Physics of thin films, surfaces and interfaces

I. Technology of thin-film preparation and characterization of thin films, interfaces and surfaces

• vacuum technology
• methods of thin film preparation
• structural parameters of thin films and interfaces
• characterization methods of thin films, interfaces and surfaces

II. Optics of thin films and surfaces

• electromagnetic theory of light propagation, effects on boundary
• matrix description of layered medium, anisotropic and magneto-optical films
• effects of partial coherence, thick films
• thin-film interference filters, design, applications
• periodic systems, 1D photonic crystals
• optics of rough surfaces, methods of effective medium, scalar diffraction theory, perturbation theory
• measurement of thin-film parameters – reflectivity, transmission, ellipsometry, ATR

III. Magnetic thin films

• magnetic anisotropy, hysteresis loop
• magnetic domains, magnetization reversal
• parpendicular magnetic anisotropy, exchange interaction, surface magnetism
• spin transport, giant and tunel magnetoresistrance
• magnetic and magnetooptic recording
• thin film magnetic sensors

IV. Electric properties of thin films, surface effects

• conductivity of thin films
• dielectric properties of thin films
• eletric transport, temperature dependence
• application of thin films in technology ULSI