General Information

Overview

The Class: We will examine in an interdisciplinary environment, the preparation, characterization, use and special properties of modern thin films. Thin films are one of the most important areas of modern technological and research, finding application in optics, solid state phenomena, microelectronics, energy conversion, catalysis, and material science. This year the class will have a hands-on component. We will work with thin film deposition and characterization equipment and aim at solving problems in student's research and/or publications.

The aim of the class is to acquaint students with how they can prepare, characterize and use thin films in their research and careers. The class will be at an advanced undergraduate/ beginning graduate student level and is of special interests to physics, chemistry and (especially mechanical, electrical and chemical) engineering students. Juniors and seniors in most natural science and engineering programs will be able to master the subject at the level taught. I will emphasize current research problems of class members in nano- and microfabrication/characterization which have a strong material science component. Including nanotubes and particles, optical, electronic, mechanical , and magnetic properties of materials, useful structures composed of thin films and oxidation. You can expect to learn the relevant basics of solid state and surface physics and chemistry, including phase diagrams and reciprocal space, structure, kinetics, growth, nucleation and transformations of thin films, crystallography, and optical interference.

Prerequisites: Students should have had Physics 123 or the equivalent. Chemistry students will find physical chemistry (Chemistry 461/462) helpful, but this is not required. Solid state physics 281 or 581 can take the place of physics 123. Any solid state class or processing class like EECE

This class is also of special interest to students have enjoyed thin film aspects of classes such as solid state physics and chemistry (such as Physics 281 or 581, Chemistry 462) or mechanical engineering/ material science (ME 352), or electrical engineering, (such as ECEn 352, 553), but these are not required.

Students must take a lot of responsibility for learning in this class. The "lectures" will be interactive and assume you have prepared by studying the assigned reading before class. I will do my best to make that expectation of prior reading self-enforcing: do not expect to benefit fully or participate fully if you do not read the chapters before class. Take notes seriously -- we will emphasize ides and methods that have wide applications in physics.

You are encouraged to collaborate with others in the class on homework and study, but you must be responsible for understanding everything you hand in. I strongly encourage the use of Mathematic, or MatLab in your homework and study, even when not specifically assigned in the homework. Some of you will want to get your own copy of these (available at a student price in the Bookstore).

EXCITING NEW MATERIAL SCIENCE:
Many exciting and far-reaching discoveries are being made in material science every week! Go each week and look at what is available. I suggest starting at http://www.mrs.org/connections/. Read an article in one of the bulletins each week. A new one comes out each month, but the old ones are stored online. Feel free to ask about articles in class.

Textbook

Our textbook is M. Ohring’s Materials Science of Thin Films: Deposition and Structure (2nd edition, Academic Press, 2002) ISBN 0-12-524975-6. Here is its table of contents. It is available in the BYU bookstore or over the internet (check first with the publisher at http://www.uscibooks.com/ or discount sources: bigwords.com, anybook4less.com, bestbookbuys.com, or addall.com etc). The Course Schedule on our Blackboard web site (see Course Information) lists which sections we will be covering in class each day. You must read these sections in advance to understand and fully participate in class sessions.

Lectures

"Lectures" will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:45 am in C247 ESC. Class participation will be essential, with student questions and thinking through difficult concepts together, so your attendance and participation in class will influence your grade. I will quickly review your reading, answering questions, doing problems, and leading discussions to deepen your understanding of the material in your reading.

Help

We will set help session times after the first day of class. There will be 2-3 a week.

My office hours are T Th 1200 to 1300 and Wed 1520-1550 You can also make an appointment to see me at other times by phone (422-3489/ 225-4967) or email. The teaching assistant/grader can also help. He is Adam Konneker, (704 575-4857) adam.m.konneker@gmail.com [Blackboard will be used since the new version is on line.]

Homework

There will be a homework assignment due every week, on class day by 1700. The assignments will be posted in the Assignments section of the web page. The assignment is to be dropped off in the slot labeled "Physics 585" in the boxes across from room N375 ESC.

Useful Constants

Exams

There will be five exams during the semester. The dates are given in the Course Schedule. Exams will generally be given in the Testing Center to allow open-ended working time. More information is given in Exam Information.

Grades: click for more details

Your grade will be based on your score on homework/labs (35%), midterm exams (40% total ), and your final exam (15%). Class participation and contribution to discussions will round off the final grade (10%). Grades will be recorded through gardner and posted at this web site.