Beyond CMOS: Repurposing CFET Fabrication Modules for Next-Generation NEMS Devices in Ultra-Low-Energy Compute
PhD - Leuven | Just now
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Our researchers work on breakthrough semiconductor technologies that shape the future of computing, communication, health, mobility, and sustainable innovation.
As demand for computing power continues to grow, today’s transistor technologies face increasing physical and energy-efficiency limits. Leakage currents, power density, and device variability make it more difficult to keep improving performance while reducing energy consumption. This creates a strong need for new device concepts that can complement advanced CMOS technologies and open new routes toward energy-efficient computing.
A key challenge is to make nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) reliable, scalable, and compatible with advanced semiconductor manufacturing. NEMS switches and relays are attractive because they can offer extremely low off-state leakage and abrupt switching behaviour, but turning this promise into a practical technology requires progress in materials, contact interfaces, device design, release processes, modelling, and integration.
In this PhD project, you will investigate how selected process modules from imec’s advanced Complementary Field-Effect Transistor (CFET) technology platform can be repurposed to fabricate next-generation NEMS devices for ultra-low-energy logic and memory applications. You will combine device physics, semiconductor process integration, MEMS/NEMS technology, modelling, and experimental characterization in a highly multidisciplinary research environment.
Your work will include:
Exploring and benchmarking NEMS device concepts and advanced transistor technologies for future low-power computing.
Developing analytical, compact, and finite-element models to understand electro-mechanical switching behaviour.
Selecting and evaluating structural and contact materials, with attention to contact resistance, reliability, wear, stiction, charging, and degradation mechanisms.
Adapting CFET-inspired process modules to fabricate nanoscale movable structures and prototype NEMS switches or relays.
Characterizing fabricated devices electrically and mechanically, and comparing measurement results with simulations.
Assessing how NEMS-based logic and memory building blocks could contribute to future ultra-low-power compute architectures.
The ultimate goal is to demonstrate a credible technology pathway for integrating nanoscale electro-mechanical switching devices in advanced semiconductor fabrication platforms, helping to explore new options for computing beyond conventional CMOS.
Desired Background
We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate who has:
A strong interest in semiconductor devices, MEMS/NEMS technology, and emerging computing hardware.
Required background: Engineering Technology, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
Motivation to work at the interface between modelling, simulation, fabrication, and experimental characterization.
Interest in developing skills in device simulation, cleanroom processing, semiconductor fabrication, electrical characterization, and data analysis.
Experience with MEMS, nanoelectronics, CMOS technology, materials characterization, Python, MATLAB, COMSOL, or similar tools; this is an asset but not a strict requirement.
Curiosity, analytical thinking, hands-on motivation, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines in an international research environment.
Required background:
Engineering Technology, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
Required background: Engineering Technology, Engineering Science
Type of work: 80% modeling/simulation, 20% experimental
Supervisor: Jan Genoe (KU Leuven)
Co-supervisor: Jan Genoe (KU Leuven)
Daily advisor: Bogdan Vysotskyi, Veronique Rochus
The reference code for this position is 2027-058. Mention this reference code in your application.