Full-time study

4 years

prof. RNDr. Tomáš Šikola, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. RNDr. Tomáš Šikola, CSc.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Ivan Křupka, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Vlastimil Křápek, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Radim Chmelík, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Petr Dub, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Pavel Šandera, CSc.
Councillor external :
prof. Mgr. Dominik Munzar, Dr.
prof. RNDr. Pavel Zemánek, Ph.D.
RNDr. Antonín Fejfar, CSc.

The aim of the doctoral study in the proposed programme is to prepare highly educated experts in the field of physical engineering and nanotechnology with sufficient foreign experience, who will be able to perform independent creative, scientific and research activities in academia or applications in our country and abroad. The study is based on the doctoral students' own creative and research work at the level standardly required at foreign workplaces in the areas of research carried out at the training workplace and supported by national and international projects. These are the following areas of applied physics: physics of surfaces and nanostructures, light and particle optics and microscopy, construction of physical instruments and equipment, micromechanics of materials.

The graduate has knowledge, skills and competencies for their own creative activities in some of the areas in which the research activities of the training workplace are carried out. These are applications of physics especially in the field of physics of surfaces and nanostructures, two-dimensional materials, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, micromagnetism and spintronics, biophotonics, advanced light microscopy and spectroscopy, electron microscopy, laser nanometrology and spectroscopy, computer controlled X-ray micro and nanotomography, micro and development of technological and analytical equipment and methods for micro/nanotechnologies. The possibility of using the personnel and material background provided by the CEITEC research infrastructure as well as extensive cooperation with important foreign workplaces contributes to the high level of education. This guarantees that the graduate is able to present the results of their work orally and in writing and discuss them in English. Due to high professional competencies and flexibility, graduates find employment both in universities and other research institutions in our country and abroad, and in high-tech companies in the positions of researchers, developers, designers or team leaders.

Due to their high professional competencies and flexibility, graduates find employment in the field of basic and applied research at universities and other research institutions in our country and abroad, as well as in high-tech companies in the positions of researchers, developers, designers and team leaders.

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

The presented doctoral study programme represents the highest level of education in the field of physical engineering and nanotechnology. Follows the academic and bachelor's and subsequent master's degree programme of "Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology", which are carried out at FME BUT.

1. Analytical electron microscopy of materials and structures for nanophotonics

   The progress of nanophotonics is related to the introduction of novel materials and structures. Analytical electron microscopy provides an excellent tool for studying the materials and structures, allowing to determine their elemental and chemical composition, structural properties including the crystallinity, crystal lattice and its atomic and mesoscopic defects, and electron structure. Within the thesis, analytical electron microscopy will be applied to some of the recent nanophotonic materials and structures, including phase-changing materials (vanadium dioxide, gallium, Sb2S3), active plasmonic antennas, hybrid metal-dielectric structures, or plasmonic antennas featuring plasmonic lightning-rod effect. The work can also focus on the development of new methods of analytical electron microscopy.

   Tutor: Křápek Vlastimil, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

2. BICs in periodic nanophotonic systems

   Bound states in the continuum (BICs) represent a theoretically interesting way of field localization, which contradicts the conventional wisdom of bound states with energies solely outside the continuum of free states. BICs offer several interesting applications; for example, in photonics, BICs enable development of sensitive nanostructures with significant reduction of radiation leakage [1,2]. The study will focus on theoretical analysis and physical understanding of BICs in periodic nanophotonic systems, such as photonic crystals or metasurfaces, which can be used, e.g., for advanced biosensing [3]. The student will explore the existence and properties of the BICs in a selected class of the systems. Critical assessment of the benefits of the BICs in comparison with more traditional techniques from the point of view of potential sensing applications will be carried out. The study will rely heavily on numerical analysis. [1] K. Koshelev, A. Bogdanov, and Y. Kivshar, “Engineering with Bound States in the Continuum,” Opt. Photonics News, vol. 31, no. 1, p. 38, 2020 [2] S. I. Azzam and A. V. Kildishev, “Photonic Bound States in the Continuum: From Basics to Applications,” Adv. Opt. Mater., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 16–24, 2021 [3] M. L. Tseng, Y. Jahani, A. Leitis, and H. Altug, “Dielectric Metasurfaces Enabling Advanced Optical Biosensors,” ACS Photonics, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 47–60, 2021.

