Nanoscale Technology
In this course you will study the physics behind nanotechnology. You will learn about research within the field as well as development of processes and materials within micro/nanotechnology.
Microelectronics has had tremendous development during last decades broadening the field of applications in many directions. Miniaturization is a driving force for an astounding progress of microelectronics. For the last four decades the undergoing technical revolution in microelectronics is well described by “Moore’s law”, according to which, every 3 years a new generation of integrated circuits appears, in which the number of components on the chip increases 4 times (or doubles every 18 months). Such a remarkable rate of miniaturization was demanded by industry, because the reduction of dimensions went hand-in-hand with an increase in performance and a decrease in the cost of the device. Modern integrated circuits may contain several milliards transistors with a minimum feature size less than 100 nanometers (0.1 micrometers). This would not have been possible without development of thin film technology, nanoprocessing, and material science. A great many sophisticated instruments and techniques, developed to process and characterize thin films and surfaces, have already become indispensable in virtually every research area and high-tech industry. While the major exploitation of thin films is associated with microelectronics, there are numerous and growing novel applications in communication, optical electronics, energetics, coating, data storage, etc. The existing microtechnology is approaching its physical limit and major technological breakthroughs in terms of processes and materials will be required in a near future, as device sizes decrease below ~45 nm, ie., in a new-born area of nanoelectronics. Further development requires a continuous search for new materials advanced methods of deposition, nanoprocessing and characterization of thin films. This challenging task would require specialists with a full knowledge of a huge experience, accumulated in microfabrication technique and in related material and fundamental research areas.
The course aims at giving a basic knowledge of various micro/nano fabrication processes, thin film materials, characterization techniques and emerging applications used in modern micro/nano-electronics, optics and micromachining. The goal is to learn material science aspects and physical principles of nanoscale technology, which will help students to understand the link between Processing-Structure-Properties-Performance of thin film devices and to be capable of choosing proper materials, deposition and characterization techniques for a given task. The course will make an overview over an actual research and development and most recent trends in nanoscale technology and will provide a basis for further studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, diploma work and professional preparation.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department
Everyone admitted to a course in Physics will receive a welcome letter with important information from us via e-mail. If you have not receive an e-mail by mid-January, please contact our Academic advisor! Unfold and read more.
Roll-call
Courses at the Department of Physics do not have a roll-call. Instead the course starts with the first lecture.
Registration
After being admitted to a course, you must register to confirm that you are starting your studies. For most of our courses this can be done online using your university account. Registration normally opens two weeks before the course starts and you must have registered at the latest one week after. If you have any problems with registration, contact our Student office. Contact details can be found below.
Click here to register online.
Learning platform
Most of the courses in physics use the Athena learning platform. Once registered, the course should appear automatically in Athena. If you cannot find the course, contact the course coordinator. If the course uses a different website, you can find the link further down on this web page.
Conditionally admitted
If you are conditionally admitted to a course at our department you need to contact our Academic advisor before you can register. Contact us as soon as possible, well before the course starts. Contact details are found further down on this web page.
Applicants on waiting list
Are you placed on a waiting list to any of our courses? You will always be contacted via e-mail if you are offered a place. Normaly we will not admit new students if more than 1 week has passed after the first lecture.
Find the Departmend of Physics
Most of the physics courses are held in the AlbaNova building, located between the Frescati campus and the Royal Institute of Technology (Tekniska högskolan, KTH). Courses in medical radiation physics are sometimes held at Campus Karolinska Hospital. A few of our physics courses are also given in collaboration with KTH or other departments. If this is the case it is clearly stated further down on this web page.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
Microelectronics has had tremendous development during last decades broadening the field of applications in many directions. Miniaturization is a driving force for an astounding progress of microelectronics. For the last four decades the undergoing technical revolution in microelectronics is well described by “Moore’s law”, according to which, every 3 years a new generation of integrated circuits appears, in which the number of components on the chip increases 4 times (or doubles every 18 months). Such a remarkable rate of miniaturization was demanded by industry, because the reduction of dimensions went hand-in-hand with an increase in performance and a decrease in the cost of the device. Modern integrated circuits may contain several milliards transistors with a minimum feature size less than 100 nanometers (0.1 micrometers). This would not have been possible without development of thin film technology, nanoprocessing, and material science. A great many sophisticated instruments and techniques, developed to process and characterize thin films and surfaces, have already become indispensable in virtually every research area and high-tech industry. While the major exploitation of thin films is associated with microelectronics, there are numerous and growing novel applications in communication, optical electronics, energetics, coating, data storage, etc. The existing microtechnology is approaching its physical limit and major technological breakthroughs in terms of processes and materials will be required in a near future, as device sizes decrease below ~45 nm, ie., in a new-born area of nanoelectronics. Further development requires a continuous search for new materials advanced methods of deposition, nanoprocessing and characterization of thin films. This challenging task would require specialists with a full knowledge of a huge experience, accumulated in microfabrication technique and in related material and fundamental research areas.
The course aims at giving a basic knowledge of various micro/nano fabrication processes, thin film materials, characterization techniques and emerging applications used in modern micro/nano-electronics, optics and micromachining. The goal is to learn material science aspects and physical principles of nanoscale technology, which will help students to understand the link between Processing-Structure-Properties-Performance of thin film devices and to be capable of choosing proper materials, deposition and characterization techniques for a given task. The course will make an overview over an actual research and development and most recent trends in nanoscale technology and will provide a basis for further studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, diploma work and professional preparation.
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Course structure
This is a second cycle course. This course can also be taken as a third cycle course.
The course will be given in English.
Teaching format
The teaching and learning activities are lectures, exercises, and mandatory laboratory sessions.
Assessment
The examination consists of a written exam as well as reports of home work problems and a litterature project.
Examiner
Vladimir Krasnov
Phone: +468 553 786 06
E-mail: krasnov@fysik.su.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
The Materials Science of Thin Films by Milton Ohring
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Course reports
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Contact
Course coordinator and teacher:
Vladimir Krasnov, phone: +468 553 786 06, e-mail: krasnov@fysik.su.seCourse assistant:
Razmik Hovhannisyan, phone: +46 736974069, e-mail: razmik.hovhannisyan@fysik.su.seTaras Golod, phone: +468 553 786 11, e-mail: golod@fysik.su.se
Academic advisor at the Department of Physics: studievagledare@fysik.su.se
Student office: studentexp@fysik.su.se