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We introduce
We introduce Peter Kappenberger, working in the group of Prof. Hans Hug at the Institute of Physics in Basel.
1. What is the topic of your PhD thesis?
First: Investigations of media and write head performance for the hard disk industry using magnetic
force microscopy.
Second: Investigations of the exchange bias effect in coupled ferro-antiferromagnetic multi-layers
using magnetic force microscopy.
2. Do you already have first results?
Yes, actually, I am at the end of my thesis (writing up).
3. Is there a potential application of your research?
During the period of the thesis, I participated in designing and building a
magnetic force microscope for industrial applications.
4. Why are you interested in Nanoscale Science?
Nanoscale Science is the underlying science of my PhD thesis. The resolution needed to investigate state
of the art lab hard disk media, write elements and written bits in the media is on the order of 10nm.
The exchange bias effect although exploited on a macroscopic scale in diverse magnetism related devices
(eg hard disks) is still open to a large debate on the microscopic (nm-size) level.
5. What are your plans for the future?
Finish thesis, then do a post-doc in the same field.
6. What are your interests outside research?
I enjoy sports (volleyball), reading and travelling.
We introduce André Meister, working in the group of Dr. Harry Heinzelmann at the CSEM in Neuchâtel.
1.What is the topic of your PhD thesis?
The topic of my thesis is the development of a novel liquid nanodroplet dispenser, which is based on a modified
atomic force microscope probe. The AFM probe is modified to form an aperture at the tip apex, and by contacting
the probe to a sample, the liquid flows through the aperture onto the surface like in a fountain pen. The aim
is to study the smallest structures that can be "written" by such a system.
2. Do you already have first results?
First tests showed the feasibility of this method. Further results have revealed the possibility to deposit
droplets in the attoliter range at a sub-micrometric scale.
3. Is there a potential application of your research?
The first application is liquid supply, e.g. in a nanofluidic system. But the dispensed liquid can also serve
as transport medium for other species, such as biological molecules (protein, DNA) or nanoparticles. In such
cases, the dispenser can be used for the printing of high-density bioarrays, or for the creation of a
nanoparticle pattern onto a surface.
4. Why are you interested in Nanoscale Science?
The most exciting aspect in Nanoscale Science is that physics, chemistry and biology fuse together to build
up a novel and fascinating research area.
5. What are your plans for the future?
After the end of my PhD, I would like to participate in projects involved in the field of applied nanoscience.
6. What are your interests outside research?
Observing stars in the night sky, watching a good movie at the cinema or a nice sunrise over the Alps, walking
in the forest while hoping to see wildlife, and other small things that help one to enjoy life ...
We introduce Peter Mühlschlegel, working in the group of Prof. Dieter Pohl at the Institute of Physics in Basel.
1. What is the topic of your PhD thesis?
The topic of my PhD thesis is "Optical Antennas". Within this project nano-structured metals similar to
today’s radio frequency antennas are under investigation, which have the capability to confine optical
fields to a few tens of nano meters. Furthermore, I’m interested how these structures could be used to
couple light efficiently to a surface plasmon wave-guide.
2. Do you already have first results?
First antenna structures were implemented on a glass substrate by means of e-beam and focused ion beam
lithography. Near-field characterization of different sized gold dipole structures has started with a home
built scanning tunneling optical microscope.
3. Is there a potential application of your research?
The potential applications of optical antennas are in the field of high-resolution microscopy like the
scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), optimisation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering and highly
integrated photonic circuits.
4. Why are you interested in Nanoscale Science?
I’m interested in Nanoscale Science, because it’s a fascinating interdisciplinary field where quantum physics
causes surprising effects.
5. What are your plans for the future?
In the future I want to learn more about light interaction with metal structures, optical forces and bio-molecular
systems.
6. What are your interests outside research?
Outside research I enjoy hiking and skiing in the Alps.
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