Material Testing Techniques

This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

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

  This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the 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 various techniques
• train students to become informed users of these techniques

- Organization of the Material

- 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; relaxation phenomena and radiative and non-radiative recombination; photoluminescence excitation; measurements of radiative and non-radiative lifetimes.

Local-probe microscopy: operating principles of SPMs (AFM, STM, etc.); atomic, molecular, and particulate interactions; contact mechanics; vibrational response of a cantilever; tunneling effect; electronic states.