The Optics Research Group Delft

Job opportunities

1 PhD in adaptive optics: high resolution optics using tunable optical elements
1 PhD position: area of THz near-field microscopy.

PhD in adaptive optics: high resolution optics using tunable optical elements

Project and job description
Research concerns extremely accurate adaptive systems to improve image formation. Conventionally, adaptive optics is applied to correct for blurring due to atmospheric turbulence of astronomic imaging. In this project other promising applications of adaptive optics are studied, such as image correction for EUV projectionlenses, adaptive null-lenses for calibration of optical systems and adaptive optics of laser sources.The research concerns both theory and experiments.

Requirements
Applicants should have graduated in physics. Knowledge of geometrical and/or physical optics is recommended. Delft University of Technology is a bilingual organisation. A good command of English (written and spoken) is essential, while a good command of Dutch is also preferred.

Conditions of employment
The extent of this position is a maximum of 38 hours per week (1 FTE). This position has a temporary employment basis of 1 year (12 months). The estimated PhD starting salary is € 2,042 per month gross, with a maximum of € 2,612 gross (based on a full-time appointment and depending on experience). Benefits and other employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The successful candidate will be employed by TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years (48 months). Within nine months from the start of the PhD research, the appointee will present his or her proposal to a scientific committee. If the proposal is approved, the appointment will be extended for another three years within which he/she is expected to write a dissertation leading to the Dr title (PhD thesis). With regard to selection, internal candidates take precedence over external candidates. TU Delft strives to increase the number of women in higher academic positions; women are thus especially encouraged to apply.

Information and application
For further details on the position you are welcome to contact Prof. H.P. Urbach, phone: +31 (0) 15 – 27 86146 or: +31 (0)15 – 27 81444, e-mail: h.p.urbach at tudelft.nl

To apply, please send a detailed CV together with a letter of motivation to Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, attn. Prof. H.P. Urbach, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands; or apply online to: h.p.urbach at tudelft.nl.

The Optics Research Group currently has one position for PhD students in the area of THz near-field microscopy.

Short description of the research
Under normal circumstances, light cannot be focused down to spotsizes with diameters smaller than approximately half-a-wavelength. For radiation with a frequency of 1 THz, which corresponds to a wavelength of 300 micrometers, this implies that it is impossible to study objects smaller than about 150 micrometer. This so-called diffraction limit thus poses a problem for the development of a THz microscope.
The research proposed here is about methods to overcome the diffraction limit with the aim to develop a THz microscope which has a spatial resolution of about 100 nm in the 1-50 THz frequency range. This frequency range is attractive as many organic molecules have resonances in this frequencty range and such a microscope will have numerous biological applications.
Normally, the diffraction limit implies that when you illuminate an object with dimensions much smaller than the wavelength with THz light, the object has a negligible effect on the field very far away from the object, in the so-called far-field. It is only in the direct neighbourhood of the object that the THz field is significantly distorted.
We plan to investigate a number of new methods with which these near-field effects can be studied. These methods include the use of sharp metal tips, holes and other structures to concentrate light into a tiny volume and they require fundamental studies into the nature of the near-field, the effects of plasmons, and evanescent waves. The research requires that you work with state-of-the-art femtosecond lasers and optics and that you can collaborate well with others.

General information:
The Optics Research Group within the faculty of Applied Sciences is active in the field of wave propagation, diffraction and image formation. Apart from optical aperture synthesis for astronomical and space applications, current research topics are imaging with Terahertz radiation, subwavelength phenomena and lithography.

Application:
Application, curriculum vitae and possible list of publications to be sent to:
dr. P.C.M. Planken, E-mail: p.c.m.planken at tudelft.nl
More detailed information can be obtained from the same person (phone +31 15 2786965 and +31 15 2781444 )