1 PostDoctoral (for one year) position in the program ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΑ «Manipulation of Phonons by Mesoscopic Engineering of Soft Matter» (SophoX) | Ίδρυμα Τεχνολογίας και Έρευνας

Hypersonic hybrid phononic structures

Project description

Periodic materials can control not only the propagation of light (photonics) but also modify the propagation of elastic waves (phononics) through the variation of density and elastic constants in space. Phononics define a rich emerging field with unexplored fundamental and applied research through the understanding of the phonon-matter and phonon-photon interactions. In particular, hypersonic (GHz-frequencies) phononics utilize the wealth of soft matter (polymer & colloid science) for the fabrication of mesoscopic structures which represent unique platforms for realization of strong acousto-optic coupling in the visible (phoXonics). The necessary integrated approach for the study of such structures is being realized in our group utilizing our state-of-art spontaneous Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) to directly acquire the phononic dispersion relation through the thermally activated acoustic phonons. This setup is complemented with a high-power modulated (GHz) laser source to allow for the realization of stimulated Brillouin spectroscopy. The design of structured materials is carried out in close collaboration with experimental and theoretical groups in Europe and the United States.

Research problem for the PostDoc

Subject: Realization of strong Phonon-Photon interactions in Phoxonic structures.

About the group

The project will be carried out in the research group of Prof. George Fytas in IESL/FORTH and at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany. You will find an international intellectual environment favoring interactions in different fields of soft matter.

Profile of the candidates

Successful candidates should have accomplished a PhD thesis in physical chemistry, materials science (or related) or physics with strong interest in materials and optics. Experience in the fields of light-matter interaction and light scattering would be desirable. Profound knowledge of elasticity theory and physics of polymers is helpful, but not mandatory. Good communication skills in written and spoken English are required.

If you are interested in the position, please send your application with the standard documents (CV, certificates, PhD Thesis, etc.) to the project leader Prof. George Fytas, Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.

Deadline: 31/8/2013