Entry requirements

Bachelor degree of at least 180 credits, including 70 credits in physics, chemistry, material science and/or materials engineering and 20 credits in mathematics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. (A Swedish Bachelor's degree fulfils the requirement in English.)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce modern techniques for surface characterization of materials, that are used for both academic and industrial research and development.

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• motivate and discuss choice of methods for surface characterization by comparing performance and judging usefulness of different methods for a given problem,
• describe the principles, including the interaction between the probe and sample surface, for surface imaging and measurement using electron, light, interference and scanning probe microscopy, and describe the design of some instruments,
• describe the principles for Scanning Electron Micrsocopy (SEM) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in SEM,
• describe the principles for hardness testing and nanoindentation,
• explain and compare information, quality and performance for different settings, using instruments for surface characterization.

Content

Imaging, description and measurement of surfaces. Methods included are e.g. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy in SEM (EDS), Light Optical Microscopy (LOM), interference microscopy (CSI), Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM etc.), mechanical profilometry, surface statistics, hardness measurements and nanoindentation.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, laboratory work.

Assessment

Written exam (4 credits). Laboratory work, excersises and assignments (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.