Driving university research towards commercial production: automatic, wafer-scale RF characterisation platform for large arrays of resonant detectors

This master thesis project is funded by our European Research Council (ERC) project LiVoX. The main task of the Proof-of-Concept project LiVoX is to drive a novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detector microchip towards commercial viability.

The NMR detector microchip is mass fabricated in large numbers at the wafer level (typically up to 1000 devices per wafer). Each chip is supposed to be a precise radiofrequency (RF) resonator, and an important quality criterion is the precision of the desired resonance frequency (f < 1 GHz), and the quality factor of the resonator. The objective of this Master thesis is to develop a platform for the automatic scanning and recording of the RF characteristics of each individual detector of a large array. Based on this acquired data, the detectors can be sorted and binned. In order to achieve this objective, several intermediary milestones need to be fulfilled:
• development of a shielded “sniffer” coil for the individual assessment of the RF characteristics for each individual NMR detector in the array;
• mounting the “sniffer” coil and/or the detector array on a motorised stage for automatic scanning of large planar arrays (2500 detectors arranged in a 10 cm x 10 cm area) with a step size (pitch) of 2 mm.

Weitere Informationen

Unternehmen

Helmholtz Gemeinschaft

Bereich/Abteilung

Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT)

Abschlussart

Masterarbeit / Diplomarbeit

Branche

Maschinenbau und Betriebstechnik

Anforderungen

We are seeking one motivated, talented and enthusiastic MSc student to develop the first prototype of the automatic RF characterisation platform for NMR detectors. The successful candidate must demonstrate previous practical technical achievement(s) and her/his must-have characteristics are:
• Knowledge of RF circuit design;
• A passion for practical details;
• A genuine interest in how are things are made, and curiousity for how things function;
• the ability to find simple, yet functional and efficient technical solutions for technical challenges.

Field of study: Mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering

Zusatzinformationen

Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT)

Bei entsprechender Eignung werden schwerbehinderte Bewerber/innen bevorzugt berücksichtigt.