   Tutor: Petráček Jiří, prof. RNDr., Dr.

3. BICs in photonic waveguides

   Bound states in the continuum (BICs) represent a theoretically interesting way of field localization, which contradicts the conventional wisdom of bound states with energies solely outside the continuum of free states. BICs offer several interesting applications; for example, in photonics, BICs enable development of sensitive nanostructures with significant reduction of radiation leakage [1,2]. Even though the first observation of photonic BIC was achieved in a system of coupled waveguides [3], the individual waveguides supported conventional modes outside the radiation continuum. Researchers have observed BICs in a single waveguide with a low-index core; however, effectively such a waveguide acts as a conventional quantum well (i.e., localization in the region with high effective refractive index). Therefore, the study will address this problem and focus on theoretical investigation of various possible alternative mechanisms that could enable BICs in waveguides. As a starting point anisotropy induced BICs in dielectric waveguides will be studied. Subsequently, more general class of waveguide structures will be considered; namely, we will assume nanophotonic waveguide structures and perform systematic parametric studies to explore the existence of new BICs. Finally, critical assessment of the benefits of the BICs in comparison with classical guided waves from the point of view of their potential integrated photonic applications will be carried out. [1] K. Koshelev, A. Bogdanov, and Y. Kivshar, “Engineering with Bound States in the Continuum,” Opt. Photonics News, vol. 31, no. 1, p. 38, 2020 [2] S. I. Azzam and A. V. Kildishev, “Photonic Bound States in the Continuum: From Basics to Applications,” Adv. Opt. Mater., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 16–24, 2021 [3] Y. Plotnik et al., “Experimental observation of optical bound states in the continuum,” Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 107, no. 18, pp. 28–31, 2011 [4] Y. Yu, et al., “Ultralow-Loss Etchless Lithium Niobate Integrated Photonics at Near-Visible Wavelengths,” Adv. Opt. Mater., vol. 9, no. 19, pp. 1–8, 2021.

   Tutor: Petráček Jiří, prof. RNDr., Dr.

4. Biosensors based on graphene and related 2D materials

   Classical biochemical tests in vitro are currently replaced by bioelectronic sensors that excel in their speed, reusability and minimal dimensions. One of the most promising materials in this area is graphene, which has a high sensitivity to the presence of adsorbed molecules and is biocompatible at the same time. The subject of the doctoral thesis will be development and production of biosensors based on graphene and related two-dimensional materials. In the thesis, it will be necessary to master the general physical principles of sensors, problems of field-controlled transistors with electrolytic gate and functionalization to achieve selective sensor response. A suitable applicant is a graduate of a Master's degree in Physical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Biochemistry. Aims: 1) Managing physical principles of biosensors, their theoretical and experimental aspects. 2) Design and manufacture of a sensor based on a field-controlled transistor with an electrolytic gate. 3) Functionalization of sensor for specific biological and chemical reaction 4) Sensor response testing on selected biological materials.

   Tutor: Bartošík Miroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Correlative analysis of wide band gap materials

   Wide band gap materials are in the center of current technological advancement in power electronics, mostly due to recently developed fabrication techniques of bulk crystals. Most importantly, SiC and GaN have started to question silicon use in certain applications. However, compared to silicon, current know-how of relevant properties of these materials is not mature enough. Student will focus on analysis of defects in SiC and GaN by correlative micro- and spectroscopies. A part of the work is a realization of proof-of-concept device in electronics/optoelectronics. A necessary prerequisite is solid knowledge of solid state physics and principles of relevant spectroscopic techniques. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific or Onsemi. Students are strongly advised to contact the supervisor before the official admission interview.

