Background
Metal hydrides form a class of compounds ranging from the recently discovered high temperature superconductors (up to room temperature at high pressure) to intermetallics
that drastically change their physical properties upon the reversible addition and removal of hydrogen. Examples of the latter class are for instance complex metal hydrides based on transition metals. Gaseous hydrogen that surrounds the material splits at the metal interface
and diffuses through the lattice to eventually cause a metal-to-insulator transition. Despite the spectacular optical, electronic and structural changes at this reversible phase transition, for many hydrides its nature is unknown. Although recent work hints at strong electron correlations in a very narrow density of states at the Fermi level, it is not conclusive about the low energy behavior. For applications, the versatile and reversible response in a wide range of hydrogen concentrations make these hydrides promising candidates for hydrogen sensing.
Research
The goal of this 4 year research project is to study the electronic and vibrational behavior of complex metal hydrides as a function of the hydrogen concentration and to translate these fundamental properties into a concept hydrogen sensing application with societal relevance. The successful candidate will grow multilayer samples using the NanoAccess facility of the Applied Physics department and perform optical spectroscopy measurements at THz and infrared frequencies as a function of various tuning parameters. He/she is expected to build the measurement setup, analyze the data using physical models and explore complementary experimental techniques (such as magnetometry and transport measurements) required for understanding the intriguing light-matter interaction. Theoretical support is provided through various collaborations, and application-related hybrid signal processing will be developed in collaboration within the Signal Processing Group at TU/e.
We welcome applications from candidates with a MSc degree or equivalent in Physics or a related field. Experience with optical and transport studies, thin film growth and (Python) programming is advantageous.
More information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
dr. J.L.M. van Mechelen, j.l.m.v.mechelen[at]tue.nl.
For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl.
Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!
Application
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