Internship - Droplet Generation Research

Introduction

ASML US, LP brings together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that are key to producing faster, cheaper, and more energy-efficient microchips. We design, develop, integrate, market, and service these advanced machines, which enable our customers—the world’s leading chipmakers—to reduce the size and increase the functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics. Our headquarters are in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and we have 18 office locations around the United States including main offices in Wilton, CT, Chandler, AZ, San Jose, CA and San Diego, CA.

We are presenting you with a unique and exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and innovative source research team, focused on conceiving and demonstrating the technologies required for next generations of high-power extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources. Based on a laser produced plasma (LPP), our light source relies on a wide range of unique and challenging technologies, ranging from laser light amplification and high-power optical systems that generate the laser pulses needed for EUV generation to electro-optical signal detection and algorithm-based actuation for process control. You are invited to bring your passion, knowledge and expertise in areas of applied physics, plasmas, metrology, optics, controls, lasers, and experimental design to push the boundaries of these technologies forward.

A key ingredient in the EUV generation process is a stable source of molten tin droplets. These droplets provide the fuel for the laser-produced plasma and serve as the heartbeat for synchronizing the EUV source. The challenge is to reliably produce nearly perfect droplets of molten tin at a rate of tens of thousands of times per second with speeds of dozens of meters per second and position stability within a fraction of a droplet diameter. If these dimensions were scaled up to the game of golf, this would be equivalent to continuously scoring hole-in-ones in a hole that’s 25 km away through swirling gas flows and a plasma that’s hotter than the surface of the sun. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in this diverse mix of physics, engineering, and materials science in order to define the droplet generator architecture for the next generation EUV source. The successful candidate will also have a passion for innovation, be driven by curiosity, and have deep technical understanding, all essential to excel in a Research environment operating at the fuzzy front end of product development. A strong experimental mindset is needed to measure complex phenomena and decipher the relevant physics, enabling our team to predictably control tin droplet behavior.

Your assignment

• Identification of key scientific learning objectives and corresponding experimental design which will further the technological progress of the EUV generation process
• Demonstration of system-wide performance targets to meet the future technology roadmap
• Develop and execute system and subsystem performance tests, analyze test results and extract actionable knowledge from sub-module to full-system levels
• Troubleshoot issues with tin delivery sub systems, ultra-high vacuum systems, and optical modules on our test benches in order to improve our understanding of the fundamentals of droplet generation
• Document learning and communicate knowledge to engineering and product development teams to guide product improvement and release of new product nodes
• Work independently and in teams to deliver on a stated objective, whether it be the pursuit of new knowledge, the demonstration of a new capability, or the characterization of existing performance
• Performs other duties as assigned or required. 

Your profile

• PhD [ongoing] or MS degree [ongoing] in Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent field.
• Coursework related to data analytics, acoustics, fluid flow, and high-strength materials is a plus.
• Deep understanding of scientific methods that guides in designing and executing research experiments with limited oversight is highly desired.
• Experience with designing a DOE, building experimental test setups, including setup layout, design, rapid prototyping, metrology selection, setup troubleshooting and respective upgrades is highly desired
• Experience with microfluidics, liquid jet breakup and droplet coalescence in particular; piezoelectricity; and/or acoustics is highly desired;
• Experience with high pressure applications such as water jet cutting, jet breakup, and nozzle design is a plus.
• Experience in the field of ceramics, design and fabrication of ceramic components is a plus.
• Experience with droplet formation, sprays, common-rail diesel, and/or injectors is a plus.
• Experience with ultrasonic cleaning, chemical cleaning / etching is a plus
• Experience with experimental data collection and analysis, as well as development of data analysis tools. Familiarity withMATLAB or Python and data acquisition systems such as NI LabVIEW is a plus.
• The successful candidate will not only have excelled in their technical field, but will have demonstrated inter-personal and communications strengths
• Ability to clearly and logically communicate ideas and knowledge to various audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead a research project involving multiple stakeholders and constraints
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a part of a team and lead investigation and research efforts

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, touch, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the campus. 
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• May require travel dependent on business needs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Can work under deadlines.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

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