   Tutor: Kolíbal Miroslav, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Design and Fabrication of Tunable Metasurfaces for Unconventional Optical Elements

   The dissertation will focus on the design and fabrication of tunable metasurfaces for unconventional optical elements in the visible and infrared wavelength regions. Specific metasurface design methods using optimization algorithms with multiparametric metrics, such as the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm, will be explored. Fabrication approaches will be investigated, together with possibilities of optical switching of the metasurface prototypes and active control of their function. The main goal of this work is to produce fully characterized prototypes of tunable metasurfaces with verified functionalities, which could be used for shaping high-performance optical beams or in the transmission and processing of optical signals in communication technologies.

   Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

7. Development of an ultrafast scanning electron microscope with the capability of electron beam shaping

   The main goal of the work will be the experimental development of an ultrafast scanning electron microscope enabling the analysis of samples using spatially and temporally modulated electron pulses. The electron pulses will be generated using photoemission driven by ultrashort laser pulses and their further spatial shaping will be achieved through interaction with shaped laser beams in the condenser system of the microscope. The first task of the student will be to modify the cathode module of the microscope for the introduction of a laser, and to test the thus modified source. The next task will be to introduce laser pulses for the excitation of the sample in the chamber and synchronize the electron and laser pulses to achieve high temporal resolution. The student will also develop a special module for the interaction of electrons and shaped laser pulses, which will be integrated in the condenser system of the microscope. The modified microscope will be used for experiments with samples exhibiting dynamic processes (e.g., phase transitions), and selected applications of shaped electron beams will also be investigated.

   Tutor: Konečná Andrea, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Development of opto-mechanical system for in-situ analysis using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

   Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a method of analytical chemistry excells in direct use for in-situ analysis of samples. This benefit is vitally used in many applications, in this case, the aim is set to plastic industry. Robustness and universality of LIBS instrumentation is ballanced by non-existing or limited accessibility to commercially available solutions. Thus, development of LIBS instrumentation and optimization of analytical methodology is closely interconnected and will be the topic of this dissertation thesis. The goal is the design of optomechanical parts of a LIBS system and its construction with respect to the trade-off between sensitivity and repetition rate. Furthermore, the development of related methodology for accurate classification of polymers and quantitative analysis of trace toxic metals.

   Tutor: Pořízka Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

9. GaN/Graphene-based detectors of UV radiation

   The PhD project will concentrate on a study of complex issues related to development of UV detectors using GaN (Ga)/graphene nanostructures. The initial part of the study will focuses on the preparation of Ga and GaN nanostructures on poly-and single-crystal graphene using a low-temperature deposition method. The low temperature growth of GaN nanocrystals will be carried out by a combination of UHV PVD technologies such as Ga vapour deposition and low energy nitrogen ion-beam (50 eV) post-nitridation using a unique ion-atomic beam source [1] . The growth of GaN will be realized at much lower temperatures (T<250°C) than in conventional technologies (e.g. MOCVD, 1000°C). Subsequently, the relation between parameters/functional properties of Ga and GaN nanostructures and deposition conditions will be studied. The complex characterization of the Ga (GaN)/graphene nanostructures will be provided by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM, EFM, SKFM), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence micro-spectroscopy, etc. Finally, the electrical response of the nanostructures to UV radiation will be studied via a FET-setup utilizing these optimized nanostructures as photosensitive elements. References: [1] J. Mach, P. Procházka, M. Bartošík, D. Nezval, J. Piastek, J. Hulva, V. Švarc, M. Konečný, and T. Šikola, Nanotechnology, Vol. 28, N. 41 (2017).

   Tutor: Mach Jindřich, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Growth or organic semiconductors on weakly interacting substrates

    Graphene-based variable barrier interface transistors present a promising concept for organic semiconductor devices with several advantages, i.e., high driving current, high-speed operation, flexibility, and scalability while being less demanding for lithography. However, this research requires a multilevel experimental approach, as the substrate determines the growth of the first layers, which, in turn, influences the growth of thin films. The goal of the Ph.D. is to describe and optimize the growth of organic semiconductors on graphene from the mono- to multilayers. The Ph. D. study's experimental research within the Ph.D. study aims to understand the kinetics deposition/self-assembly phenomena of organic molecular semiconductors as a function of temperature, flux, and graphene doping. We will employ a range of complementary techniques including low energy electron microscopy, X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, all integrated in a single complex ultrahigh vacuum system. The Studies are supported by a running project.

