Course Summary

This course is the basic-level introductory course. The only prerequisite for it is introductory college algebra. Since no science is required, the course does begin with introductory notions of chemistry and physics necessary to understand the methods of nanotechnology. Here is the catalog description of this course:

 

Surveys the principles and processes behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials, basic tools for fabrication and characterization of nano and microstructures, and applications of nanotechnology. Examines fundamental principles and laws of electronics, atomic physics, solid-state physics and chemistry that are essential to nanotechnology will be introduced. Includes conducting virtual reality training exercises for tools such as electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanolithography, and sputter deposition, and they will then complete hands-on laboratory experiments with these instruments. Covers special topics such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and molecular electronics.

 

The text used for this class was:

 

Wesley C. Sanders, Basic Principles of Nanotechnology, CRC Press (2018).

 

Included here are the set of 12 powerpoint files used for the course, which approximately follow that text. They augment the book to include more details about cleanrooms, vacuum systems, scanning electron microscope materials physics, and thin film physics.

 

Included after these are the seven laboratories all students were required to complete the course. Virtual reality (VR) exercises are built in as part of three of the labs (sputter deposition, electron microscope, and photolithography). These were required to be performed by the students before doing the real laboratory, with a minimum passing grade of “B” at the “Intermediate” difficulty level. These VR simulations are also provided under the “Virtual Reality” tab.

 

All materials are provided as open access, no permission to borrow or expropriate required.

 Course Materials

• 1 – Introduction. Origins of nanotechnology, applications, sizes of the nanoscale. [Follows Chapter 1 of text]
• 2 -  Basic Chemistry. Matter, phases of matter, chemical elements, chemical bonding, Van der Waals forces, basic quantum picture of atomic structure. [Follows Chapter 2 of text]
• 3 – Basic Physics. Physical properties at smallest scales, quantum mechanical models of very small systems, crystallography, conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. p- & n-type semiconductors, pn junction diode. [Follows Chapter 3 of text]
• 4 - Basic Physics 2. Sizes and electronics properties of atoms. Energy bands. Molecular orbitals including pi and sigma bonds. Electromagnetic radiation. Photoelectric effect. Spectra of the elements.
• 5 – PN Juntion and Nanomaterials. Devices made from pn junctions, including solar cells and LED’s. Metals, ceramics, and polymers. Composites, types of glass, and cement. Introduction to nanomaterials.
• 6 – Qdots, Cleanrooms, and Vacuum Systems. Quantum dots. Cleanrooms and cleanroom protocols. Vacuum systems including operation of 2-stage vacuum pumping system. Types of vacuum pumps and vacuum gauges.
• 7 – Thin Film Deposition. Silicon wafers. Physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques. Atomic layer deposition.
• 8 – Carbon Allotropes. Special properties of carbon-carbon bonding. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes. Synthesis. Transistor properties. Using nanotubes in transistors. [Follows Chapter 4 of text]
• 9 – SEM & Characterization. Scanning electron microscope principles of operation, energy-dispersive spectroscopy. [Follows Chapter 8 of text]
• 10 – AFM, SPM, TEM
• 11 – Inorganic Materials
• 12 - Photolithography