Development of Nanopositioning Stage and Electronics for High-Resolution Microscopy Applications
Project Description
The research group or Prof. Jäck takes a leading role in the development of new microscopy techniques and methods to study functional quantum materials. In this context, his group has successfully developed and tested several new nanopositioning stages that can be used to position specimens over millimetre to centimetre distances with nanometer accuracy (US and China patent pending). Prof. Jäck has also started a company, Quano Technologies (Quano-tech.com), with the goal to commercialize these nano positioning devices.
A key property of nanopositioning stages is their mechanical stability as typically quantified by the lowest mechanical resonance modes. Resonance modes in excess of 2-3 kHz are desirable in order to decouple the nanopositioning stage from environmental vibrations. While these resonance modes can be in first order determined finite element simulations of 3D models, it is import to validate this result using measurements. Hence, our goal is to use laser interferometry to measure the resonance modes of our home-built nanopositioning stages and use these measurement results to optimize our positioning stage design.
A key property of nanopositioning stages is their mechanical stability as typically quantified by the lowest mechanical resonance modes. Resonance modes in excess of 2-3 kHz are desirable in order to decouple the nanopositioning stage from environmental vibrations. While these resonance modes can be in first order determined finite element simulations of 3D models, it is import to validate this result using measurements. Hence, our goal is to use laser interferometry to measure the resonance modes of our home-built nanopositioning stages and use these measurement results to optimize our positioning stage design.
Supervisor
JAECK, Berthold
Quota
1
Course type
UROP1000
UROP1100
UROP2100
UROP3100
UROP3200
UROP4100
Applicant's Roles
Your role will be to build and use a Mach-Zehnder (MZ) laser interferometer for testing the mechanical resonance modes of nanopositioning stages. This role will involve the assembly of optical components on an optical bread board, the basic testing and commissioning of the MZ interferometer, and the use of this interferometer for running measurements, and the analysis of the experimental data.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
The proposed UROP project will train the successful applicant(s) in cutting edge nanopositioning technology and the functionality of scanning probe microscopy techniques in general. The assembly, commissioning, and use of MZ laser interferometry will further train the students in using highly sensitive metrology methods and in analyzing experimental data. Throughout the project, the student(s) will be trained and supervised by Prof. Jäck and work in collaboration with application engineers of Quano Technologies.
This is an experimental/technical project. While not mandatory, previous experience in laboratory hands on work is preferred.
Further Benefits:
(a) Contributions by the successful applicant(s) will be rewarded through co-authorships on US patent applications, if patentable IP is generated through this project.
This is an experimental/technical project. While not mandatory, previous experience in laboratory hands on work is preferred.
Further Benefits:
(a) Contributions by the successful applicant(s) will be rewarded through co-authorships on US patent applications, if patentable IP is generated through this project.
Complexity of the project
Moderate