Physics of Surfaces and Nanostructures
| Title | ΦΥΣΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΝΑΝΟΔΟΜΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ / Physics of Surfaces and Nanostructures |
| Code | ΕΦΕ207 |
| Faculty | Sciences |
| School | Physics |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter |
| Coordinator | Maria Katsikini |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 40003059 |
Programme of Study: PROGRAMMA SPOUDŌN 2022
Registered students: 0
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORMOS | Basic Election | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Academic Year | 2024 – 2025 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 |
| Class ID | 600260430
|
Course Type 2021
Specific Foundation
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600260430
- At the Website of the School: https://www.physics.auth.gr/courses/205
- eLearning: https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=6210
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=6210
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Examination)
Learning Outcomes
During the course «Physics of surfaces and nanostructures” the students are expected to:
1. Understand the differences in the electronic properties of bulk materials, surfaces and nanoparticles
2. To get acquainted with the modern methods of growth and characterization of surfaces, thin films and nanostructures
3. To become familiar with the methods of fabrication of nanostructures
4. To bridge theory with practice using examples from the international literature
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Make decisions
- Work in an international context
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Be critical and self-critical
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
Course content
- Introduction to surfaces and nanostructures: Key differences from bulk materials. Representative applications (hydrophobic, biomimetic, and nanostructured surfaces; size effects; quantum confinement).
- Thermodynamic and electronic properties of surfaces: Energy cost for creating new surfaces, surface tension and energy, surface reconstruction, work function, electron affinity, surface states. Surface diffusion and oxidation.
- Thin films and semiconductor interfaces: Lattice strain and mismatch, quantum wells. Exercises and problems.
- Conditions of (ultra)high vacuum for the growth and characterization of nanostructures and clean surfaces: Features of ultra-high vacuum, basics of kinetic theory, conductivity in vacuum systems, types of pumps and vacuum gauges, material selection.
- Surface cleaning. Photolithography and its current advancements for the fabrication of nanostructures using top-down technology.
- Basics of nanostructure fabrication using bottom-up technologies: Epitaxial methods for the growth of thin films and nanostructures (molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition, and their modifications).
- Techniques for the characterization of surfaces and nanostructures: Chemical composition (AES, XPS, SIMS, micro-XRF), surface structure and monitoring of monolayer film growth (LEED, RHEED).
- Synchrotron radiation and material characterization techniques: Non-destructive identification of nanostructures (EXAFS & SEXAFS) and electronic structure (NEXAFS, UPS, ARUPS).
- Applications of nanomaterials and safety.
- Large-scale production and quality control of nanomaterials.
- Examples and applications from international literature. Review.
Keywords
surfaces, thin films, nanostructures, nucleation, growth methods, materials characterization, UHV, lithography
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
The lectures and problem-solving sessions are based on the use of ICTs (PowerPoint). Copies of the lecture notes, the homework sets, and all related teaching material and announcements can be found in the eLearning site https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=6210
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 152 | 5.1 | ✓ | ||
| Reading Assigment | 55 | 1.8 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Exams | 3 | 0.1 | |||
| Total | 210 | 7 |
Student Assessment
Description
The student performance is accessed via afinal exam. There is provision for examination in English or oral examination for students from abroad or with disabilities (as determined by the Greek law).
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
- Oral Exams (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Problem Solving (Formative, Summative)
Bibliography
Additional bibliography for study
1. Σημειώσεις και διαφάνειες του μαθήματος που διατίθενται ηλεκτρονικά (https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=6210)
2. “Introduction to surface and thin film processes” John A. Venables, Cambridge University Press
3. “Materials Science and Thin Films” Milton Ohring, Academic Press
4. “Physics at Surfaces” Andrew Zangwill, Cambridge University Press
5. “Solid Surfaces, Interfaces and Thin Films”, H. Lüth, Springer
Last Update
18-08-2025
