Module: Nanotechnology & Surface Analysis 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Nanotechnology & Surface Analysis 2
Module Code	PHY1077 (ITS: PS525)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module introduces research students to the emerging field of nanometer scale science and technology and surface analysis. This includes: an understanding of relevant basic scientific principles underpinning nanotechnology; an appreciation of some important nanomaterials and their growth, characterization and applications; an appreciation of relevant tools and processes for measuring and characterizing nanosize objects and surfaces.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the application of quantum mechanics to nanostructures and devices.
2. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of both hard and soft materials in nanotechnology.
3. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the top-down and bottom-up approaches to nanotechnology and demonstrate this systematic understanding by categorising various approaches.
4. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the principles of microscopy on the nanoscale.
5. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of experimental methods for the surface characterisation of nanoscale materials.
6. Demonstrate this systematic understanding by preparing and delivering a brief presentation outlining the key scientific elements underpinning a particular topic in nanotechnology or surface analysis of relevance to the student's own research project.
7. Demonstrate this systematic understanding and also demonstrate a critical awareness of the main issues in a particular topic in nanotechnology or surface analysis by undertaking a literature survey on a particular topic of relevance to the student's own research project.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	8 x 3 hour workshops – 24 hours total
Tutorial	6	6 x tutorials – 6 hours total
Independent Study	95	Study for lectures and tutorials (31 hours), work on presentation preparation (25 hours), work on literature survey (25 hours), preparation for examination (20 hours).
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20906	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Karsten Fleischer	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Literature survey	25%	Week 28
Presentation	Presentation	25%	Week 30
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Prerequisite physics background
Review of (i) elementary quantum mechanics; (ii) elementary statistical physics;(iii) essentials of solid state physics

Synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials
Description of MBE, CVD, lithography, pattern transfer, chemical methods, etc. Discussion of growth mechanisms and stability of nanomaterials A survey of known nanomaterials and nanostructures including: nanocrystals, fullerenes, carbon nanotube, semiconductor nanorods, nanocables, quantum wells, quantum dots, quantum wires, superlattices.

Physical properties at the nanoscale
The effects of quantum confinement on optical and magnetic properties, tunneling phenomena, Coulomb blockade.

Transport at the nanoscale
(i)Time and length scales of electrons in solids (ii) Statistics of electrons in solids and nanostructures (iii) Density of states of electrons in nanostructures (iv) Electron transport in nanostructures

Measurement techniques at the nanoscale
(i)Scanning probes, (ii) Electron microscopy,(iii) Optical and electron spectroscopies, (iv) Calorimetric and mechanical measurements.

Special topics in nanoscale science and technology
Topics selected from: (i)Nanoelectronics; (ii)Photonic crystals and nanophotonics; (iii)Nano electromechanical systems (NEMS); (iv) Spintronics, (v)Nanomagnetics, (vi)Quantum Computation; (vii) Biotechnology.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

S.M. Lindsay: 2010, Introduction to Nanoscience, 1, Oxford University Press, UK, 9780199544219
D. Natelson: 2015, Nanostructures and Nanotechnology, 1, Cambridge University Press, UK, 9780521877008
A. De Stefanis and A.A.G. Tomlinson.: 0, Scanning probe microscopies : from surface structure to nano-scale engineering.,
R. Saito, G. Dresselhaus, M.S. Dresselhaus: 0, Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes,
C.P. Poole and F. J. Owen: 2003, Introduction to Nanotechnology,, Wiley Interscience,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None