From EPFL to semiconductor innovation in action: Naïla’s 6-month R&D internship at Comet

The accidental match: Bridging EPFL physics with industrial R&D

For students specializing in fields like plasma physics, securing an industry-focused internship isn't always straightforward. Many assume that high-level plasma research is confined to university laboratories. Naïla felt the same - until she visited the Comet booth at the Forum EPFL job fair.

"The fact that I was doing plasma physics made it really difficult to find a company working with plasma," Naïla recalls. "At first, I was resigned to not working directly with plasma during my internship because I just wanted industry experience. But then I met Comet at the EPFL job fair and was surprised to see a company working so closely with plasma technologies."

That chance encounter led to an internship within the Design Verification Team in the Plasma Control Technologies division, where theoretical plasma dynamics meets practical semiconductor manufacturing.

Inside the lab: Characterization of the plasma chamber and problem solving

At Comet, interns gain hands-on experience from the start. Naïla was tasked with characterizing one of Comet's internal plasma chambers to ensure system stability and improve diagnostic parameters. Working with complex RF power hardware means encountering real engineering challenges - from system calibrations to components breaking under high power.

Engineering realities - when things don't go as expected

When a matchbox sensor burned during testing, Naïla learned how cross-functional engineering teams collaborate to troubleshoot hardware. Supported by RF engineers and lab specialists, she analyzed the hardware failure, found the root cause, and repaired the system until it was fully operational again.

A surprising discovery

Her highlight came while attempting to reproduce experimental plasma modeling results. While performing measurements with an RF matching network, she was surprised to find that a sensor was installed in the matchbox that nobody was aware of. Using this DC bias sensor in her measurements, Naïla was able to capture key plasma dynamics.

Culture & mentorship: Global scale, low hierarchy

One of the biggest shifts when moving from academic research to industrial R&D is the purpose of the work. In university, research often serves individual knowledge expansion; in an enterprise, R&D creates shared value for teams, products, and global semiconductor customers.

During her time at Comet, Naïla experienced firsthand how global engineering collaboration works:

• World-class mentorship: Together with her colleagues, she participated in an intensive 3-day technical seminar with Alexis de Chambrier, a leading US-based plasma expert, analyzing live data and exploring new process concepts.
• International alignment: Daily operations involved collaborating with cross-functional engineers across Switzerland, Germany, and the United States.
• Flat hierarchy: "In the cafeteria, everyone is at the same level," Naïla shares. "Whether speaking to senior managers or production specialists, everyone is approachable, hard-working, and ready to help."

Her advice? Don't be shy as a newcomer

Stepping into a global semiconductor company can feel intimidating for students and recent graduates. Naïla's biggest personal takeaway from her 6 months at Comet centers on mindset and confidence.

Naïla's key takeaways for future applicants:

Could this be you?