Joachim Knoch

Professor Joachim Knoch is a Full Professor and holds the Chair of Semiconductor Electronics at the Institute of Semiconductor Electronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He has been in this position since May 2011. Prior to this, he served as an Associate Professor at TU Dortmund University (2008–2011) and held research positions at IBM Zurich Research Laboratory and Forschungszentrum Jülich. He completed his PhD and Diploma in Physics at RWTH Aachen University and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT.

• PhD in Physics, RWTH Aachen University (1998–2001)
• Diploma in Physics, RWTH Aachen University (1992–1998)
• Associate Student, Queen Mary University of London (1994–1995)

His research interests are centered on the frontiers of nanoelectronics and quantum technologies. He investigates quantum technology, nanotechnology, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), and neuromorphic hardware. His work explores novel transistor concepts, particularly focusing on cryogenic electronics, Schottky barrier transistors, and alternatives to conventional doping in nanoscale field-effect transistors using materials like SiO₂ and Si₃N₄. He also conducts significant research on spin qubits in silicon and the application of 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides in electronic devices.

The trends in his recent publications (2023–2024) highlight a strong and consistent focus on advancing cryogenic electronics for quantum computing applications, engineering novel semiconductor materials like GeSn nanowires, and developing innovative device concepts such as ultrasteep slope transistors and neuromorphic hardware. His work bridges fundamental physics, materials science, and practical electronic engineering, often involving detailed device modeling and multiscale simulation.

His scientific achievements have been recognized with several awards:

• IBM Technical Accomplishment
• DFG Fellowship for Postdoctoral Research
• Borchers-Plakette for excellent PhD work, RWTH Aachen University
• Spingorum-Denkmünze, RWTH Aachen University

Professor Knoch has actively supervised numerous doctoral students to completion and has been involved in significant collaborative research projects, often in partnership with institutions like Forschungszentrum Jülich and industry leaders. His research is supported by extensive publication output and leadership in the field of advanced semiconductor devices. He leads a research group that investigates the physics and fabrication of next-generation electronic components.