Operando Material Characterization, 2.0 credits

Operando Material Characterization, 2.0 hp

6FITN70

Course level

Third-cycle Education

Description

Many (organic) materials change their properties drastically under device-relevant conditions. Characterization of these properties is crucial to understanding structure-property relations, which is essential for developing novel devices or to push the state-of-the-art to higher performance. It is not straightforward, however, to characterize functional materials in these environments (in-situ). Even more difficult is material characterization during device operation, which frequently includes external actors working on the material (operando).

This course teaches the basic working principles of a variety of (operando) characterization techniques, including their benefits and drawbacks, of which several are available at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) and/or IFM. This range of techniques will be treated in a series of lectures, discussing one category of techniques per lecture. By the end of this course, students will have a broad understanding of characterization techniques and will be able to design operando characterization experiments with relevance for organic electronics.

PhD students in the field of material science working on functional (organic) materials are the target group. Techniques available to LOE (and/or IFM) will be discussed predominantly, thereby this course is ideally suited for PhD students within LOE. Other students are very welcome to follow this course, e.g., students from Agora Materiae, Forum Scientium, and IFM in general.

No specific prior knowledge is required for this course but, importantly, participants should show interest in a diverse set of characterization techniques, their working principles, and (fundamental) material characterization in general. This course is aimed at being highly interactive.

Sign up for the course by sending an email to course coordinator.

Contact

Entry requirements

Admitted to studies at postgraduate level.

Specific information

Many (organic) materials change their properties drastically under device-relevant conditions. Characterization of these properties is crucial to understanding structure-property relations, which is essential for developing novel devices or to push the state-of-the-art to higher performance. It is not straightforward, however, to characterize functional materials in these environments (in-situ). Even more difficult is material characterization during device operation, which frequently includes external actors working on the material (operando).

This course teaches the basic working principles of a variety of (operando) characterization techniques, including their benefits and drawbacks, of which several are available at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) and/or IFM. This range of techniques will be treated in a series of lectures, discussing one category of techniques per lecture. By the end of this course, students will have a broad understanding of characterization techniques and will be able to design operando characterization experiments with relevance for organic electronics.

Learning outcomes

This course will teach a diverse group of students about the importance and practical application of operando characterization in general material science, and organic electronics specifically. At the end of this course, the students should:

  • Have a basic understanding of the working principle and application of various characterization techniques (at LOE). See also Course Topics.
  • Be able to describe the benefits, drawbacks, and prerequisites for a range of (operando) material characterization techniques.
  • Be able to design operando characterization experiments, supported in-part by practical experience.
  • Be able to apply the knowledge listed above to design appropriate experiments for novel materials.

Contents

Introduction to operando characterization and learning several (operando) characterization techniques:

  • Gravimetry
  • Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared absorption spectroscopy
  • Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared emission spectroscopy
  • Vibrational and low-energy spectroscopy
  • Spin spectroscopy
  • Photoelectron spectroscopy
  • Scattering techniques
  • Mechanical characterization and microscopy

Educational methods

This PhD course will be taught in person at the Norrköping campus. Upon reasonable request, the lectures can be broadcasted online. The course consists of 8 lectures, a practical day, a discussion/recap lecture and a final written examination. Each lecture will be 2 hours, and the practical day will be approximately 6 hours.

The 8 lectures will be given on a weekly basis over the course of 8 weeks, and the lectures will be finalized with a practicum and discussion/recap lecture (week 9 and 10 respectively). The week after the discussion/recap lecture there will be a written examination (week 11).

Examination

Written examination.

Grading

Two-grade scale

Course literature

Lecture notes and relevant literature will be provided during the course.

General information

Lectures: 18 h

Practicum: 6 h

Recommended study and examination: 34 h