Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:- To understand the basic concepts of physical characterizations. (1st Dublin descriptor)- To acquire awareness of the different degrees of difficulty involved in designing and performing a new experiment. Addressing and solving the problems that might arise. (2nd descriptor of Dublin)- To develop a sensitivity to assess the most appropriate experimental techniques, as well as the size orders of the variables in play. (3rd descriptor of Dublin)- To produce a written report that analytically and critically portrays the progress and results of a simple experiment. To treat orally the same topics. (4th Dublin descriptor)- Learn how to conduct experiments autonomously. (5th Dublin Descriptor)
Prerequisites
Fisica 2 con laboratorio
Struttura della Materia
Course unit content
This course offers to the students, almost at the end of their undergraduate training, an overview of techniques for physical characterization of materials. The detailed program is available on the ELLY platform.
Full programme
Microscopies, Spectroscopies, Soft Matter
• Light detectors, as a function of application to spectroscopies.
Fluorescence
• Liquid crystals
• Scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis
• Scanning force microscopy
• Interfacial tensiometry, emulsions, foams and solid foams
Ferroic functional materials
Experimental techniques for the macroscopic characterization of the hysteretic processes in ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials
Magnetometry (extraction, vibrating sample, SQUID, anomalous Hall effect);
AC Susceptometry;
Piezostrain measurements;
Polarization loops
Experimental techniques for the microscopic characterization of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials
Magnetic and ferrolectric imaging by AFM (I.e. Magnetic and Piezoresponse Microscopy);
Magnetic and ferroelectric imaging with synchrotron radiation (PhotoEmission Electron Microscopy).
Bibliography
K. N. Krishnan
“Principles of Materials Characterization and Metrology” Oxford University Press
- R.A.L. Jones “Soft Condensed Matter” Oxford University Press
- N. Spaldin, Magnetic Materials: Fundamentals and Applications, Cambridge University Press.
Teaching methods
The course begins with lectures common to all students, to outline the conceptual basis of the experiments available, highlighting the possible experimental difficulties and measures to overcome them.
Handouts are uploaded on the Elly portal.
Then the laboratory sessions follow, where students, in groups perform the experiments.
Active participation of the student in the laboratory experiences is an essential part of the course, as well as of the evaluation path.
In the presence of special conditions (for example, in the case of working students) personalized timings/ courses can be planned.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam will comprise both a written examination (with open questions on the course content) and an interview. During the interview, students will also be asked to discuss relevant entries of their experimental logbooks.
The final mark will be assigned as the average of the mark obtained in this module with the mark obtained in the module “Chemical characterization of materials”.
Other information
Students are encouraged to keep a detailed "log book" on paper.
