Applied Physics internship: Optimization of a metrology light source

Be part of progress: Join our Light Sources team at ASML

Introduction

Join our Light Sources team at ASML, a key department driving innovation in lithography technology. We focus on improving overlay, imaging, focus, and throughput—critical factors for semiconductor manufacturing. This internship offers you the chance to contribute to optimizing light sources for metrology applications, directly impacting ASML’s cutting-edge systems. If you are curious, energetic, and driven, and enjoy solving complex technical challenges in a collaborative environment, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

Your assignment

You will work on optimizing a light source for metrology applications, combining theory and hands-on experimentation. The goal is to enhance performance through analysis, measurement, and design improvements. Your main responsibilities will be:

• Analyze the physics of the light source and its impact on system performance.
• Perform qualification measurements to assess output and identify optimization opportunities.
• Propose and execute new measurement methods to gain deeper insights.
• Draw conclusions and recommend design improvements based on experimental results.
• Implement optimization recommendations in a prototype setup.
• Document findings and share results with the team.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers to refine models and methods, demonstrating a team-player mindset and a pragmatic, hands-on approach.

Your profile

To be suitable for the internship, you:

• Are pursuing a master’s degree in applied physics (preferred) or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Have a background in optics, plasma physics, or photonics.
• Possess strong experimental skills supported by theoretical knowledge.
• Are familiar with MATLAB or Python and willing to learn optical modeling tools.
• Combine strong analytical ability with a pragmatic attitude and willingness to learn.
• Are proactive, self-propelling, and comfortable working and learning experiments in a cleanroom environment.
• Thrive in a collaborative setting and bring curiosity, energy, and drive to your work.

This is an internship for a minimum of 6 months, 4 days per week (4 days on-site). The start date of this internship is as of 2 February 2026.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

About ASML

ASML is a leading supplier of lithography equipment, used by the world’s top chipmakers to print microchips that are increasingly powerful, fast and energy efficient. Working at ASML is inspiring, no matter what field you're in. That’s because we push the boundaries of technology: if it’s moving the world forward, chances are, we’re behind it. In fact, we’re probably a part of the electronic device you’re using right now. We’re a global team of more than 32,000 people from 122 different nationalities and counting. Headquartered in Europe’s top tech hub, the Brainport Eindhoven region in the Netherlands, our operations are spread across Europe, Asia and the US.