Münster Nanofabrication Facility (MNF)

• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 435857649

With the planned core facility “Münster Nanofabrication Facility (MNF)” a formalized platform will be established to provide nanostructuring and nanoanalytics capability down to molecular length scales below 10 nm. The MNF will be an enabling platform for frontier research in areas such as quantum- and nanophotonics, self-assembly, hybrid devices, nanospintronics, 2D materials and surface sciences. The MNF will also serve as a new platform for the development of precision instrumentation that pushes the resolution limits of existing high performance tools. The MNF will provide nanostructuring and nanoanalytics service to an interdisciplinary research community and strive to foster collaboration between different fields of research. The facility is managed by the facility manager (W. Pernice) and an experienced coordinator, supported by two MNF senior scientists and two technicians, all on permanent contracts. A cross-disciplinary advisory board will in addition provide guidance for the strategic development of the facility. Additional staff applied for in this proposal will be permanently employed after the end of the project.The MNF will be operated primarily in user-mode, meaning that the instrumentation will be run by the users themselves after thorough training by the scientific and technical staff. Service operation performed by MNF staff will be also available, in particular for high performance instrumentation. The users will gain access to the required instrumentation after formal user training and proven knowledge of the safety procedures and cleanroom rules. In order to maintain high standards of operation, continuous user training and updates will be offered by the facility.A strategic goal of the facility will be the fruitful interaction with the scientific community to showcase the achievements of the MNF. Outreach will be achieved through several measures, including an extensive online presence and yearly open-facility days. In addition, the MNF will provide open access design tools and online documentation of the fabrication procedures in order to promote transparent and reproducible nanofabrication. With innovative online instructions and interactive content, the MNF will also strive to make the capabilities known to a wider audience and to promote frontier research of the MNF to interested parties. During the funding period the MNF will establish a dedicated user base which will be the foundation for the sustainable long-term operation of the facility. This will be achieved by continuously optimizing nanostructuring and nanoanalytics capability towards highest resolution through instrument upgrades and process optimization.

• DFG Programme: Core Facilities
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Leader: Professor Dr. Wolfram Hans Peter Pernice