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Physics of thin films, surfaces and interfaces

Summary

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

Literature

M. Ohring, The materials science of thin films, Academic Press 1992.
H. A. Macleod, Thin-film optical filters, 2nd ed. Bristol, 1986
P. Yeh, Optical waves in layered media, Willey, New York 1988
R. M. A. Azzam, N. M. Bashara, Ellipsometry and polarized light, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1977.
J.A. Ogilvy, Theory of wave scattering from rough surfaces, Adam Hilger, 1991.
B. D. Cullity, Introduction to magnetic materials, Addison-Wesley, London.
J.A.C. Bland and B. Heinrich (Eds.), Ultrathin magnetic structures I-IV, Springer 2005.

Advised literature

Papers in scientific journals


Language of instruction čeština
Code 516-0966
Abbreviation FTVRP
Course title Physics of thin films, surfaces and interfaces
Coordinating department Institute of Physics
Course coordinator prof. Ing. Ondřej Životský, Ph.D.