Study of Failure Modes and Mechanisms in RF Switches Based on Phase-Change Materials

Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DRT-26-0602  

Direction

DRT

Thesis topic details

Category

Engineering science

Thesis topics

Study of Failure Modes and Mechanisms in RF Switches Based on Phase-Change Materials

Contract

Thèse

Job description

Switches based on phase change materials (PCM) demonstrate excellent RF performance (FOM <10fs) and can be co-integrated into the BEOL of CMOS processes. However, their reliability is still very little studied today. Failure modes such as heater breakage, segregation, or the appearance of cavities in the material are shown during endurance tests, but the mechanisms of these failures are not discussed. The objective of this thesis will therefore be to study the failure modes and mechanisms for different operating conditions (endurance, hold, power). The analysis will be carried out through electrical and physical characterizations and accelerated aging methods will be implemented.

University / doctoral school


Thesis topic location

Site

Grenoble

Requester

Position start date

01/09/2026

Person to be contacted by the applicant

MOREAU Stéphane stephane-nico.moreau@cea.fr
CEA
DRT/DCOS//LCEF
CEA, Leti
MINATEC Campus, 17 avenue des Martyrs
38054 GRENOBLE Cedex 9
+ 33 (0)4-38-78-06-36

Tutor / Responsible thesis director





En savoir plus

https://fr.linkedin.com/in/st%C3%A9phane-moreau-12232b19
http://www.leti-cea.fr/
https://www.minatec.org/fr/recherche/plates-formes-dediees/plate-forme-nanocaracterisation/