This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Physics Research Associate
The work will entail:
The goal of this project is to use multidimensional coherent spectroscopy to probe ultrafast dynamics in semiconductor materials embedded within resonant photonic structures (microcavities). Optoelectronic devices for photodetection and quantum emitters often use microcavities to enhance light-matter interaction, which can improve efficiency and enable new functionality. The effect of these resonant structures on quasiparticle dynamics is currently poorly understood, and multidimensional spectroscopy is a powerful technique for probing exciton many-body effects.
The associate will help perform experiments using an established collinear multidimensional coherent imaging spectroscopy system at NIST, analyze data and develop insights, and perform simulations of spectra using a diagrammatic perturbation theory that includes relevant quasiparticles such as exciton-polaritons, biexcitons, trions, and dark states. The associate will also use other techniques such as hyperspectral microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to characterize samples.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Performing experiments using a commercial collinear multidimensional imaging spectroscopy system.
- Analyzing data from the experiment, including extracting peak positions and trends from large sets of data using multiple experimental techniques.
- Simulating 2D spectra using diagram-based perturbation theory including population relaxation, excitation-induced shift, and excitation-induced dephasing, and finding best fits of models to the experimental data.
- Presenting results at internal meetings and at conferences.
Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Physics
- 5 years of relevant experience.
- Familiarity with Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy, both electronic and Raman
- Experience simulating 2D spectra using double-sided Feynman diagrams and include many-body effects through phenomenological terms such as excitation-induced dephasing and excitation-induced shift.
- Familiarity with multiple scripting languages, including MATLAB.
- Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.