PhD Student- Oxide Nanoelectronics Group

Description of Group/Project:  

The research will focus on studying structure-properties relationship in novel quasi-bidimensional complex oxides. Our group has wide experience in the synthesis of single-crystal "freestanding" oxide membranes, with ferroelectric, magnetic or electronic properties. These membranes can be integrated in technologically relevant platforms (silicon/flexible polymers) making them highly appealing for novel applications in electronics, sensors, actuators, energy harvesters, etc. On top of that, they offer exciting possibilities to explore new physics in these multifunctional materials. This project aims to explore the tuning of oxide functionalities at the nanoscale via mechanical manipulation of the membranes, exploiting their demonstrated flexibility which allows us to induce microscopic wrinkle textures, as well as macroscopic bending and stretching. The student will make use of state-of-the-art scanning probe microscopy, as well as macroscopic electrical characterization techniques, to unveil the coupling of order parameters with strain and strain gradients in the functional membranes at different scales.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

• Fabrication of epitaxial films and freestanding membranes of complex oxides.
• Development of in-situ strain manipulation devices.
• Characterization via different variable-temperature atomic force microscopy techniques.
• Electrical measurements (dielectric, transport)
• Process and analysis the characterization data.
• Elaboration of periodic reports to keep track of the project progress.
• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations in conferences or workshops to showcase the results to the scientific community.