CET778 Surface Analysis

Physical characterisation of materials is the measurement and evaluation of the properties of materials. It is essential for the development of materials, for materials failure investigation and routine assessment. Thermal analysis constituted a group of characterisation techniques in which the thermal properties of materials are characterised. Materials in service are subjected to extreme and fluctuating temperature conditions. As the properties and performance of materials are intimately related to the temperature, a group of thermal analysis techniques covering TGA, DSC, DTA, TMA etc… in which the physical properties of materials are measured as a function of temperature whilst the material is subjected to a controlled temperature are employed to characterise materials. Surface analysis is the study of the surface properties of materials. It is concerned with the study of the structure and binding state of the atoms on the top surface layer (< 10 nanometers). Surface Analysis are routine activities of surface inspection and is employed extensively in areas of research such as corrosion, adhesion, polymer surface treatment and microelectronics fabrication. In the module on surface analysis, the course will be focused on X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES).

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