PhD in Chemical and Materials Sciences

Ion Beam Based Techniques for Materials Science

Educational program: Frontiers in Materials Science

Academic year 2025/2026

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Notes
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

The course aims at providing an introduction to advanced topics in the use of ion beams for both the characterization and modification/microfabrication of materials

Results of learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

• fundamental concepts in ion-matter interaction
• fundamental concepts in ion-beam-based characterization techniques
• fundamental concepts in ion-beam-based lithography

Applying knowledge and understanding

• ability to critically assess the applicability of different approaches and techniques for the characterization of materials
• ability to critically assess the applicability of different approaches and techniques for the modification/microfabrication of materials

Program

The course treats the fundamental concepts on the use of techniques based on energetic ions (keV-MeV energies) for the characterization and modification of materials and devices. Some case studies will also be discussed. In particular, the 4 2-hours lectures will be structured as follows:

• lecture #1 - 2h (S. Ditalia Tchernij): introduction to Ion Beam Based Techniques; basic instrumentation;  MeV ion/matter interactions; Introduction to the SRIM computer code
• lecture #2 - 2h (S. Ditalia Tchernij): Ion Beam Analysis Techniques: Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS),  Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE)
• lecture #3 - 2h (P. Olivero): ion beam microscopy: basic concepts and experimental techniques
• lecture #4 - 2h (P. Olivero): ion beam lithography: ion beam fabrication and single-ion doping

Course delivery

Lectures timetable

- Tuesday 5th May 2026, 9:00am - 11:00am, sala Fubini: lecture #1 (prof. Ditalia Tchernij)

- Wednesday 6th May 2026, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, sala Fubini: lecture #2 (prof. Ditalia Tchernij)

- Thursday 7th May 2026, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, sala Fubini: lecture #3 (prof. Olivero)

- Friday 8th May 2026, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, sala Fubini: lecture #4 (prof. Olivero)

Learning assessment methods

The final exam will consist in a powerpoint-style presentation delivered by the student, in wihch one (or more) of the topics treated in the course will be expanded, in connection with the research topics followed by the candidate during his PhD course.

In preparing his presentation, the candidate will have the possibility to refer to both the lecture notes provided by the teachers and integrative articles from the state-of-the-art literature in the field.

After the presentation (of the duration of approximately 20-30 min), an open discussion will follow between the candidate and the teachers, which will determine the exam outcome (pass/reject).

- notes from the lectures

- M. B. H. Breese, D. N. Jamieson, P. J. C. King, "Materials Analysis Using a Nuclear Microprobe", Wiley-VCH (1996)

- "Handbook of modern Ion Beam Materials Analysis", Editors: Y. Wang, M. Nastasi, Materials Research Society, 2nd edition ( 2009)

- "Ion-Beam-Based Nanofabrication", Editors: D. Ila, J. Baglin, N. Kishimoto, P. K. Chu, MRS Symposium Proceedings vol. 1020, Materials Research Society (2007)

Notes

IMPORTANT: The students are invited to subscribe to the course and contact the teachers via e-mail.

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