PhD positions on Adaptive optics in transmission electron microscopy at University of Antwerp

The Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Applied Engineering are seeking to fill a full-time (100%) vacancies for

Doctoral scholarship holders in the areas Adaptive optics in transmission electron microscopy

The vacancy is situated within a national FWO fundamental research project entitled "Exploring adaptive optics in transmission electron microscopy".

Adaptive optics, the technology to adapt the shape of lenses and mirrors to optimise the imaging capabilities, has sparked an avalanche of scientific discoveries in diverse areas of science that rely on light optics. Nowadays, optical waves can be dynamically programmed in terms of their phase profile, providing experimental research on exotic beam types and unprecedented control over the performance of optical instruments. Accelerated electron beams, on the other hand, as used extensively in e.g. electron microscopy, carry many similarities with light including the wave nature and the existence of (electron optical) lenses as well as a very similar mathematical description. The one part missing so far, is a generic programmable phase plate for electron waves allowing for similar flexibility as in state of the art light optics. The goal of this project is to explore the potential that a prototype generic phase plate, recently developed in our group and unique in the world, would bring to electron microscopy. Such a phase plate can dramatically increase the information obtained at a given electron dose, limiting the detrimental effect of beam damage that hinders the use of electron microscopy in e.g. life sciences or soft matter research. Specifically, it would enable the study of the structure and chirality of single molecules for e.g. drug discovery, insights in nanoplasmonic antennas for solar harvesting, improved precision in e-beam lithography and many more.

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PhD positions on Adaptive optics in transmission electron microscopy at University of Antwerp