Nanoscience

Lectures:

1. Introduction, main definitions and principles of nanoscience. Changing of the physical properties of materials on the nanoscale. The structure of materials in a bottom-up approach.

2. The effects of geometrical downscaling. The problems of top-down design. Macroscopic physical properties (mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, etc.) and their microscopic approach.

3.  Introduction to quantum mechanics. Fundamental quantum mechanical phenomena, problems and their solutions.

4. The basics of solid-state physics. Solid-state models and their significance from an electrical engineering perspective.

5. Theory of semiconductors. Transport processes in semiconductors on the nanoscale.

6. Fabrication technologies of nanomaterials I.: vapor phase and solid phase methods.

7. Fabrication technologies of nanomaterials II: liquid phase methods, self-assembly.

8. Fabrication technologies of nanomaterials - Nanolithography I.: Projection and direct writing lithographies, principle of optical, electron beam and ion beam lithography.

9. Fabrication technologies of nanomaterials - Nanolithography II.: Advanced lithography techniques. Nanoimprint lithography, nano lift-off, laser-interference lithography. Lithography with scanning probe systems (STM, AFM), nanodispensing.

10. The allotropes of carbon (diamond, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene). Physical properties, fabrication technologies.

11. Overview of the investigation methods of nanomaterials. The basics of microscopy, its limitations concerning the various methods. The basics of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

12. The basics of scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). Interaction between materials and electron beams.

13. Spectroscopy on the nanoscale: SEM-EDS, XRF, XPS, AES, Raman, SERS, FT-IR. Possibilities and limitations on the nanoscale.

Class practices:

1. Transport processes on the nanoscale. Transport equations, their modelling and their solution with computational methods.

2. Properties of organic materials on the nanoscale I. Particle size ranges and interactions. Diffusion and collisions, polar-apolar nature. Electron negativity. Oxidation-reduction. Electrochemical potential. Chemical bonds.

3. Properties of organic materials on the nanoscale II. Classification of organic materials, their roles in living processes. The structure of DNA, proteins, special molecules.

4. Properties of metallic nanoparticles, plasmonics. Surface and localized surface plasmon resonance and its application areas. Introduction to biosensors. R&D examples from current projects.

5. Application of nanomaterials in electronics technology and manufacturing. Definition and examples for nanopackaging: nano-interconnection technologies, additive manufacturing technologies with nanomaterials.

6. Advanced scanning probe microscopy examples. Field microscopy (electrical, magnetic), mechanical property mapping on the nanoscale. Near-field optical microscopy. Processing of SPM images - practical examples.

7. Laboratory visit at the ETT facilities. Demonstration of the following metrology equipment: AFM, SEM, XRF, FT-IR, 3D-printing etc.