MENA9510 – Advanced Characterization Methods
Course content
This?course on advanced characterization methods will include the main techniques relevant to the characterization of materials. The introduction to each technique will be supervised by an expert in this technique. Time allocated for each separate technique will generally be one day. The day will start with an introductory lecture giving the basic understanding of the technique and the physical principles it is based on, as well as advantages and limitations. The lecture will be followed by laboratory work, where the participants will do the necessary preparations of samples and perform the measurements.
The course will be divided into four modules with techniques for the following type of characterizations:
- Structure and composition (for example, XRD and SIMS)
- Optical characterization (for example,?photoluminescence and infra-red absorption)
- Electrical characterization (for example,?admittance spectroscopy and DLTS)
- Surface and near-surface characterization (for example,?SEM/EDS and XPS/UPS)
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- describe the basic principles of the techniques presented in the course.
- explain the advantages and limitations of the methods.
- formulate and communicate requirements for samples suitable for each technique.
- perform simple and routine operations on the experimental setups.
- evaluate and interpret the experimental data.
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Due to laboratory capacity, the?course is limited to 12-16 students.
Recommended previous knowledge
- FYS3400 – Condensed Matter Physics,
- OR MENA3001 – Functional Materials,
- OR similar courses from other universities
Students are expected to have good knowledge of condensed matter physics and/or solid state chemistry.?
Teaching
Teaching takes place intensively over two full weeks, the two weeks separated by some time:
- About 15 hours of lectures
- Approximately 40 hours of mandatory laboratory work
The course is module-based, and all four modules can be run in parallel. Students can be divided into groups of max. 5 persons, and every two days, each group will move on to a new module.?
Examination
- Final written exam consisting of a project report is to be handed in one month after the teaching is finished.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
In this course, postponed exams are not offered for exam candidates who are ill before the exam or who become ill during the exam. A deferred submission deadline can be offered.
The illness must be documented with a doctor's certificate dated no later than the ordinary submission date. You must submit the doctor's certificate to the course's contact point before the submission deadline for the home exam.
New exams are not offered to candidates who withdraw or do not pass the regular exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.