Join ourresearch team in developing a new class of programmable-masksuper-resolution lithography systems. You will develop software and opticalcontrol strategies for the generation and synchronization of computer-generatedholograms (CGH), enabling the fabrication of nanometer-scale 2D, 2.5D,and 3D structures beyond the diffraction limit and paving the way fornext-generation lithography and optical manufacturing. This technology haspotential applications in semiconductor manufacturing, integrated photonics,and bioprinting.
Projectoverview
You will workwith an advanced programmable-mask optical platform for computer-generatedholography (CGH) based on phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs) andmultiple laser sources.
Machinelearning-based optimization is used to compute high-fidelity computer-generatedholograms. The main engineering challenge is to calibrate and synchronizemultiple SLMs while combining holograms generated by different laserwavelengths, maintaining precise spatial registration and deterministic timingthroughout the imaging process.
Your role
You willcontribute to the development of the free-space optical system, with aparticular focus on the phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs), includingtheir alignment, calibration, and hologram evaluation. You will developstrategies for synchronizing multiple SLMs and design, implement, and validatethe software that controls hologram generation. Working closely withresearchers in optics and computational imaging, you will:
Your profile
You are pursuinga degree in Applied Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering,Photonics, or a related field.
Above all, youare curious, enjoy solving practical engineering problems, and are motivated towork at the interface of software and experimental optics.
Expectedoutcomes
By the end ofthe internship, you will have developed a documented software framework forsynchronized multi-SLM operation, together with validated calibration andtiming procedures. Your final report will evaluate the system's imagingperformance and recommend improvements to synchronization, reconstructionfidelity, and acquisition speed.
What you willgain
This internshipoffers hands-on experience in programmable photonics, computer-generatedholography, synchronized instrumentation, and super-resolution imaging. Youwill work at the interface between software engineering and experimentaloptics, with direct responsibility for integrating numerical hologramoptimization into a state-of-the-art optical platform.
Type of internship: Master internship
Duration: 3 to 5 monhts
Required educational background: Computer Science, Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Physics
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact John Petersen (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Giammarco Nalin (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-292. Mention this reference code in your application.
Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.
Applications should include the following information:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Projectoverview
You will workwith an advanced programmable-mask optical platform for computer-generatedholography (CGH) based on phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs) andmultiple laser sources.
Machinelearning-based optimization is used to compute high-fidelity computer-generatedholograms. The main engineering challenge is to calibrate and synchronizemultiple SLMs while combining holograms generated by different laserwavelengths, maintaining precise spatial registration and deterministic timingthroughout the imaging process.
Your role
You willcontribute to the development of the free-space optical system, with aparticular focus on the phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs), includingtheir alignment, calibration, and hologram evaluation. You will developstrategies for synchronizing multiple SLMs and design, implement, and validatethe software that controls hologram generation. Working closely withresearchers in optics and computational imaging, you will:
- Develop software to load,sequence, and synchronously update multiple SLMs.
- Integrate ML-based hologramoptimization into the experimental control software.
- Calibrate the spatialalignment, relative magnification, and optical distortion of reconstructedholograms.
- Characterize reconstructionquality by evaluating imaging performance and identifying practical limits inresolution, accuracy, and throughput.
- Document the software,calibration procedures, and experimental results.
Your profile
You are pursuinga degree in Applied Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering,Photonics, or a related field.
- Strong programming skillsare essential. You should be comfortable developingscientific software in Python, with experience in C++ and/orMATLAB considered an advantage.
- Experience in one or more ofthe following areas is beneficial, but not required:
- Free-space optics, imageprocessing, signal processing, or computational imaging.
- Fourier optics,computer-generated holography (CGH), or spatial light modulators (SLMs).
- Hardware interfaces, hardwaretriggering, or laboratory instrumentation.
- Numerical optimization andexperimental characterization.
Above all, youare curious, enjoy solving practical engineering problems, and are motivated towork at the interface of software and experimental optics.
Expectedoutcomes
By the end ofthe internship, you will have developed a documented software framework forsynchronized multi-SLM operation, together with validated calibration andtiming procedures. Your final report will evaluate the system's imagingperformance and recommend improvements to synchronization, reconstructionfidelity, and acquisition speed.
What you willgain
This internshipoffers hands-on experience in programmable photonics, computer-generatedholography, synchronized instrumentation, and super-resolution imaging. Youwill work at the interface between software engineering and experimentaloptics, with direct responsibility for integrating numerical hologramoptimization into a state-of-the-art optical platform.
Type of internship: Master internship
Duration: 3 to 5 monhts
Required educational background: Computer Science, Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Physics
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact John Petersen (< email deleted for security reasons >) and Giammarco Nalin (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-292. Mention this reference code in your application.
Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.
Applications should include the following information:
- resume
- motivation
- current study
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
