Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• introduce a range of modern functional materials and devices emphasising their processing, properties and limitations.
• introduce principles to describe the origins of the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of materials, and to explore structure-property relationships for bulk, thin film and nano-materials.
• discuss how these properties can be characterised and engineered for applications ranging from bulk superconductors to piezoelectric sensors, integrated CMOS, solid state lighting, displays and non-volatile memory.
• provide analysis of the key issues shaping the field and the key technologies reshaping society.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

• appreciate the range and diversity of modern functional materials.
• understand band diagrams and basic implications of quantum mechanics.
• understand qualitatively the origin of ferromagnetic and superconducting order in materials and how this results in useful materials properties.
• understand how extrinsic and intrinsic factors affect the performance of magnetic, superconducting and electrical materials.
• be able to apply their understanding of functional materials to making materials selection decisions.
• understand ferroic, non-linear response materials and the underlying phase transitions.
• understand interface behaviour and basic junctions as the basis for semiconductor device engineering.
• understand size-effects and how materials structure and properties can be controlled from the bulk to thin films and down to the nanoscale.
• understand manufacturing and characterisation requirements of these materials.
• identify current and future materials for a range of state-of-the-art sensor, integrated circuit, lighting, display and memory technologies.

Content

Magnetic, Superconducting and Electrical Materials (7L+ 1, Dr J Durrell and Dr M Ainslie)

• Basics: Recap of magnetic and electrical fields in materials
  (1L – flipped classroom: worksheet to study before lecture)
• Magnetic Materials and Applications (2L);
• Superconducting Materials and Applications (2L);
• Electrical and Multi-ferroic Materials and Applications (2L);
• Guided Classwork Exercise and Superconductivity Demonstration (1L)

Optoelectronic materials and devices (7L + 1, Prof S Hofmann)

• Bonds and Bands in Solids (1L)
• Mind the Gap: Semiconductors & Insulators (1L)
• Interface is the Device: from the field effect transistor to nano electromechanical systems (1L)
• Let there be light: light emitting diodes and solid-state lasers (1L)
• Displays and Large Area Electronic Materials (1L)
• Emerging nanomaterials – examples of novel metrology, process and device technology (2L)
• Guided Classwork Exercise and EE lab and clean room tour (1L)

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 23/05/2020 17:38