Scies4Free

The progress in basic research strongly relies on the development of new technologies, which give access to unknown effects or objects and therefore enable discoveries. To optimally meet the needs of high-precession experiments, a detailed insight in the working principles of the experimental hardware is as well required as a profound understanding of the scientific theory. The Scies4Free joint doctoral program focuses on tailored technology development for novel experiments and applications, specifically related to dark matter and quantum technology. Both of these scientific fields apply an increasingly complex instrumentation and detector systems to study faint, hardly detectable signals of rare events. These challenges require innovative solutions so that the development of the instrumentation has to become an integral part of research. In this context, in-depth knowledge of fundamental concepts (TU- Wien) will be combined with expertise in applied science and engineering (FHWN). In particular, miniaturized silicon chips will be developed to trap and control a tiny volume of Cesium atoms or to combine a room temperature single photon sources with single photon detection capabilities. These integrated devices exploit the specific quantum properties, to conduct advanced measurements of magnetic fields or of biological samples. The mystery of dark matter particles and the possible interaction with ordinary matter will be investigated with superconductive transition edge sensors and specialized silicon detectors (RNDR- DEPFETs). Both are sensitive enough to detect single quanta of light. In addition, the generation and decay of dark matter particles will be studied with collision data from the particle accelerator at CERN with real time processing software. All topics are integrated into existing projects, which enables a close contact with research groups and international partners. The specific combination of complement topics requires a close cooperation between the Scies4Free students to master common problems, such as the design of sensors and electronics or the statistical analysis. For this reason, each student is assigned to a specific expertise to support the others within regular workshops, which are as well open for other students with related topics. The Scies4Free doctoral school will be hosted in a recently founded competence center for custom semiconductor technology at FHWN to consolidate the cooperation and educational platform and to foster a knowledge transfer to specific applications and industry.