AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learning objectives include the acquisition of experimental skills related to the use of probe particles (photons, electrons) for the characterization of materials in terms of their optical, compositional, morphological, and structural properties.

In particular, students will gain expertise in the use of probe particles to investigate the properties of materials, surfaces, thin films, and nanostructured systems. They will learn about the effects of photon–matter interaction through the introduction and laboratory observation of interference and diffraction phenomena of light.

They will also be introduced to and observe in the lab light absorption phenomena in thin films, nanostructured materials, or nanoparticles in solution. As a result, they will understand the principles underlying far-field optical spectroscopy techniques for material characterization.

In the second part of the course, students will learn about the effects of electron–matter interaction through the introduction and laboratory observation of electron diffraction and absorption phenomena. They will learn to use these effects for the structural, morphological, and compositional characterization of bulk materials, surfaces, thin films, and nanostructured systems.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes 12 hours of lectures in which the use of probe particles for material characterization will be introduced. The experimental techniques used will be presented, and an overview of the laboratory experiments will be provided.

This will be complemented by approximately 32 hours of hands-on laboratory activities where students, guided by instructors, will use probe particles (electrons, photons) to measure the optical, structural, compositional, and morphological properties of bulk materials, surfaces, thin films and/or nanostructured materials, and nanoparticles.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Introduction to probe particles (electrons, photons) for material characterization.
2a) Interaction of photons with matter: interference and diffraction phenomena. Periodic gratings and slits for studying light-matter interaction.
2b) Laboratory experience on light diffraction from a slit and interference phenomena of light in the presence of periodic gratings.
3a) Interaction of photons with matter: optical absorption phenomena and the Beer-Lambert law. Characterization of the optical properties of materials through far-field optical spectroscopies (transmission, reflection).
3b) Laboratory experience in which students are introduced to the main far-field optical spectroscopies (transmission, reflection) for characterizing surfaces, thin films, nanostructures, and nanoparticles in solution.
3c) Laboratory experience introducing students to optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy, with reference to diffraction phenomena limiting spatial resolution.
4a) Interaction of high-energy electrons with matter: electron microscopy. Introduction to the technique and its potential for morphological and compositional characterization of materials with nanoscale spatial resolution (Scanning Electron Microscope - SEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis - EDX).
4b) Laboratory experience in which students are introduced to the use of electron microscopy for morphological (SEM) and compositional (EDX) characterization of bulk materials, surfaces, thin films, and nanostructures.
5a) Introduction to photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger spectroscopy.
5b) Laboratory experience in which students are introduced to the use of photoemission (XPS) and Auger spectroscopy for compositional and structural characterization of surfaces and thin films.
6a) Introduction to electron diffraction.
6b) Laboratory experience in which students are introduced to the use of low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) for determining surface structure.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

O. Stenzel The Physics of Thin Film Optical Spectra, Springer

E. Hecht, Optics, Addison Wesley

N. Ashcroft, N. Mermin Solid State Physics, Cencage Learning 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

 Start of the first semester, as indicated in the academic calendar.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students, organized in groups, will be required to submit a report for each laboratory experiment conducted during the course. The assessment of these reports will contribute 30% to the final grade.

Additionally, there will be an oral exam lasting 40 minutes, during which the topics covered in the course and the experimental activities performed will be assessed. The oral exam will take place on the dates scheduled in the academic calendar, in the presence of two faculty members from the examination committee, and its evaluation will account for 70% of the final grade.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are referred to the “Additional Information” section.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students, organized into groups, are required to submit a detailed report for each experimental activity undertaken during the course. The evaluation of these reports will contribute 30% to the final grade.

Furthermore, an oral examination of approximately 40 minutes will be administered, during which the subjects covered in the course as well as the experimental work completed will be assessed. The oral examination will be held on dates specified in the academic calendar and conducted in the presence of two faculty members from the examination committee. The outcome of this examination will account for 70% of the final grade.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are directed to consult the “Additional Information” section for further details.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are reminded that in order to request accommodations during examinations, they must first upload their certification on the University’s website at servizionline.unige.it under the “Students” section. The documentation will be reviewed by the University's Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD, as indicated on the affiliated website at the following link: SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI 11430 | Students with disabilities and/or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa | Study Programs UniGe.

Subsequently, with sufficient advance notice (at least 10 days prior to the exam date), students must send an email to the instructor responsible for their exam, copying both the School’s Inclusion Coordinator for students with disabilities and SLD (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the above-mentioned Office. The email must include:

• The name of the course
• The exam date
• The student's last name, first name, and student ID number
• The compensatory tools and dispensatory measures requested and deemed necessary.

The Inclusion Coordinator will confirm to the instructor that the student is entitled to request accommodations during the exam and that such accommodations should be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will respond to confirm whether the requested accommodations can be granted.

Requests must be submitted at least 10 days before the exam date to allow the instructor sufficient time to evaluate them. In particular, if the student intends to use concept maps during the exam (which must be much more concise than those used for study), failure to meet the deadline will not allow enough time for any necessary modifications.

For further information regarding the request for services and accommodations, please consult the document: Guidelines for the request of services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids.