II semester

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The first part of the Nanotechnology course introduces thin film depositions using both physical and chemical vapour depositions. The main objective is the knowledge of the potential and limits of the different thin film depositions in the nanotechnology field. Particular attention is destinated to the deposition technique used in micro and nanoelectronics based on semiconductors using top-down and bottom-up approaches. The interaction of both approaches has been discussed with the student in order to share the importance of multidisciplinary knowledge (physics, chemistry and engineering) where the nanotechnology field is based. The final part of module 1 is destinated to the introduction of the case study of the course about the thin film fabrication of an emergent photovoltaic technology: the perovskite solar cells. In particular, the study of the optoelectronic properties of the materials and the fabrication of several device architectures is important to understand the important role of the manufacturing design in thin film photovoltaic technologies destinated at the industrial level.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Regarding the first module, at the end of the course, the student will have a clear overview of the main deposition technique studied and applied in nanotechnology for different application fields.
Regarding the second module, at the end of the course, the student will know the main characterization techniques for nanostructured materials and electronic and optoelectronic devices till nanometric size.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The student will be able to recognize the applicability areas for the various characterization and realization techniques at nanometric scales. She/He will also be able to apply the knowledge and understanding developed during the course to study and understand recent literature.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
The transversal preparation provided by the course implies
1) the student’s capability to integrate knowledge and manage complexity
2) the student’s ability to deal with new and emerging areas in nanotechnology application to energy and nanoelectronics.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
The student will be able to clearly and unequivocally communicate the course content to specialized interlocutors. He will also be able to communicate the main physico-chemical characteristics of nanostructured materials and to indicate the most appropriate deposition/processing technique of these materials to technical interlocutors (example: other engineers, physicists, chemists) but not specialists in the field of electronics or devices. The student will also have a sufficient background to undertake a thesis/research work in modern nanotechnology laboratories.

LEARNING SKILLS:
The structure of the course contents, characterized by various topics apparently separated but connected by an interdisciplinary and modular vision, will contribute to developing a systemic learning capacity that will allow the student to approach in a self-directed or autonomous way to other frontier problems on nanotechnology application to energy and nanoelectronics. Furthermore, the student will be able to read and understand recent scientific literature.

SYLLABUS

I part: Physics and Engineering of cutting-edge nanotechnologies (tot. 3 CFU)

1) Quantum Mechanics and physiscs of semiconductors.
2) Quantum structures and nanodevices: quantum wires, quantum dots, quantum well.
3) p-n junction and diodes.
4) Devices based on quantum mechanics: Working principles and design guidelines for photodiodes, solar cells, light emitting diode (LED), laser.
5) New frontiers of the nanotechnology applications: innovative nanomaterials (2D materials) and organic electronics.

II part) Characterization techniques for nanomaterials and nanodevices (tot. 2 CFU)

1) Absorbance and Fluorescence Spectroscopy
2) Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
3) Raman Spectroscopy
4) Electron Scanning Microscopy (SEM)
5) Tansmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
6) Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)
7) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
8) Kelvin Probe Microscopy (KPFM)

III part: Lab Experiences on characterization and engineering of nanomaterials and nanodevices (tot. 1 CFU)