PhD in Laser Spectroscopy

Quantum Solid-state Physics (QSP) is a research unit of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, one of the five departments of the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven. QSP specializes in experimental research of solid-state systems and focuses in particular on quantum phenomena at the atomic and microscopic scale, i.e. on the origin and tunability of functional electronic properties (magnetic, superconducting, semiconducting, dielectric), in systems with reduced dimensionality, from single-atom defects, to nanoscale clusters, 2-dimensional materials, thin films, and 3-dimensional heterostructures./nProject:/nQSP is hiring a doctoral student to strengthen the cluster research team of prof. Ewald Janssens and prof. Peter Lievens. We wish to reinforce the activities on studies of optical properties, magnetism, and chemical reactivity of hybrid clusters. Ongoing projects include the interaction of hydrogen with gas phase carbon-metal clusters and carbon dioxide reduction using fullerene-transition metal hybrids as catalysts. An additional topic on cluster magnetism involves a systematic investigation of how magnetism of rare earth metal clusters is influenced by doping them with a few atoms of 3d transition metals. PhD students also are expected to take up teaching assistant tasks. The experimental work involves the study of clusters in molecular beams using mass spectrometry, infrared and visible light spectroscopy using OPO/OPA tunable lasers, in-beam reactivity studies, and Stern-Gerlach magnetic deflection experiments. The setups at KU Leuven are equipped with laser ablation sources to produce metal doped carbon clusters, fullerenes with transition metals, and nanoalloys of transition metal and rare earth elements. Far-infrared spectroscopy experiments will be performed at the free electron laser facility FELIX in The Netherlands./nOffer:/nWe offer a 4-year PhD scholarship to join a dynamic team of scientists. You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and multicultural city located in the heart of Europe, within 20 minutes from Brussels.