    Tutor: Čechal Jan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

11. High-resolution BLS microscopy of spin waves

    Magnetic spin waves (magnons) have become a subject of an intensive research due to their high application potential in future electronics and communication technologies. There are several methods how to detect them, one should especially refer to the Brillouin light scattering (BLS), [1]. This technique brings information about the amplitude and phase of magnons and can be operated in a microscopic mode provided by a BLS micro-spectrophotometer [2] available at CEITEC Nano Research Infrastructure [3]. However, as the spectrophotometer utilizes conventional optical element, the spatial resolution does not exceed the diffraction limit. To beat this limit, PhD study will deal with the utilization of nanophotonic effects similar to those used in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), i.e. formation of enhanced near optical fields (so called hot spots) in the vicinity of specially designed AFM tips equipped with resonant nanoparticles (antennas). Simultaneously, the near-field hot spots of these resonant nanostructures will provide large momentum components and thus an extension of the detected Brillouin-zone range [4], [5]. The study will concentrate on the modification of AFM modules for tip-enhanced BLS microscopy and testing of optimized AFM tips in this technique. References: [1] T. Sebastian et al., Front. Phys. 3, 35, 2015. [2] K. Vogt et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 182508, 2009. [3] L. Flajšman etal., Urbánek, Phys. Rev. B 101, 014436, 2020. [4] R. Freeman et al., Phys. Rev. Research 2, 033427 (2020). [5] O. Wojewoda et al, Communications Physics, (2023), https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-023-01214-z .

    Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

12. Characterisation of solid-state surfaces and thin layers with nanometre depth resolution by LEIS

    Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS) has proven its capability to study the elemental composition of solid-state surfaces. It is a low-energy modification of Ernest Rutherford's famous experiment with the scattering of alpha particles on gold foil. The extreme surface sensitivity of the technique is widely used in the analysis of the composition of a topmost atomic layer with nanometre depth resolution. The sensitivity of the methods originates mainly from charge exchange mechanisms between the projectile and involved surface atoms. Only a small fraction of the scattered projectiles leaves the surface in an ionized state. This ion fraction is represented by characteristic velocity that is the measure of the charge exchange processes and is characteristic of the given combination of the projectile and surface atom. The characteristic velocity is frequently influenced by the chemical arrangement of the sample surface as well. This project aims to characterise the charge exchange processes between the He+ and Ne+ ions (projectiles) on a variety of solid-state surfaces and thin layers. The primary kinetic energies of the projectiles will be varied within the range between 0.5 keV to 7.0 keV. The outputs of the project will significantly improve the potential of the LEIS technique in the field of quantitative analysis. The experiments will be performed on a dedicated high-sensitivity LEIS instruments – Qtac100 (ION TOF GmbH) at Ceitec BUT and at partner institutions at TU Wien and Twente University. A very effective tool for studying charge exchange is the LEIS spectrometer with an energy analyzer based on Time of Flight (ToF) measurement, which allows comparing the intensities of the ionized and neutralized parts of the detected signal in one experiment. Therefore, as part of the study, an internship in the scientific group of Professor Daniel Primetzhofer at Uppsala University in Sweden is proposed.

    Tutor: Průša Stanislav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

13. Implementation of complementary spectroscopic techniques providing complete chemical analysis

    State-of-the-art chemical analysis is constantly improving when it comes to individual analytical techniques. Contemporary trend is shifting to the joint utilization of complementary analytical techniques, namely within one analytical instrument. Moreover, it is expected that such synergy will exploit benefits of both techniques, such as Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy. Both laser spectroscopy techniques provide elemental and molecular information, respectively. They enable to run a mapping of the sample surface with high spatial resolution (number of analytical spots per unit area). Combined utilization of mentioned spectroscopic techniques is beneficial due to the possibility to partly share analytical instrumentation and, in turn, to lower the cost of the instrument. Regardless, this synergy of spectroscopic techniques is still unique; thus, potentially new paradigm dwells in their successful implementation.

