MATERIALS AND NANOSTRUCTURES LABORATORY

The approach for this course is of experimental type.

The specific training objectives of this course are inherent to the three aspects of 1) synthesis, 2) processing, 3) characterization of nanostructures and materials and the corresponding elaboration and analysis of experimental data. In particular:

• Synthesis:

  • understanding the physical phenomena (thermodynamic and kinetic) underlying the formation of nanostructures and materials

  • acquisition of knowledge and skills about the preparation of nanostructures and materials in the general context of the most recent developments

  • acquisition of basic knowledge concerning the operating principles of scientific instrumentation suitable for the synthesis of nanostructures and materials (ultra-high vacuum vapor deposition techniques, liquid phase deposition techniques)

• Processing:

  • understanding the physical phenomena (thermodynamic and kinetic) underlying the morphological/structural evolution of nanostructures and materials as well as induced by post-synthesis processes (thermal processes, ionic irradiation, etc.)

  • acquisition of basic knowledge concerning the operating principles of scientific instrumentation suitable for the structural/morphological modification of nanostructures and materials (ovens, ion implantator)

• Characterization and experimental data elaboration:

  • understanding the physical phenomena underlying morphological, structural, compositional and optical characterization techniques for nanostructures and materials.

  • acquisition of knowledge and skills about the characterization of nanostructures and materials in the general context of the most recent developments

  • acquisition of basic knowledge concerning the operating principles of scientific instrumentation suitable for the characterization of nanostructures and materials (advanced microscopies, ion-based spectrometry, optical spectroscopies)

  • acquisition of autonomy and critical capacity in the processing of experimental data (considering experimental errors and the sensitivity of the various analytical techniques) and to produce a scientific report (document or slides) that summarizes any experimental path possibly performed

In particular, and with reference to the so-called Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the

following knowledge and skills.

Knowledge and understanding abilities:

• Critical understanding of the most advanced developments of Modern Physics, both theoretical and experimental, and their interrelations, also across different subjects.

• Remarkable acquaintance with the scientific method, understanding of nature, and of the research in Physics.

Applying knowledge and understanding ability:

• Ability to identify the essential elements in a phenomenon, in terms of orders of magnitude and approximation level, and being able to perform the required approximations.

• Ability to use analogy as a tool to apply known solutions to new problems (problem solving).

• Ability to plan and apply experimental and theoretical procedures to solve problems in academic or applied research, or to improve existing results.

Ability to use analytical and numerical tools, or science computing, including the development of specific software.

Ability of making judgements:

• Awareness of security problems in laboratory activities.

• Ability to convey own interpretations of physical phenomena, when discussing within a research team.

Communication skills:

• Ability to discuss about advanced physical concepts, both in Italian and in English.

• Ability to present one's own research activity or a review topic both to an expert and to an non-expert audience.

Learning skills:

• Ability to acquire adequate tools for the continuous update of one's knowledge.

• Ability to access to specialized literature both in the specific field of one's expertise, and in closely related fields.

• Ability to exploit databases and bibliographical and scientific resources to extract information and suggestions to better frame and develop one's study and research activity.

Theory lectures: 3 ECTS corresponding to 21 hours

Laboratory activity: 3 ECTS corresponding to 45 hours

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

A) Synthesis

A.1) Theory lectures

- General introduction to vapor phase deposition techniques and liquid phase deposition techniques for thin films and nanostructures on substrates (sputtering, evaporation, molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, chemical bath deposition, hydrothermal deposition, electrochemical deposition);

- Sputtering-based deposition of thin films and nanostructures on substrates: kynetics and thermodynamics concepts, deposition parameters, experimental systems;

A.2) Laboratory activity

- Thin films depositions on substrates by the sputtering technique;

- Chemical bath deposition of nanostructures.

B) Processing

B.1) Theory lectures

- General introduction to the basic processes and parameters involved in nanostructures and materials evolution under thermal processes and ionic implantation/irradiation.

B.2) Laboratory activity

- Thermal processes of thin films deposited on substrates;

- Ionic implantation of thin films or nanostructures.

C) Characterization and experimental data elaboration

C.1) Theory lectures

- Scanning electron microscopy: basic principles, electron-matter interaction, experimental system;

- Atomic force microscopy: basic principles, the local probe principles, experimental system;

- Rutherford backscattering spectrometry; collision kinematics; cross section; energy loss;

- Introduction the the optical response of materials, the electronic and phononic dielectric function;

- Experimental systems and measurements modes.

C.2) Laboratory activity

- Scanning electron microscopy analysis of thin films and nanostructures on substrates; use of software foe data and images analysis;

- Atomc force microscopy analysis of thin films and nanostructures on substrates; use of software foe data and images analysis;

- Analysis, elaboration and comparison of the experimental data acquired by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy;

- RBS spectra acquisition and data analysis by suitable software (RUMP and/or SimNRA);

- UV-Vis and IR reflectivity measurements;

- Quantitative data analysis and elaboration.

1) P. M. Martin, Handbook of Deposition Technologies for Films and Coatings-Science, Applications, Technology, Elsevier 2005

2) K. Wasa, M. Kitabatake, H. Adachi, Thin Film Materials Technology-Sputtering of Compound Materials, William Andrew Publishing 2004

3) L. Reimer, Scanning Electron Microscopy- Physics of Image Formation and Microanalysis, Springer 1998

4) J. I. Goldstein et al., Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microanalysis, Springer 2018

5) V. L. Mironov, Fondamenti di Microscopia a scansione di Sonda, Accademia Russa delle Scienze 2004

6) A. Foster, W. Hofer, Scanning Probe Microscopy- Atomic Scale Engineering by Forces and Currents, Springer 2006.

7) L. Feldman, J. Mayer “Fundamentals of Surface and Thin Film Analysis” North-Holland Ed.

8) K.-N. Tu, J. W. Mayer, L. C. Feldman, “Electronic Thin Film Science” Macmillan Publishing Company

9) E. Rimini, “Ion Implantation: Basics to Device Fabrication”, Springer

10) K. B. Oldham and J. C. Myland, “Fundamentals of Electrochemical Science” Academic Press

11) H. Kuzmany, Solid State Spectroscopy, Addison-Wesley

12) Garcia Solé, An introduction to the Optical Spectroscopy of Inorganic Solids, John Wiley & Son