Metrology and Process Integration for Defect Mapping of Next Generation Semiconductor Materials and Devices at Swansea University

Funding providers: Swansea University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering and KLA

Subject areas: Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Physics

Project start date: 

• 1 July 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-June)
• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Project description: 

This PhD project will harness the power of Artificial Intelligence for application in semiconductor technologies.

The automotive semiconductor market, valued at $35 billion in 2020, is thriving due to the surge in Electric, Hybrid, and Autonomous Vehicles. To sustain this growth, achieving defect-free semiconductor devices with yields exceeding 90% is imperative. The industry anticipates a 98% efficacy boost through AI adoption, particularly in automated inspection and defect recognition. Over the next decade, AI is poised to revolutionize the semiconductor sector, enhancing quality control and yield. 

Critical to this transformation is KLA, the global premier metrology company specializing in chip and substrate manufacturing applications. KLA’s systems, encompassing design-manufacturability verification, new process characterization, and manufacturing process monitoring, ensure precise measurement of various parameters, enabling tight process control for improved performance and yield. The collaboration with KLA aims to integrate wafer production and metrology for advanced semiconductor materials like Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride. Device manufacturing, using these materials, comprises processes including wafer production, photolithography, insulator growth, deposition, etching and metal deposition). Each process step has variables, which can lead to defects.  

This PhD project requires a highly motivated student with a Physics, Computer Science or Electrical Engineering background (or similar discipline). 

Please visit our website for more information about the project.

Eligibility

Computer Science PhD – Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.

Electronic and Electrical Engineering PhD – Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.

If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

Please visit our website for more information on eligibility.

Additional Funding Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24 and £19,237 for 2024/25).