• Time:

  Monday: 17:00 - 18:30

  Thursday: 17:00 - 18:30



• Location: TH254

• What Brock calendar entry says:
  
  • Introduction to the physics, theory of operation, and data analysis approaches of experimental materials physics characterization techniques.
  
  

• Prerequisite(s)
  • Students must have enrolled in PHYS 5P79 or obtain the instructor's permission.
  
  

• What does student need to bring into the course?
  • A foundational understanding of physics principles will be advantageous. Students should review basic concepts related to materials properties, including magnetic properties, electric properties, thermal properties, and surface and composition characteristic. While the course covers the fundamental theoretical concepts underlying the measurement of material properties, a comprehensive exposition of which will be provided in PHYS 5P79. However, it is imperative to emphasize the significance of attaining a profound comprehension of these concepts. As a result, students are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the course syllabus. This facilitates an understanding of the subject matter's focal points, designated tasks, and anticipated outcomes. This proactive approach will allow students to synchronize their preparatory efforts effectively.
  
  

• Course Goals

  The primary goal of the course PHYS 5P83 is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underlying experimental techniques used to characterize the physical and structural properties of materials. This includes:

  • Physics Fundamentals: The course aims to establish a solid foundation in the physics principles that govern material behavior, enabling students to comprehend how materials respond to various measurement techniques.
  
  
  • Theory of Operation: Students will gain insight into the operational principles of different characterization and measurement techniques. Understanding how these techniques work is crucial for accurate data acquisition and interpretation.
  
  
  • Material Properties: By the end of the course, students should be able to correlate the observed experimental results with specific material properties, such as magnetic, electric, thermal, morphological, and compositional attributes.
  
  
  • Critical Thinking: Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills that enable them to establish meaningful connections between experimental observations and the theoretical framework capable of providing explanations for those observations.
  
  

  Ultimately, the course aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively employ experimental materials physics characterization techniques, thereby preparing them for further studies in materials science, research, or related fields.

  
  
• Textbook

  Considering the diverse range of topics that will be addressed within this course, the following references are provided:

  • "The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction", by Christopher Hammond, Fourth Edition, Oxford Science Publications
  
  
  • "Introduction to Solid State Physics", by Charles Kittel, Eighth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc
  
  
  • "Physics of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials", by K. H. J. Buschow, and F. R. De Boer, Kluwer Academic Publishers
  
  
  • "Magnetism and Magnetic Materials", by J. M. D. Coey, Cambridge University Press
  
  

• Communication with the Instructor
  • your instructor operates with an open-door policy, allowing you to seek one-on-one assistance and ask questions at any time, except during restricted hours.

Note: Students must achieve a minimum of 60% on the final exam to successfully obtain a credit in this course.

This is a provisional list, drawn from past experience. Overtime, some topics may be omitted, while others might be introduced on yearly basis.

• Fundamental of X-Ray Diffraction
  
  
  • Crystals and crystal structures
  • Basis, Bravais lattice, and crystal structure
  • Simple crystal structures
  
  
  • The Diffraction of X-Ray
  • Bragg's law
  • Scherrer equation
  • Intensity and structure factor
  • Lattice strain and diffraction peak
  
  
  • Rietveld Refinement
  • Rietveld parameters
  • Evaluation of Rietveld analysis
  
  
  • Rigaku Smart Lab Goniometer Setup
  • Diffraction geometry
  • Instrumental source of errors

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  
  
  • Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Electron - Matter Interaction Volume
  • Key Parameters for high - Quality SEM Images
  • Unveiling Image Blur in SEM: Causes and Solution

• Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
  
  
  • Characteristic X-Ray
  • Moseley Law
  • Critical Parameters and Quantitative Analysis
  • SEM / EDS Components and Configuration

• Magnetism
  
  
  • Origin of atomic moments
  • Spin and orbital states of electrons
  • The vector model of atoms
  • Russel-Saunders coupling
  • Hund's rules
  
  
  • Diamagnetism
  • Orbital diamagnetism (Larmor precession - Lenz's law)
  • Landau diamagnetism
  
  
  • Paramagnetism
  • Classical and quantum mechanical approach
  • Brillouin function
  • Langvin theory
  • Curie law
  • Van Vleck paramagnetism
  • Pauli susceptibility
  
  
  • Ferromagnetism
  • Heisenberg exchange interaction
  • Molecular field theory
  • Magnetic anisotropy
  
  
  • Antiferromagnetism
  
  
  • Set up Configuration of Quantum Design Magnetic Properties Measurement System (MPMS)

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  
  
  • Introduction
  • Overview of Atomic Force Microscopy
  • Basic Working Principle
  • Key Interaction Forces
  
  
  • Contact Mode
  • Roughness
  
  
  • Oscillating Mode
  • Non-Contact Mode
  • tapping Mode
  • Phase Imaging

• Heat Capacity of Solids
  
  
  • Phonon Modes
  • Einstein Model
  • Debye Model
  • Lattice Contribution to Heat Capacity
  • Electronic Contribution to Heat Capacity
  • Magnetic Contribution to Heat Capacity
  • Set up Configuration of Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS)

• The deadline for withdrawing from the course 5P83 (2024 Fall/Winter D03-S01) without academic penalty is March 6, 2025. For additional important dates, please refer to Dates by Academic Term.

Outlined below are the expectations and responsibilities we have for you.

• Students are required to attend all laboratory sessions and scheduled lecture according to Brock's Attendance Requirements


• All students must be familiar with and adhere to the rules outlined in Brock University's Academic Integrity Policy. Additionally, all graduate students must engage in their studies with the utmost integrity in accordance with Brock's integrity policy.


• Students bear the responsibility for their own learning. While the course is structured to provide guidance and support, the actual endeavor of mastering the course content rests with student themselves. To optimize their learning experience, it is essential to allocate time for studying and revisiting previous knowledge. Maintaining a consistent practice of reading and studying aids in cementing the acquired knowledge into their memory over the long term. This guarantees the foundation for students to further develop their knowledge and skills in their future professional endeavors.