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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: EEEM021 Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO NANOTECHNOLOGY
Module Provider: Electronic Engineering Short Name: EEM.NAN
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: CAREY JD Dr (Elec Eng)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Autumn semester

Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
Written Closed Book Examination (2 hours)
80
Assignment
20
Qualifying Condition(s) 
A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass this module.

Module Overview
This module is designed to provide the students with an understanding of the fundamentals of nanotechnology
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

Level 2 Semiconductors or equivalent

Module Aims

To provide students with:
(i) an appreciation of the background and current status of nanotechnology,
(ii) an understanding of relevant basic scientific principles underpinning nanotechnology, including the importance of quantum effects in matter,
(iii) an appreciation of some important nanomaterials, their growth and characterisation,
(iv) an appreciation of relevant tools and processes for measuring and characterising nanosize objects

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students are expected to be able to:
(i) summarise issues relating to nanotechnology in relation to low dimensionality and high surface area;
(ii) demonstrate an understanding of relevant theoretical ideas based on quantum effects;
(iii) perform quantum mechanical calculations and interpret the results and relate to experimental results;
(iv) be able to describe the growth and characteristics of a range of nanomaterials;
(v) discuss the operation and use of different scanning probe microscopies and
(vi) be able to describe the use of electron and ion beam technologies.

Module Content

1. Introduction and basic theory
(i) Origins and nature of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in society, current issues.
(ii) Commercial aspects of nanotechnology.
(iii) Quantum nature of matter. Electron energy levels. Wavefunctions and tunnelling. Solving simple quantum problems.
(iv) Electron field emission and display technology.

2. Nanomaterials
(i) Length scales, top-down and bottom-up approaches to nanotechnology. Common growth methods.
(ii) Properties of selected nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, other carbon based materials C60, graphene, and metallic nanoclusters and nanowires.

3. Scanning Probe Microscopy
(i) Scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy
(ii) Atomic and molecular manipulation – lateral manipulation and 2D quantum corrals, vertical manipulation, 1D quantum structures, tip induced effects, Ullmann process.

4. Tools of Nanotechnology: Electron and Ion based methods
(i) Electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), image processing and analysis
(ii) Optical and electron beam lithography
(iii) Focused Ion beam.

Methods of Teaching/Learning

Lectures: 30 hours lectures in total, 3 hours per week

Private study of specified articles and tutorial sheets

Selected Texts/Journals

1. The Physics of Low-Dimensional Semiconductors, J Davies, ISBN 052148491X

2. Introduction to Nanoelectronics, V.V. Mitin, V.A. Kochelap and M.A. Stroscio, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9780521881722. (2008)

3. Nanophysics and nanotechnology by Edward Wolf, An Introduction to Modern Concepts in Nanoscience, 2nd Edition, ISBN 3527406514 (2006)

4. Waser. R. (ed) Nanoelectronics and Information Technology: Advanced Electronic Materials and Novel Devices (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 200

Last Updated

14th June 2010