Materials testing techniques

The aim of this module is to teach the operating principles of the main techniques for characterizing the structure (volume and surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

• X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
• optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
• local probe microscopy

  The aim of this module is to teach the operating principles of the main techniques for characterizing the structure (volume and surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

  • X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
  • optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
  • local probe microscopy

• review the physical phenomena underlying these different techniques
• train students to be informed users of these techniques

- Material organization

- Wave physics

- Atoms, Molecules and Radiation

- Condensed matter physics: structural properties, electronic properties

Recommended prerequisites:

- Quantum mechanics

- Introduction to nanoscience and nanotechnology

CCI

X-ray and electron diffraction

Optical spectroscopy: Maxwell's equations; propagation of an electromagnetic wave in a material medium; complex dielectric permittivity; radiation absorption; Fresnel coefficients and reflectivity; ellipsometry; luminescence; radiative and non-radiative relaxation and recombination phenomena; excitation of photoluminescence; radiative and non-radiative lifetime measurements.

Local probe microscopy: operating principles of SPM: AFM, STM, etc.; atomic, molecular and particle interactions, contact mechanics, vibrational response of a lever, tunneling, electronic states.