Photonics at Toronto: Herman Group
Research Positions
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Graduate Student Positions The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
offers MASc and PhD programs for highly motivated students with good academic background. Research funding
is currently available for qualified students interested in laser and photonics technology in the Herman Group.
Interested candidates with Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, and Physics backgrounds are encouraged
to apply:
ECE Department Link select graduate studies.
Post Doctoral Fellow Positions
The University of Toronto is seeking three postdoctoral fellows for a major new initiative in laser
nanofabrication, material diagnostics, and nano-optics fabrication. State-of-the-art laser
processing facilities and optical material fabrication and diagnostic infrastructure are on campus, funded
from various government and industrial sources. The research highlights laser processing at two forefronts -
deep-ultraviolet F2 lasers and ultrafast lasers - for applications in fabricating novel photonic components,
optical circuits, photonic bandgaps, and biomedical and wireless devices. The research is centered in the Photonics
Group of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and is directed by Professor Peter Herman.
The research involves extensive collaboration within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering,
the Department of Physics, the Department of Chemistry, and Photonics Research Ontario (www.pro.on.ca) and with other
academic research centers: i.e. Laser Labortorium, Goettingen, Germany; National Research Council, Canada; and
Optical Fibre Technology Centre, Australia. Research also includes interacting with world-leading photonics and
manufacturing companies in Canada (i.e. JDS Uniphase, Mitel, Raytheon Elcan Optical Technology, Alcan International)
and internationally (i.e. Photonics Integrated Research, Lambda Physik, MicroLas). Our principle goals are forefront
science and engineering research for public dissemination in high-quality journals and the generation of
intellectual property.
Successful candidates will lead one of the following three research areas.
The well organized post doctoral fellow is sought to drive the development of precise optical tools and nanofabrication processes
in one of the world's forefront facilities for F2-laser nanofabrication research. The record short-wavelength
light of 157 nm drives strong interactions in challenging materials at sub-micron feature sizes that are attractive
for widespread application in fabricating photonic components, optical circuits, lab-on-a-chip systems, and wireless
electronic circuits. Responsibilities include co-supervision of graduate students, coordination of research activities with
scientists from academia and industry, and co-management of the novel facility. The $1 million program also includes
establishing state-of-the-art optical communication diagnostics. The research goals are new micromachining
and photosensitivity processes for fabricating and/or tuning optical circuits, 3-D photonic devices, photonic bandgap structures,
and binary optics. These studies are to be integrated with related program in ultrafast laser processing.
An outstanding candidate is sought for a collaborative project to integrate photonic bandgap structures into
functional optical circuits. Three-dimensional diffractive optical
structures offer in theory, powerful capabilities in managing light in optical circuits. The goal is to practically
harness this capability within the structure of our existing photonics fabrication program
(the F2-laser nanofabrication facility) and through collaboration with a leading photonic-bandgap
group at the University of Toronto. The project is suited to a technically strong and creative individual
motivated to revolutionize the future manufacturing of photonic circuits.
A laser-spectroscopy specialist is required to drive an industrially sponsored research program in laser-induced breakdown
spectroscopy of recycled aluminum. The goal is to develop novel laser and diagnostic technology for collecting accurate
assays of aluminum metal and possibly influence the future direction of large-scale automobile recycling. One
project is the study of
a new laser interaction - invented at the University of Toronto - that entails high-repetition 'bursts' of ultrafast laser
pulses. This approach promises to cleanly removal surface oxides and precisely
probe the underlying bulk aluminum within a single burst. Research centres on fundamental laser interactions and defining
laser processing windows in cooperation with our industrial partner.
Required qualifications for all three positions include a Ph.D. in experimental Physics,
Engineering Science, or Electrical Engineering, and experience with several of the following areas: F2
excimer lasers, ultrafast lasers, optical and opto-mechanical design, photonic devices for optical communications,
optical waveguide fabrication and modelling, optical communication diagnostics, photonic bandgaps, laser-matter
interaction physics, spectroscopy, and material diagnostics (SEM, FTIR, AFM, SEM, EDX, ESR).
An independent and highly motivated person with good
technical and communication skills is required. Each position entails a supervisory role with graduate students
and other researchers. The successful candidate will also be responsible for coordination and administration of
research involving visiting scientists and industrial partners in the local booming Photonics industry.
The postdoctoral positions are available immediately and
remain open until filled. Send a CV, relevant publications, three references, and recent university transcripts to:
Electronic submissions are also acceptible.
A 4-month or 8-month term research position is open in the Photonics Group of the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering (Prof. P. Herman) to senior undergraduate students. The project is Laser-Emission
Spectroscopy of Aluminum and is funded by Alcan International of Kingston, Canada, and by the Ontario Research and
Development Challenge Fund. The research is aimed at the development of novel laser and diagnostic technology to probe
and accurately record assays of aluminum metal for a future large-scale pilot project in automobile recycling.
On the science side, the student will study fundamental laser interactions on oxidized aluminum metal using new
approaches in laser technology. Technically, the student will be trained in the operation of solid-state and ultrafast
lasers, nonlinear crystals, precision optical systems, micropositioning tools, vision systems, spectrometers,
data acquisition systems, data acquisition hardware and software (LabView), scanning electron microscopes, and
atomic-force microscopes. The student will be supporting a postdoctoral fellow in data collection, equipment and
software design, sample characterization, and documentation. Good communication in English and a team approach are
important for preparing documents, and interacting within our group, and with our Industrial partner, Alcan International.
A highly motivated individual with a strong academic background in physics or engineering and a future interest in
graduate studies is desired. Physics or engineering students in their third year of study are encouraged to apply.
Please send a CV and university transcripts to:
Prof. Peter Herman
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