Academic Year

Logo UAB
2021/2022

Local Probe Microscopies

Code: 43441 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
4314939 Advanced Nanoscience and Nanotechnology OT 0 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Albert Verdaguer Prats
Email:
Albert.Verdaguer@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
english (eng)

External teachers

Aitor Mugarza
Albert Verdaguer
Neus Domingo

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in physics and chemistry.

Objectives and Contextualisation

Acquire the knowledge needed to understand the fundamentals and advances capabilities of the different Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) relevant for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Competences

  • Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously
  • Identify the characterisation and analysis techniques typically adopted in nanotechnology and know the principles behind these, within one's specialisation.
  • Show expertise in using scientific terminology and explaining research results in the context of scientific production, in order to understand and interact effectively with other professionals.
  • Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Assess the particularities of physical and chemical processes that take place on surfaces.
  2. Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  3. Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously
  4. Critically analyse the validity of results obtained using SPMs.
  5. Know the appropriate local probe microscopy variant for the property to be studied.
  6. Show expertise in using scientific terminology and explaining research results in the context of scientific production, in order to understand and interact effectively with other professionals.
  7. Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
  8. Use the atomic force microscope in its basic modes.

Content

Contents:

  1. Introduction to basic concepts in surface science: Crystallography, adsorption and diffusion, thin films, intermolecular interactions
  2. Introduction to vacuum and cryogenic conditions.
  3. Introduction to Atomic Force Microscopy. General concept of Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and comparison of AFM with other SPM methods . Historical background of AFM.
  4. Contact-Mode AFM. Basic principles. Imaging and Force curves. Friction contrast.
  5. Dynamic-Mode AFM. Basic principles of Amplitude modulation and Frequency modulation. Imaging and amplitude curves. Interaction regimes and non-contact vs. intermittent contact operation. Phase shift and dissipation contrasts. Multifrequency AFM.
  6. Long range forces with AFM. Electrostatic forces in AFM. Kelvin probe Force Microscopy. Magnetic Force Microscopy. Imaging
  7. Other methods. Piezoresponse AFM. Current sensing AFM. Measurement of intermolecular forces. Adhesion forces and nanoindentation.
  8. Practical Issues:  Image artifacts, tip convolution and other effects. Piezoelectric scanner issues.
  9. Introduction to Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: High resolution imaging
  10. Spectroscopic measurements with STM, atomic manipulation.
  11. Electrochemical STM.

Methodology

Lectures, laboratory workshop, written report and oral presentation

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Laboratory 6 0.24 4, 5, 7, 8
Lectures 32 1.28 4, 5, 6, 7, 2, 3, 1
Personal time used to study (2 hours per 1 hour of lecture) 64 2.56 3
Type: Supervised      
Bibliography research/reading articles 20 0.8 3
Oral presentation 8 0.32 4, 5, 6, 7, 2, 3, 1
Type: Autonomous      
Written report 20 0.8 6, 2, 3

Assessment

At the end of the course the student must deliver a written report (10 pages) and do a 5 minutes oral presentation. Participation in lectures and laboratory workshop will be also taken into account for the final score.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Oral presentations 50 % 0 0 6, 2, 3
Participation 10% 0 0 4, 5, 7, 8
Written report 40 % 0 0 5, 6, 7, 3, 1

Bibliography

Important books and articles will be mentioned during  the lectures. All optional.

Software

use of editing software to present teaching notes and presentations