Microscopic Characterization of Materials
Mikroskopisk karaktärisering av material

KASN15F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Spring 2026
Decided by: Jens Wahlström
Date of establishment: 2025-09-15

General Information

Division: Centre for Analysis and Synthesis (CAS)
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course code: KASN15
Teaching language: English

Aim

to acquire and compile knowledge on current methods of element analysis on nanometer scale to understand the processes behind the different methods of analysis to be able to execute an analysis in practice

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to apply his/her knowledge on electron structure in order to predict properties like x-ray emission and Auger electron emission
• understand elastic and inelastic electron scattering in solid materials
• understand the principles of imaging with various methods of microscopy
• understand the working mode of different detectors

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to plan adequate preparation methods for various types of materials
• apply his/her knowledge on choosing adequate methods for analysis of certain materials
• be able to analyse images and spectra of various types of materials, both quality and quantity
• independently execute analysis according to plan

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to evaluate accuracy and precision with the various methods of analysis
• be able to explain artefacts and sources of errors
• demonstrate the ability to plan and execute analysis of unknown materials

Course Contents

* Elastic and inelastic scattering * Magnetic lenses * Principles and functions of different types of electron microscopes (TEM, SEM) * Diffraction * Contrast mechanisms for imaging * Spectrometers for element analysis, Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (XEDS), Electron energy ions spectrometer (EELS) * Identification and quantification of spectra.

Course Literature

Williams, David B. & Carter, C. Barry: Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Textbook for Materials Science. Springer Science & Business Media, 2009. ISBN 9780387765006.
Available as ebook

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, laboratory exercises, project

Examination Details

Examination formats: Oral exam, written report, seminars given by participants
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Assumed prior knowledge: Basic knowledge of optics and materials chemistry. Basic course in analysis at the nanoscale, or some practical experience of electron microscopy, is advantageous, but not a requirement.
Selection criteria: The course is together with KASN15 (for MSc students) limited to 12 participants. Priority is based on need of PhD students to start independent access to the electron microscopy facilities.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators: