How does diamond wear?

Work Activities

In this project, you will test this idea by performing precision sliding experiments between diamond-coated spheres and silicon nitride surfaces (see reference below). By changing the stroke length of the sliding motion while keeping the total sliding distance the same, you will control how frequently the contact is renewed. If contact renewal indeed accelerates wear, shorter strokes should cause the diamond surface to degrade faster.

You will carry out experiments using a high-precision tribometer and analyze the diamond surface before and after sliding with atomic force microscopy, allowing you to measure nanometer-scale wear. The experiments will be performed in a controlled vacuum environment that resembles technologically relevant conditions.

This project combines hands-on experiments, surface analysis, and nanoscale physics, and will contribute to understanding how diamond coatings perform in demanding technological applications.

For more background information check out our recent manuscript:

Leriche et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 17, 55511–55520 (2025)

Qualifications

The project needs to be part of your MSc program at an EU university. You enjoy performing experiments and analysis to stepwise build a deeper understanding of complex physical mechanisms. You are good at communicating and explaining the results of your work. Experimental (and modeling) experience in the field of tribology would be advantageous, but is not a necessity.

Work environment

ARCNL performs fundamental research, focusing on the physics and chemistry involved in current and future key technologies in nanolithography, primarily for the semiconductor industry. While the academic setting and research style are geared towards establishing scientific excellence, the topics in ARCNL’s research program are intimately connected with the interests of the industrial partner ASML. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 100 persons of which 65 are ambitious (young) researchers from all over the globe. www.arcnl.nl

Working conditions

An internship agreement will be made before the start of the project.

More information?

For further information about the position, please contact Bart Weber: b.weber@arcnl.nl.

Application

You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code

ARCNL is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

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