Selected Methods of Structure Analysis (FSI-9VMS)

Academic year 2021/2022
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Vít Jan, Ph.D.  
Supervising institute: ÚMVI all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: Czech
Aims of the course unit:
The objective is to provide the student with a sound overview of methods that are available for structural analysis (morphology, phase and local chemical composition) of metallic and non-metallic materials. In-depth knowledge will be offered about the methods that the student will employ within the experimental work necessary for the preparation of the dissertation.
Learning outcomes and competences:
In-depth knowledge of experimental methods employed in the preparation of the dissertation.
Prerequisites:
A prerequisite of taking this course is a very good knowledge of materials sciences in their widest scope as obtained in the course of their BSc studies and, in particular, when studying MSc specialization.
Course contents:
In the course, which does not rely on the classical pattern of lectures but rather on consultations, the content is adapted to suit the orientation of the student's dissertation. Within the course, the student acquires the basics of all currently used methods for structure characterization (optical microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, methods of local chemical analysis in electron microscopy, scanning probe methods, X-ray structural analysis, etc.). The student will learn in depth the methods to be used while working on the dissertation.
Teaching methods and criteria:
The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. In the case of less than five students only tutorials are provided.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:
Examination: written and oral parts
Controlled participation in lessons:
Teaching is not obligatory and usually is realized in tutorial form.Only in the case of more than five students some lectures are provided
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  10 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture 1. Introduction to structural and phase analyses (imaging and analytical methods).
2. Optical microscopy (methods for increasing the phase contrast).
3. Quantitative evaluation of phases; hardness and microhardness.
4. Introduction to electron microscopy.
5. Structural factor, reciprocal lattice, electron diffraction.
6. High-resolution microscopy, unconventional electron sources, diffraction by convergent beam of electrons.
7. HV transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy.
8. Environmental scanning electron microscopy, introduction to analytical methods.
9. Energy and wave dispersive spectrometry (EDS and WDS)- general characteristics.
10. Analysis based on electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS), further analytical potentials of electron microscopy.
11. Problems involved in the application of EDS and WDS, ZAF correction, analysis of sub-micron volumes.
12. Image analysis in optical and electron microscopy.
13. Diffraction methods in transmission and scanning electron microscopy.
The selection of experimental methods is adapted to the thematic orientation of the dissertation. Therefore no instruction in the form of lectures given to a group of students is envisaged. Instraction is given in the form of individual consultations.
Literature - fundamental:
1. P.B.Hirsch et al.Electron Microscopy of Thin Crystals
2. P.E.J.Flewit,R.K.Wild,Physical Methods for Materials Characterization
3. D.Brandon-Microstructural Characterization of Materials
4. V.Radle,O.Engler-Tecture Analysis
5. J.I.Goldstein,et al. Scanning Electron Micriscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis
6. Shon Ling Wang-Characterization of Nanophase Materials
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
D-MAT-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- DrEx 0 Recommended course 3 1 W
D-MAT-K combined study --- no specialisation -- DrEx 0 Recommended course 3 1 W