Master Students in Physics?
The group for structural dynamics in the Weizmann institute of science is looking for a physics Ph.D. candidate to work on the interface between theory and experiment in the study of anharmonic materials.
Approximating the interactions between atoms inside a crystal to be strictly Hooke-like, its lattice dynamics can be mapped into normal modes, also known as phonons. While this theory established invaluable concepts with which to comprehend the chaotic motion of trillions of atoms, it fails to account for many observed material properties, most notably their temperature dependence.
Our group studies the plethora of non-linear structural dynamics phenomena that arise in finite temperatures. We use a home-built Raman spectroscopy system as our main probe and combine computational and analytical methods to tackle fundamental questions in solid-state physics regarding the atomic and electronic motion inside a crystal.
We are looking for a student to help bridge the gap between experiment and theory, applying the tools of group theory, many-body physics, and scattering theory to interpret a wide range of empirical results, assuming a leading role in our pursuit towards a comprehensive understanding of anharmonicity in functional materials.
Master Students in Engineering or Chemistry?
The Solid-state structural dynamics group is looking for Ph.D. candidates to join our team of interdisciplinary scientists working on problems in material science.
The future of both microelectronics and sustainable-energy technologies heavily depends on the development of new, intelligent materials. Such materials should perform at finite temperatures (typically, room temperature) where thermal fluctuations have a crucial effect on the functional properties of the material.
Understanding these fluctuations poses a tremendous challenge because of the non-linear (i.e. anharmonic) nature of the effects governing the atomic motion at finite temperatures. The complex relationship between this motion and the macroscopic material characteristics lies at the heart of our research and motivation.
Our main tool is a state-of-the-art home-built advanced optical spectroscopy setup. We combine spectroscopic insight with heat capacity and x-ray diffraction measurements to arrive at a comprehensive and detailed picture of the crystal dynamics.
We are looking for a curious student to lead our multidisciplinary pursuit for the fundamental understanding of thermal motion in solids. Students will learn to apply the variety of spectroscopic methods our optical lab has to offer, perform high-level data analysis, and develop novel spectroscopic techniques.
For additional information please contact: omer.yaffe@weizmann.ac.il
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