Course

Unit I

Introduction: relation of nano to other sciences – chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, nano in nature.

Unit II

Properties of nano-materials: size effect, particle’s size, shape, and density, melting point, surface tension, gettability, surface area and pore, composite structure, crystal structure, surface characteristics; mechanical, electrical, properties, and optical properties.

Unit III

Synthesis of nanoparticles: Classification of fabrication methods – top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approaches, physical and chemical methods of preparation: CVD, controlled precipitation, sol-gel method, PLD etc; Confinement of particles – low dimensional structures – quantum wells, wires and dots.

Unit IV

Characterization of nanoparticles: X-Ray diffraction, examples of XRD, Debye-Scherzer formula; FTIR: principle, methodologies and accessories; SEM: basics and primary mode of operation, applications; TEM: basic principles; STM: basic principles and instrumentation; AFM: basics, modes of operation and applications; Photoluminescence: basic principles.

Unit V

Application of nanophysics: Carbon nanostructures: Fullerenes, CNTs and their applications; MEMS and NEMS devices; Quantum Cascade Lasers, Smart materials, GMR and Spintronic, multifarious.

Objective: To enable students to provide knowledge about nanotechnology and its applications in Physics by focusing on different areas.
Course outcomes:

1. To acquire the knowledge of nano-size and its aspects different fields of sciences
2. To explain the properties of nanomaterials and size-effect.
3. To explain different approaches in fabricating nanomaterials and to understand the basics knowledge of quantum confinement in fabricating nanomaterials.
4. To explain how nanomaterials are characterized using different instruments and their principle of working.
5. To apply the applications of nanomaterials in different fields of physics.

 CO – PO Mapping

REFERENCES:

1. Charles P Poole Jr. & Frank J Owens, Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1E, Wiley, 2007
2. W.R Fawner (Ed.), Nanotechnology and Nano electronics, Springer, 2006
3. M Hosokawa, et al, Nanoparticle Technology Handbook, Elsevier Publishers, 2007
4. S.V. Gaponenko, P.L Knight & A. Miller, Optical Properties of Semiconductor Nanocrystals, CUP, 1E, 2005
5. T Pradeep, Nano: The Essentials, TMH, 1E, 2007