline Al/Ge nanowires with very small diameters. Pure Al nanowires have shown the capacity to carry extremely high electrical current densities, meeting the targets for interconnects in future technology nodes. It has also been shown that a Ge section incorporated in such a wire exhibits quantum ballistic transport at room temperature and photon detection at the theoretical limit of sensitivity. Devices based on this material system could be applied to quantum computing and high-resolution light detection and imaging. Your role is to study how thermal energy is dissipated and transported by electrons and phonons in these quasi one-dimensional nanoelectronic systems, and to analyze and interpret the findings together with the IBM Research staff and our partners at Vienna University of Technology.
A 3D overlay of topography and temperature signal (top), a peek into the custom-made measurement setup you will be working with (left), and some chips of the type you will be investigating (right).
Requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated and adventurous Master’s student with a major in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. Basic programming experience in Python and Matlab would be helpful.
Diversity
IBM is committed to diversity at the workplace. With us you will find an open, multicultural environment. Excellent flexible working arrangements enable both women and men to strike the desired balance between their professional development and their personal lives.
How to apply
If you are interested in this challenging and cutting-edge Master’s project and the above description matches your profile, please do not hesitate to send your CV, together with a transcript of records, to
Dr. Fabian Könemann
IBM Research – Zurich
Säumerstrasse 4
8803 Rüschlikon
Switzerland
044 724 8031
Application per email is preferred. Please note that we cannot offer any remuneration to Master’s students. Therefore, this opportunity is mainly targeted at students enrolled at ETH Zurich who are already based in the area.