Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title BASIC PHYSICS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY
Code CHEM326
Coordinator Prof MO Persson
Chemistry
Mats.Persson@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2014-15 Level Three Second Semester 15

Aims

The aims of this module are to provide students with the essential physical concepts that are required to understand nanoscale systems, and to enable them to study and understand interdisciplinary topics at the interface between chemistry and physics, in particular in nanotechnology. It is meant to enable them to engage successfully in interdisciplinary dialogue when working in the field of Nanotechnology. This implies knowledge of topics that require more understanding of physics than can be expected of a usual chemist. Bridging this gap is achieved by studying selected examples from nanotechnology. Mechanical, optical, magnetic and electronic properties of matter are studied on the nanometre scale down to single molecules and atoms. For each example, particular emphasis is given to the understanding of how these properties change as a function of size. This module will also be useful for chemistry students who wish to broaden their physics background, for exa mple, to enable a better understanding of modern spectroscopic techniques, microelectronics or solid state chemistry.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Apply basic physics to elucidate the properties and behaviour of nanoscale devices, small objects and molecules.
  • Relate quantum effects (e.g. size dependence of band gap) to the underlying physics.
  • Describe the function of resistors, capacitors, diodes and transistors down to the scale of atoms and molecules.
  • Relate quantitatively the capabilities of scanning tunneling microscopy to the underlying concept of tunneling.
  • Relate magnetic phenomena to basic concepts of spin and magnetic moments.
  • Relate the optical properties of nanoparticles to their size, shape and composition.
  • Apply basic Mie theory to estimate optical properties of gold nanoparticles
  • Estimate the efficiency of Brownian motion to move nanoscale objects
  • Discuss the role of thermal fluctuations in nanoscale mechanics experiments.
  • Describe the electronic structure of solids

Syllabus

Section A, 6 Lectures (DLC)

- Introduction: the mechanics of small objects and molecules (one lecture)

- Revision: kinetic energy, momentum, angular momentum, conservation laws, Newton's axioms (one lecture)

- Fields (gravitational, electric, magnetic), relations between Force, Energy, Potential and Field Strength (one lecture)

- vibrations and waves (mechanic and electromagnetic), Hooke's law, classical wave equations (DLC, one lecture)

- The Schrödinger Equation revisited (one lecture)

- The particle in the box revisited (DLC, one lecture)

Section B, 12 Lectures (MP)

- Probability of finding a particle in a volume element and tunneling phenomena, basic understanding of STM (three lectures)

- Electricity: charge, dipole, potential, dielectric constant, current, Ohm's law, resistors, capacitors, circuits (three lectures)

- Electronics: diodes, transistors, digital logic (elementary) (three lectures)

- Solid state physics: insulators, semiconductors, metals, Fermi function, band model (three lectures)

Section C, 12 Lectures (RL)

- Magnetism: induction, the magnetic moment, magnetic flux, spin, diamagetism, paramagnetism, superparamagnetism in small particles, ferromagnetism. (three lectures)

- Optics: refractive index in relation to dielectric constant, basic laws of optics, light scattering (Raleigh, Mie), optical and electron microscopy, lithography (three lectures)

- Nanoscale specialities: Brownian motion, quantised capacitance charging, the role of kT, noise, size limitations for conventional circuitry, quantum-size-effects. (three lectures)

- The physics of soft matter, AFM, force spectroscopy, biological systems (three lectures)


Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module consists of 30 x 50-minute lectures to be given in the second semester.  These lectures will be used to provide the background material necessary to succeed in this module. The lectures will be supported by six tutorials (DLC one, MP two, RL two, one joint revision tutorial by MP and RL). In the tutorials students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained from the lectures to problems of varying difficulty. Students will also be given three sets of extended problems to be assessed (25% of total mark, DLC 5%, MP 10% and RL 10%), which they will be expected to complete in their own time. They will cover the material taught by the respective three staff involved. Successful completion of these problem sets will require the application of both knowledge gained from lectures and from reading around the subject and problem solving skills gained in the tutorials. Students will be expected to spend approximately 6, 12 and 12 hours on each set of problems, respectively, and an additional six hours per week in private study related to this module.

 


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 30

  6

      36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Written Examination  3 hours  Second  75  August resit opportunity for PGT students only, where applicable. See notes    Year 3 (and Year 4) students resit at the next normal opportunity.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
three pieces of assessed work (problems) (DLC 5%, RL 10%, MP 10%)    Second  25  according to University policy  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details.  This work is not marked anonymously  

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to be decided