Surface Physics

PHYS 566

Fall 2016

Dr. Carl Rau	Office Hours
TTh 4.00 - 5.15pm	TTh 3.00 - 4.00pm
BRK 103	BRK 340

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First meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 , 4 pm, room BRK 103. The class is planned to be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4.00pm - 5.15pm in room BRK 103. Upon request, these times can be rescheduled. Classes 563 and 564 are not prerequisites for this class.

Texts: "Physics at Surfaces", by A. Zangwill is recommended and will be on sale in the bookstore. Further relevant books will be announced in the class. Copies of assigned readings and of literature will be handed out. Links to recent review articles will be provided. The scripts of the class will be provided either as hardcopy printouts or as html-text linked to the chapters of the course outline.

Organization: The class consists of lectures on modern topics of surface physics and of one oral presentation by the student and of a “mini-thesis” repoort, both on a selected topic assigned to each student after discussion with the student.

Course Learning Objectives: The students are expected to achieve a fundamental knowledge of experimental and theoretical surface physics including experimental methods and their experimental requirements (ultra-high vacuum (UHV) technology), chemical analysis, epitaxy, nano-scale geometric and electronic structures and devices including nonmagnetic and magnetic quantum wells, artificial superlattices, nano-wires, nano-dots (3D, 2D and 1D confinement), crystal structure, phase transitions, surface- and nano-magnetism, elementary excitations and optical properties at the nano-scale. The lectures and also the oral presentations will give all students specific details on recent developments in modern surface, nano- and picoscale spectroscopies (photo- and Auger-electron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling/force microscopy/spectroscopy, nano/picoscale non-magnetic and magnetic imaging, etc.) and new devices (spin valves, ferromagnetic single electron transistors, etc.).

COURSE OUTLINE and Topics Covered

0. Experimental surface physics & experimental requirements (UHV technology)
1. Thermodynamics
2. Chemical analysis
3. Crystal structures
4. Electronic structures
5. Phase transitions
6. Elementary excitations
7. Optical properties
8. Epitaxy and nanoscale electronic structures
9. Surface spectroscopies and nano-devices
10. Outlook

Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to use the main concepts of these spectroscopies in their future research activities. They will be able to design and carry out new experiments in the areas covered in the course outline. They will also have learned fresh and inspiring perspectives in modern surface physics which they are able to use as a potent source for future transformative research in any area of modern science. A large part of the course is dedicated to advancing and sharpening their critical thinking skills. At the end of the course the students will also be able to explore and discover new phenomena on their own.

Grade Policies
The course grade will be based on the oral presentation given by the student and on the “mini-thesis” report on a selected topic assigned to each enrolled student after discussion with the student.

Students with Disabilities: Any student with a disability requiring accommodations in this course is encouraged to contact me after class or during office hours. . Additionally, you will need to register with the Disability Support Services Office in the Allen Center.

April 7, 2016