    Tutor: Pořízka Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

14. In-situ microscopy and spectroscopy of layered materials growth

    The observation of layered materials growth at nanoscale is a challenging task. In our group, we have a large expertise in real time electron microscopy and we operate beyond-state-of-the-art instrumentation (LEEM, UHV SEM and SEM for observations in extreme conditions). The aim of this PhD dissertation is to revealing the growth modes of 2D materials (transitiv metal dichalcogenides, group-IV-based 2D materials etc.) and thein properties by advanced microscopy and spectroscopy in UHV as well as under high pressure and at high temperature. Student is expected to be involved in instrumentation development and experimental verification on selected material systems.

    Tutor: Kolíbal Miroslav, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

15. Investigation of spatial and temporal development of laser-induced plasmas

    Laser ablation of matter is an essential process involved in the chemical analysis using various techniques of analytical chemistry. The spectroscopic investigation of characteristic plasma emission provides qualitative and quantitative information about the sample of interest. Standard analysis is based on the processing of emission signal; the process of laser ablation and consecutive development of laser-induced plasma is marginal and of little analytical interest. But, understanding the complexity of laser-matter interaction is a crucial step in the improvement of the latter data processing approaches. Thus, this work will target the investigation of spatial and temporal development of laser-induced plasmas, imaging of plasma plumes and determination of their thermodynamic properties. Outcomes of this work will be used in further advancement of the ablation of various materials (incl. biological tissues), improvement of optomechanical instrumentation (collection optics) and optimization of signal standardization.

    Tutor: Pořízka Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

16. Machine-learned interatomic potentials for advanced materials

    Machine learning is one of the most exciting tools that have entered the material science toolbox in recent years. It has become very popular and grown very quickly. One of its recent and promising applications is a generation of reliable and efficient interatomic potentials. This PhD topic will cover generation and DFT (density functional theory) benchmarking of machine-learned potentials and their subsequent application to selected groups of advanced materials.

    Tutor: Černý Miroslav, prof. Mgr., Ph.D.

17. Mapping plasmonic modes

    Localized surface plasmons (LSP) generated in metal nanoparticles (plasmonic antennas) can exhibit various modes differing in energy, charge distribution (dipoles vs. multipoles) and radiation capability (bright and dark modes). One of the most effective methods enabling generation and characterization - mapping of these modes at the single antenna level is Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) provided by High-resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR STEM). The PhD study will be aimed at application of HR STEM-EELS for mapping the modes of LSP in plasmonic antennas. The emphasis will be especially put at a study of hybridized modes of coupled antenna structures and/or strong coupling effects between modes in plasmonic antennas and excitations in their surrounding environments. These excitations will be polaritons in quantum nanodots localized nearby antennas (the visible range) and/or phonons in absorbing antenna substrate membranes (IR – mid IR). In the former case, the experiment will be carried out by HR STEM-EELS at CEITEC Nano infrastructure (Titan), in the latter case, by Nion Ultra STEM available at some laboratories abroad (e.g. Oak Ridge national laboratory).

    Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

18. Microscopy using geometric-phase optical elements

    The technology of liquid crystals and plasmonic metasurfaces enables the spatial modulation of light based on the transformation of its geometric phase. Geometric-phase elements are polarization-sensitive and offer new possibilities for imaging samples with optical anisotropy. The dissertation aims to utilize these properties to develop original microscopy techniques with new image contrasts or to obtain quantitative information about the studied samples.

    Tutor: Bouchal Petr, Ing., Ph.D.

19. Modeling of functional properties of nanostructures for plasmonics

    The topic includes the theoretical description of the optical response of metallic nanostructures and metasurfaces for applications in plasmonics and nanophotonics. Used calculation tools will be represented by both analytical methods (e.g. optical properties of layered systems illuminated by a monochromatic plane wave, decomposition of the optical response of nanoparticles into the normal or quasinormal modes, mathematics used in diffraction optics) and numerical methods by using available software packages (e.g. based on a finite-difference time-domain method, a finite-element frequency-domain method, rigorous coupled-wave analysis) or, possibly, by using home-made computational algorithms. The results will be used for the qualitative- and quantitative interpretation of experimental data.

