Entry requirements

Surface Characterisation. Quantum physics, or Quantum mechanics and chemical bonding, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to introduce modern analysis techniques for materials characterisation, which are used both in academic and industrial research and development.

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• Describe the principles for materials characterisation with a number of methods including X-ray, electron, and ion spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction.
• In detail describe the principles of X-ray diffraction, and from this interpret of diffraction patterns.
• Descript the principle for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and what information and analysis result the method can provide.
• Motivate and discuss choice of methods for materials characterisation by comparing XXX and evaluate the suitability of different methods from a given research question.
• Critically judge conclusions in scientific publications where methods for materials characterisation have been used to answer specific research questions.

Content

X-ray diffraction (XRD), including laboratory exercise. X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA/XPS). Auger spectroscopy (AES). Optical spectroscopy (GDOES). Thermal analysis (TG/DSC). Introduction to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), including overview of sample preparation techniques. Orientation on more advanced methods based on photons, neutrons or ions (e.g. RBS or ERDA)

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory exercises, and seminars

Assessment

Written exam (3 hp), laboratory exercises and seminars (2 hp).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.