PhD Student - Development of a Time-Resolved X-Ray Diffraction Platform for Studying the Structural Dynamics of Halide Perovskites

Created in 2007, ALPhANOV is a technological centre member of the excellence cluster ‘Route des lasers et des hyper frequences’ and has today more than 95 employees. ALPhANOV targets the development of cutting-edge and innovative solutions, products, and techniques in the field of optics and laser technology for a variety of different markets, such as aeronautics, aerospace, medicine, luxury and military. Located in the Institute of Optics of Aquitaine, ALPhANOV is a key player in the field of optics and lasers in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region.
ALPhANOV is well reputed for its capacity to identify key-innovation technologies promoting, all along his history, the creation of new companies and spin-off (20 since the creation).

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Scientific Context

This doctoral research project is part of the ERC AdG GEMINI European project, led by the Laboratory of Reactivity and Solid Chemistry (LRCS) of CNRS and Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens, in collaboration with ALPhANOV, Optics and Laser Technology Center in Talence. The aim of the GEMINI project is to improve the understanding of the degradation pathways in metal halide perovskites. Those materials are promising for serval applications, notably photovoltaics, but are prone to various degradation mechanisms. A novel experimental platform dedicated to time-resolved X-ray diffraction experiments will be developed to explore the structural dynamics of sample materials. ALPhANOV is responsible for the development of a laser-driven pulsed X-ray source and is opening a doctoral thesis (3 years) to support this work.

Missions

The PhD candidate will primarily work on the development of the optical pump/X-ray probe experimental setup allowing diffraction measurements with picosecond resolution. He/she will be supported by the X-Ray Applications team at ALPhANOV and will rely on the expertise and resources already developed through the XPulse project. The student will oversee the validation of the conversion system that will generate picosecond X-ray pulses from a high-intensity laser, as well as the development of a radiation-protected experimental environment dedicated to X-ray diffraction. He/she will also prepare the photoexcitation of the perovskite samples to perform time-resolved measurements (pump-probe) and study degradation phenomena.

The first part of the thesis will take place at ALPhANOV in Talence and will be dedicated to the development of the laser-driven source and of the radiation cabinet. During the second period, the PhD student will be hosted at the LRCS in Amiens to commission the pump-probe setup and validate the expected performances. Finally, the third part will be devoted to conducting time-resolved diffraction experiments using the setup developed so far, still within the LRCS.

Holding a master’s degree in chemistry/crystallography or physics instrumentation, you are interested in studying the properties of matter with applications in renewable energy. You are resourceful, inquisitive, inventive, and autonomous, you have a strong interest in laboratory work and the development of experimental setups. Some prior knowledge in X-ray diffraction, ultrafast lasers, electronics, or programming is welcome.