NanoStructures Group

Fundamentals of Nanoscience

MSc Degree in Materials Science, a.y. 2023-24

Code: SCO2045511
Schedule: year 1 - semester 2
Credits: 8 = 4 (this Course)+2+2 CFU - 64 hrs

MSc Degree in Materials Engineering, a.y. 2023-24

Code: INQ1098067
Schedule: year 1 - semester 2
Credits: 4 (this course)+2 CFU - 48 hrs

Course Syllabus

Prerequisites: Electromagnetism, Quantum Physics (particle in a box, quantum confinement), Solid State Physics (phononic and electronic structures of solids, thermal and optical properties).

Target skills and knowledge:
Learning objectives:

  • Understanding the basic concepts describing the chemical and physical properties of nanostructured materials and their applications in nanotechnology
  • Description of some techniques for the synthesis and characterization of confined nanostructures (nanoclusters) with nanotech application in photonics, plasmonics and magnetism.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: Standard lectures.

Textbooks: Slides and videos in the Moodle page.

Optional Supplementary Readings:

  • S. Maier, Plasmonics, fundamentals and applications, Springer (2007)
  • P. Prasad, Nanophotonics, Wiley-Interscience (2004)
  • C. Bohren and D. Huffmann, Absorption and scattering of light by small particles, Wiley-Interscience (2004)
  • S. Gaponenko, Introductio to Nanophotonics, Cambridge Univ. Press (2010)
  • D. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics (5th Ed.), Cambridge Univ. Press (2023)

Timetable and Reception

Lessons: start date Feb. 27, 2024.

Day SChedule Room Building
TUE 9:30 - 11:30 L1 DiSC, via Marzolo 1
WED 9:30 - 11:30 L1 DiSC, via Marzolo 1
DiSC: Dept. of Chemical Sciences

Reception hours: upon request (by email or by phone)

Program

  • Classification, characteristics, and general properties of nanostructured materials: quantum confinement and electronic properties
  • Thermodynamics of nanostructured Systems: Thermodynamic Size Effect
  • References to key Physical Synthesis Methods
  • The ion implantation for nanocluster-based nanocomposite synthesis
  • Nucleation and growth of nanoclusters
  • Properties and Applications of Nanostructured Materials:
    • linear and nonlinear optical properties
    • quantum confinement
    • magnetic properties
  • Nanostructures Characterization Techniques:
    • Transmission (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Fundamental equations for describing electron and photon dynamics
  • Confinement of electrons and photons in nanostructured systems:
    • Photon confinement in photon crystals
    • Electron confinement in metal nanoparticles
    • Electron confinement in quantum dots
  • Metamaterials
  • Negative Refractive Index Materials

Exams

Examination methods: The exam is written (duration 2 hrs) with two open questions and multiple-choice test.

Assessment criteria:Students achievements will be evaluated by assessing the student's understanding of the proposed topics and the student's ability to establish links between different topics.

Please use UNIWEB for book your exam

Results: the exams results will be published in UNIWEB.

News

HR-TEM Atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) image of a Au nanoparticle in SiO2 obtained by ion implantation.