OVERVIEW

Thin films and coatings, especially of organic and polymeric materials, are at the basis of multiple industrial applications that include the modification of optical, chemical, and mechanical properties of materials and surfaces. Studying the optical properties of these films by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy makes it easy to predict their characteristics even along the production line. Consequently, the calculation and understanding of their optical response is essential in both design and production.

The teaching provides the theoretical basis for understanding the industrial role of these systems and their optical response as well as the calculation of the latter. To this end, the student will generate his or her own code and validate it on films deposited in the laboratory using solution techniques.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide basic technical-practical knowledge on the properties, the characterization and calculation of the optical response of thin films and industrial coatings, above all polymeric. At the end of the course the student will know the main applications of these materials, the principles governing optical characterization techniques and will be able to produce models ad hoc to calculate the different optical properties. The course is therefore focused on mathematical modeling of chemical and physical phenomena aimed at their investigation e theoretical treatment. Specifically, the student will understand the different aspects that regulate the optical response of materials, the variables that influence them and that influence their applications. In practical exercises, the concepts learned will be used to define and draw up models of appropriate calculation for the different applications

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching will provide the theoretical and practical basis for modeling the optical response of thin (10 1000 nm) and thick (1-100 mm) films -especially organic- used as coatings, in packaging and in optical applications. During frontal lectures, students will acquire the theoretical basis for understanding light-matter interaction phenomena (optical functions, absorption and photoluminescence, reflection, transmission, Refraction and diffraction). They will then use the acquired knowledge to understand the optical response of films, applications and techniques used for their characterization. They will then alternate between lectures aimed at introducing the transfer matrix method and the Matlab language and labs, where students will be guided in developing their own modeling software. This will be done by gradually adding new features to the model. Students will then develop a script for calculating the response of a transparent thin film at normal incidence, and then include more variables such as multilayer structures, angle of incidence and absorption phenomena. There will then be code validation during which students will  receive some spectroscopy basics and go to the lab to fabricate some thin films and measure their reflection spectra. They will also characterize commercial films used in packaging to validate the model they created for simulating the experimentally measured spectra.

PREREQUISITES

The teaching will provide the necessary basics and therefore no specific prerequisites or propaedeuticities are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and computational labs will be conducted in the classroom. Activities concerning deposition and characterization of thin films will be carried out in the laboratory under the guidance of the lecturers.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures 

• Light-matter interaction
• Complex refractive index
• Applications and characterization of thin films: the role of optical measurements
• Transfer matrices
• Introduction to Matlab: language and formalisms
• Basics of spectroscopy

Laboratories 

During the labs, students will be guided in developing a script for calculating the UV-VIS-NIR optical response of:

• Transparent thin films at normal incidence. Comparison of polymeric and inorganic materials
• Multilayered structures
• Input of the angle of incidence (Fresnel and Critical Angle relationships).
• Materials with non-zero absorption coefficient
• The software will then be validated by:

1. Characterization of laboratory and commercial fabricated films
2. Modeling of spectra obtained in the laboratory

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teachers notes. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLA LOVA (President)

DAVIDE COMORETTO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The oral exam  will be conducted by two lecturers and will last no less than 30 minutes. The exam will be conducted in-person unless directed by the University.

The student will select a functional material according to his/her preference and present the optical and/or mechanical and/or chemical properties needed for the selected application. The material selection may be from those proposed during the course or from available literature.

Based on the material and application chosen, the student will propose a model from those developed during laboratory activities describing its characteristics, limitations and functionality.

The student will be expected to demonstrate technical competence in developing an optical model (10/30) and understanding of the theoretical/practical fundamentals related to the selected topic (10/30). Clarity of exposition (5/30) and language properties (5/30) demonstrated during the interview will also be evaluated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will focus on the discussion of the optical properties of thin films and coatings from a functional material chosen by the student and the modeling of these with the goal of verifying the achievement of the training objectives.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.