IN honour of INternational women's day we would like to highlight women’s contribution to the field of quantum science and technology. to do this we have INTERVIEWed Esther van de Logt ON HER CHOICE TO PURSUE A PH.D.
How did you decide to do a PhD and why did you go for the field of quantum science and technology?
During my life I have always found a way to challenge myself, or to make my own life more difficult. I don’t like choosing the easy way out. While thinking about what I would like to do after my studies I thought about going to industry, but the feeling of doing a PhD made me feel slightly more uncomfortable. Can I really do it? Am I smart enough? Four years is a long time. These doubts made me realize a PhD is outside my comfort zone, and is the easiest way to challenge myself more. To really see what I am capable of. I chose to go for the field of quantum, because I really liked following all courses about physics on the nanoscale and about quantum mechanics.
Can you talk a little bit about your work as a Ph.D. student? What is your research topic?
My research topic is about germanium-silicon nanowires. Currently I am getting the hang of all the different tasks in the lab, like fabricating my own chip in the cleanroom and electrical characterization of the fabricated chip. I love working in the lab, and solving problems, so this is what I focus most on. Next to that, I help teaching the quantum matter course for first year students.
Why do you think it's important for this kind of research to be done?
The research is quite fundamental, and I think this goes hand in hand with more practical research. You need the fundamental research for the practical applications of the future. For advancements in computing power, or even building a quantum computer, we need fundamental research for new device concepts.
What kind of future developments in your research field do you foresee?
That is a good question, which I find hard to answer. With a lot of new research I am so amazed at what we all can do. Things that seem impossible or extremely hard to achieve are somehow realized. That is the main reason I find it very hard to make a prediction about developments in my research field. For my own research I think we will have better control over the hexagonal nanowire growth in the near future, and we will have more control over the placement of these nanowire on the chips we fabricate.
How do you manage your time for your PhD and for your hobbies/other interests?
I really try to draw a strict line between my work life and my private life. In general, I don’t read emails outside working hours and I hardly ever work in the weekends. I mainly work in the office and try to prevent working at home. In this way the office is my working environment and at home it does not feel like a working environment.
Have you faced any challenges yet and if so, how did you overcome them?
My challenges were mainly during my study time. I studied applied physics at an applied university, which means I had to do a premaster to enter the applied physics master program at the University of Twente. The premaster was extremely challenging, and I had to sacrifice a lot of social activities to manage it. I struggled a lot changing from a business-oriented mindset that I had learned at the applied university to a science oriented mindset that I had to use at the university. There is a countless amount of times that I thought I would never make it, but last year I finally received my magical masters diploma, of which I had dreamed so many years. This, I really could not have done without the amazing study advisors I had during my master’s and the amazing staff of the applied physics master.
What would be your advice for young women wishing to pursue their passion in STEM in general and quantum science and technology in particular?
If you like the study you are interested in, just try it. The worst thing that can happen is that you fail and that you’ll have to try something else. Don’t be afraid to start something new and step out of your comfort zone. I really believe being outside your comfort zone is the best learning environment. And don’t be intimidated by the ratio of men and women in your study, I got used to being surrounded by mostly men and some women very quickly.
A STEM study at a university can seem extremely intimidating. But talk about these feelings with your fellow students, your teachers, your study advisor. You might feel alone at first, but there are so many people who will very likely feel the same way. Also, I really think everyone can successfully have a career in STEM, you just have to have the right motivation.
