Surface Science Field of study: Biophysics
Programme code: W4-S2BFA21.2021

Module name: Surface Science
Module code: W4-2BF-MB-21-09
Programme code: W4-S2BFA21.2021
Semester: winter semester 2021/2022
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 3
Description:
PART I: Phenomenology of surfaces and interfaces Introduction to the course. Introduction to surfaces and interfaces. Surface/volume ratio. Microscopic interpretation of intermolecular forces. Interaction energy between ions, frozen and mobile permanent dipoles. Keesom energy. Interaction energy with induced dipoles: Debye induction energy, London dispersive energy. Frequency dependence of atomic polarizability. Ionization energy. Van der Waals energy. Additivity of Van der Waals interaction. VdW forces between macroscopic bodies: adsorption, adhesion, cohesion. Hamaker constant. Liquid surfaces. Interfacial thickness. Surface free energy and surface energy. Surface tension. Thermodynamics of interfaces in equilibrium: Gibbs theory. Definition of interface and Gibbs dividing plane. Interfacial excess. Thermodynamic potentials at the interface. Thermodynamic definition of surface tension. Euler relation and Gibbs-Duhem relation. Surface tension and interfacial excess. Mixing entropy and mixing chemical potential. Surface activity: case of ionic, apolar, and amphiphilic solutes. Colloidal aggregates. Critical micellar concentration. Thermodynamics of colloidal aggregation. Pressure difference across a curved surface: Young-Laplace equation. Vapor pressure at a curved surface: Kelvin equation. Supersaturation pressure. Theory of homogeneous nucleation. Heterogeneous nucleation. Wetting. Wetting line and contact angle. Young equation. Cases of partial, complete, and no wetting. Capillarity phenomena. Thin film formation. Dewetting. Pseudo partial wetting and wetting layer. Thin film deposition: dip coating and spin coating. PART II: Surface characterization techniques Scanning probe microscopy. Beam vs local probes. Atomic force microscope. Working principle: typical setup. Piezoelectric scanners and raster scan. Constant height mode and constant force mode. Interaction steepness and atomic resolution. Cantilever force sensors. Optical lever deflection detection method. Static mode of operation: contact mode. Jump-in-contact and jump-off-contact points. Lateral force and local friction coefficient measurement. Bidirectional optical lever. Dynamic modes of AFM. Problems arising in static mode: thermal noise. Response function of the cantilever as a simple harmonic oscillator. Tapping mode. Phase sensitive coherent detection and lock-in detection. Effect of conservative and dissipative interactions on resonance curve. Frequency-modulation mode. Piezoelectric resonant force sensors: quartz tuning fork. Combined scanning probes. Auxiliary distance control. Electrostatic Force Microscopy. Dependence of electric force on distance and electric properties of dielectrics. Voltage-modulated force detection. Dielectric constant, surface charge and contact potential measurement. Kelvin probe method. Kelvin probe force microscopy. Nanotribology. Friction at a contact point measured by AFM. Stick-slip model for dissipation by dynamical friction. Friction of atomic layers. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Gravimetric and non-gravimetric QCM. Interfacial viscosity and slip time.
Prerequisites:
(no information given)
Key reading:
(no information given)
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
the student can be introduced to the physics of surfaces and interfaces, focusing on basic concepts rather than specific details [MB_09_1]
 KBF_W01 [4/5] KBF_W07 [3/5]
the student is able to know the physical phenomena underlying some of the most important techniques and methods for surface analysis [MB_09_2]
 KBF_W01 [4/5] KBF_W10 [4/5]
Type Description Codes of the learning outcomes of the module to which assessment is related
exam [MB_09_w_1]
oral exam, or presentation, in seminar form, of a detailed study concerning one of the topics of the course
 MB_09_1 MB_09_2
Form of teaching Student's own work Assessment of the learning outcomes
Type Description (including teaching methods) Number of hours Description Number of hours
lecture [MB_09_fs_1]
Detailed discussion by the lecturer of the issues listed in the table "module description" using the table and/or multimedia presentations
 18
Supplementary reading, working with the textbook
 41 exam [MB_09_w_1]
laboratory classes [MB_09_fs_2]
One visit to research laboratories where experiments of surface physics using scanning probe microscopy are performed
 6
Supplementary reading, working with the textbook
 10 exam [MB_09_w_1]
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)