About the project
This project aims to understand phonon anharmonicity and polaronic effects in perovskite semiconductors and to identify, develop, and implement vibrational engineering strategies to improve charge transport and material stability.
The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills.
Perovskite semiconductors are an emerging class of materials that promise to revolutionize the solar cell market. Their low-dimensional architectures also offer promising potential for classical and quantum light emitters. The main challenge for their application is long-term stability.
Perovskite semiconductors are characterised by soft ionic lattices and large phonon anharmonicity that underpins many of their optoelectronic properties, from charge regulating charge transport to promoting ionic migration.
Understanding and managing lattice dynamics is critical for mitigating instabilities and preventing degradation. The vibrational properties of these semiconductors and the impact of chemical composition, morphology, and dimensionality still need to be understood.
In this project you will take part in this exciting and dynamic field of emerging semiconductors.
You will develop expertise in laser spectroscopy, including photoluminescence, transient absorption, and Raman scattering.
You will also gain skills in material fabrication and characterisation, and numerical modelling and data analysis.
This will open numerous opportunities for a future career in cutting-edge academic research and in the growing industry in semiconductors and quantum technologies.
This project will be supervised by Dr Silvia Motti and will integrate the Semiconductor Photophysics group and the wider Quantum, Light, and Matter group of the School of Physics and Astronomy. The group offers a welcoming and inclusive environment, a friendly and supportive local community, and flexible arrangements.
We strongly encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.