Introduction

Microelectronics forms one of the pillars of our industrial society. Thanks to the hand-in-hand development of circuit design, technology development and advanced characterization techniques, integrated circuits have become ever more powerful, faster and more functional.

Microsystems are devices and systems of very small dimensions, like physical and chemical sensors, actuators, microfluidic circuits or micro-optical systems. The field of Microsystems has developed into a multidisciplinary activity, where physics, chemistry, biology and micro-and nano-technology converge.

The EPFL Doctoral Program in Microsystems and Microelectronics offers the entryway, the administrative home, and advanced courses to EPFL's doctoral candidates in Microsystems and Microelectronics.

Research

Within the Institute of Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM), the Electronics Laboratory (LEG) has built its know-how around CMOS analog and mixed-signal IC design. Expertise has specifically been developed in some niches that include Switched Capacitor techniques, low-power and low-voltage design, RF circuits for telecom applications, interface circuits for integrated microsystems, as well as high voltage and high temperature analog circuit techniques.

The Microelectronics Systems Laboratory (LSM) is concentrating its activities on the design and implementation of high performance digital and mixed-signal VLSI circuits, intelligent (neural and neuro-fuzzy) system architectures, integrated photonic circuits and novel sensor interfaces. 

The activity of the Microsystems Laboratory (LMIS) comprises the study and development of Microsystems or Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). The laboratory has concentrated its effort on new micro- and nano-fabrication technologies using silicon, glass or plastic materials, and the development of magnetic devices and bio-MEMS applications. Most of the devices are manufactured in-house in our 800 m2 clean-room facility at the Center for Micro- and Nano-technologies (CMI).

The Microsystems for Space Technologies Laboratory (LMTS), located in Neuchatel, develops MEMS for Space applications including ion propulsion, Earth sensors, polymer actuators, and miniature plasma sources

A listing of thesis supervisors active at EPFL in Microsystems and Microelectronics research is given on the right-hand side of this page: this listing gives a good idea of the breadth and importance of the disciplines on campus.

Courses

Courses offered by EPFL's Doctoral Program in Microsystems and Microelectronics are listed in the EPFL Doctoral School course book. The course requirements in the Doctoral program in Microsystems and Microelectronics are 12 credits in total and 4 credits minimum in the EDMI program

The courses indicated below are courses from other doctoral programs which have a special link with our program.
* Topics in bioorganic chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics - Cycle1; 2 credits
* Nano-machining of materials by focused charged particle beams;1 credit
* Micro and nanomachining of materials by lasers; 1 credit
* Micro and nanostructuratin of materials; 1 credit
* Bioelectronics in electrophysiology; 2 credits
* Introduction to techniques of the physics laboratory; 2 credits

Application

To apply to this doctoral program you need to complete the online EPFL doctoral school application form and validate it with all the required documents at the latest the day of the deadline date. Beforehand, we encourage you to surf on this web site a bit, to get an idea of ongoing research in Microsystems and Microelectronics at EPFL in this discipline, and to go to the Doctoral School homepage to get acquainted with life at EPFL as a doctoral candidate. We believe you will find this information very motivating.