    Tutor: Kalousek Radek, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

20. Plasmonics of non-noble metals

    Traditional plasmonic materials are gold and silver. However, especially in the UV region, but not only there, it is necessary to look for their possible alternatives, for example, among non-noble metals. The applicant will explore the possibilities of non-noble metals (such as aluminum, gallium, bismuth, lead, indium, tin,…) or their compounds (such as gallium-gallium oxide core-shell structures, vanadium dioxide,…) in plasmonics and prepare nanostructures from selected materials and characterize their functional properties in the field of plasmonics using analytical transmission electron microscopy.

    Tutor: Křápek Vlastimil, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

21. Quantification of solid surface coverage by -OH groups using a combination of ALD and HS-LEIS

    Low energy ion scattering (LEIS) is an extremely surface-sensitive technique that can quantitatively analyse the outermost atomic layer of a material. The only element that cannot be evaluated directly by this technique is hydrogen since it is lighter than the projectiles of noble gas ions used in LEIS. The surfaces of the solid-state materials are often terminated by hydroxyl groups (-OH). This is particularly true of glass materials. The flat panel displays (FPDs) found in cell phones, displays, electronics, and computers are a crucial part of modern technology. A higher resolution of the FPDs can be achieved by taking full control of the glass surfaces used in this technology. Surface hydroxyls influence the FPDs technology and performance of FPDs. It is difficult to characterise the hydroxyl groups with selective sensitivity to the top atomic layer by standard methods. The novel tag-and-count approach for quantifying hydroxyl (consequently surface silanol) densities is developing in our collaboration with Brigham Young University (USA) and Corning Corporation (USA). The first successful results were published in Applied Surface Science (please see for more information). The hydroxyls are selectively marked by Zn atoms during Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The marked (tagged) groups are then analysed (quantified) by HS-LEIS harvesting the extreme surface sensitivity of the technique. The proposed topic for PhD study will continue this promising research and collaboration with BYU. The applicant (student) will be involved in both, the tagging technology done in USA and LEIS analysis in Ceitec BUT.

    Tutor: Průša Stanislav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

22. Quantum estimation and adaptive algorithms in electron microscopy and spectroscopy

    The rapid improvements in the instrumentation of electron microscopy and spectroscopy enable us to perform measurements with unprecedented accuracy approaching the quantum limits. To fully utilise the new possibilities, the development of effective procedures to obtain and analyse data is required. In this project, a PhD candidate will theoretically study the measurement and estimation process in several microscopical and spectroscopical techniques and propose how to optimise them. To this end, it is essential to employ adaptive algorithms that consider the outcomes of previous measurements.

    Tutor: Konečná Andrea, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

23. Structures for high local current densities in liquids

    The rapid development of micro- and nanofabrication techniques has led to the fact that nowadays it is possible to prepare increasingly complex micro- and nanostructures. For structures with simple geometries, this development has enabled their production in large quantities, with relatively high precision, and with good repeatability. Therefore, the question arises whether such relatively simple structures could not contribute to the efficiency of some physical or chemical phenomena or processes or be used in some new application(s). This work will be focused on design, fabrication and application(s) of microstructures or nanostructures to locally increase the electric current density in liquids.

    Tutor: Spousta Jiří, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

24. 2D materials for supercapacitors

    Supercapacitors (SCs) represent one of the most promising energy storage technologies because of their remarkable features, such as ultrahigh power density and ultralong cycling life. This PhD study aims at an exploration of 2D hybrids based on MXenes and black phosphorous (BP), as high-performance electrode materials for SCs. It will concentrate on (i) multi-scale characterization of 2D hybrids up to atomic resolution to provide fundamental knowledge underlying the interaction between the components of 2D hybrids, and on (ii) an in situ study of chemical stability and growth mechanisms of these materials. In the study, state-of-the-art characterisation methods available at CEITEC Nano core facility such as Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM), UHV STM/AFM, X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS), Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS), Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM), FT-IR Spectroscopy, and HR (S)TEM will be used. The collaboration with the Dresden University of Technology planned to synthesize the 2D materials will be held.

    Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.