Learning objectives
With this course participants will acquire:
1) Knowledge of the properties of materials, in particular functional materials
2) Good knowledge of the preparation methodologies of polycrystals, single crystals, epitaxial films and nanostructures.
3) Ability to identify the most suitable preparation technology depending on the material of interest
4) Understanding the properties of the materials as a function of the preparation parameters.
5) Ability to independently plan optimized experimental methodologies to improve the performance of the materials of interest and minimize defects.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic concepts of solid state physics, chemistry and thermodynamics.
Course unit content
Materials as the key to development of advanced technologies; Relationships between crystal structure and functionality; Theoretical foundations of crystal growth; Growth methods for single crystals, films, and nanostructures; Relationships between growth parameters and properties of the materials; Examples of materials for advanced applications.
Full programme
- Introduction; importance of advanced materials as a key to advanced technologies; examples.
- Relationships between chemical composition, crystallographic structure and physical properties
- Crystalline materials; natural crystals and synthetic crystals; purity requirements, morphological and structural perfection
- Tailoring of properties by introducing impurities (doping)
- The size of the (nano)crystal as a degree of freedom to vary the physical properties; importance of the nanostructures
- Fundamentals of crystal growth; definition of crystal growth as a phase transition; nucleation theory; thermodynamic and kinetic aspects;
- Fluid-dynamics in growth from the melt; concept of stagnant layer; segregation phenomena; impurity distribution profiles; mass and heat transport; constitutional undercooling
- Single crystal growth techniques (from melt, from vapor phase, from solution); growth of thin films (epitaxy from molecular beams, from vapor phase, from solutions, sputtering and laser ablation); methods for the preparation of nanostructures
- Lattice mismatch between film and substrate; stressed heterostructures; strain as a degree of freedom for the design of innovative materials
- Extensive and point defects in crystals; classification of defects and methods to reduce their concentration; "useful" defects
- Description of the growth methodologies for some technologically-important materials (semiconductors, organic semiconductors, laser crystals, functional oxides, etc.)
- Definition of metamaterials and their applications
Bibliography
1) Handout and other didactical materials provided by teacher
2) Deborah D.L. Chung, Functional Materials: electrical, dielectric, electromagnetic optical and magnetic properties; World Scientific, 2022
3) D.T.J. Hurle (Ed.), Handbook of crystal growth (6 volumi), Elsevier 1993, 2a edizione 2015
4) R. Fornari e C. Paorici Eds, Theoretical and technological aspects of crystal growth, Trans Tech Publ 1998;
5) I.V. Markov, Crystal growth for beginners, World Scientific 2003;
6) E.A. Irene, Electronic materials science, Wiley 2005;
7) M. Noginov and V. Podolskiy Eds, Tutorials in Metamaterials, CRC Press 2012
Teaching methods
Lectures will be given in person in a classroom with audio-visual support
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral test including:
- Short seminar (max 20 min) on a topic freely chosen by the student among those presented in the course
- Questions on course's content in order to check how familiar the student is with topics and basic concepts.
Final mark will be based for 1/3 on the seminar and 2/3 on the question time.
Other information
Additional activities:
Visit of IMEM-CNR labs in the University Campus (possibility of further visits to research institutions or companies).
Discussions and seminars on innovative materials for advanced technologies.
