Context:
The development of monochromatic microwave sources and terahertz detectors with high spectral resolution is driven by applications with international repercussions on space sub-millimeter radio astronomy instrumentation (MIRO- Rosetta, HIFI-Herschel, etc.), atmospheric sciences (ODIN, AMSU, ICI-METOP,...), and spectroscopy in the laboratory. During the last 15 years, LERMA associated with C2N work together on the design and the realiza-tion of THz mixers and multipliers, based on the GaAs Schottky diodes, in order to build ultra-sensitive THz devices for radio-astronomy. Recently, LERMA-C2N has developed and fabricated the 300 GHz and 600 GHz multipliers, as well as the 1.2 THz mixer, that are installed on the SWI (Submillimeter Wave Instrument) for the JUICE (JUpiter ICy Moon Explorer) mission, which will be launched in April 2023 to study Jupiter and its moons. LERMA Observatoire de Paris-PSL continues further to work on the design and fabrication of sources based on Schottky diodes in order to improve their performances and develop the new powerful high frequency sources THz (up to 2 THz) for the next generation of space instrumentation.
The group has a large international network such as the wideband millimetre receivers for European research infrastructures “RADIOBLOCKS” involving high rank European institutes: IRAM, INAF, STFC-RAL, UOXF, TUD, INUMAN, Chalmers, MPG, RUG, are is regularly working in partnership with space agencies (CNES, ESA, NASA…) and industry.
Objectives of the PhD
This experimental thesis has the ambition to develop a coherent and monochromatic 1.9 THz solid-state source and its associated components for multipixel arrays receivers in astronomy. The thesis study will cover the model-ing, fabrication and measurements of the Terahertz source and its associated components. Different aspect will be studied including spectral purity, phase stability, intermodulation levels from the first frequency synthesizer at 100 GHz (W-band) up to the 1.9 THz signal coupling interfaces at the focal plane of the multipixel detectors. The thesis will make it possible to develop complete models that will bring a new methodological approach for the in-ternational Terahertz community, using resources from the Paris Observatory and C2N: The design will be based on the excellent performances of the frequency multiplication stages at 600 GHz and 300 GHz used for the SWI of the JUICE mission at the end of the phase D from the ESA and whose TMIC e-beam Terahertz C2N-LERMA tech-nology has been spatially qualified (TRL8).
The activity is supported by the national PEPR “electronics for conversion” program involving CNRS laboratories: C2N, CEA-LETI, IEMN, IETR-Rennes, X-LIM.
Candidates requirements:
* Education level: Master or equivalent degree in electrical or material engineering or physics.
* Expertise: Microwave engineering, Physics of semiconductors. Circuit Design and Numerical modeling (HFSS, CST, ADS…) are appreciated.
* Language: English, French (not required).
Other information:
* PhD. duration: 36 months. Gross Salary is 2135 to 2335 euros/month, (and 2335 to 2535 euros/months including teaching possibility up to 64h/year): [
www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr]
* Location: 77 avenue Denfert Rochereau, 75014 PARIS
* Benefits: French social security system, Family friendly, funding for conferences, access to the laboratory and its large instrumentation hardware resources,
* To apply please send your motivation letter before June 30th, CV, and recommendation letters to: Dr. Jeanne TREUTTEL
jeanne.Treuttel@obspm.fr .