PES 449 / PHYS 549 Physics of Thin Films

Spring 2000

Final Projects

Topic due: Monday, February 21

Outline due: Monday, March 20

Project due: Wednesday, May 3

Possible nature of project:

1. approx. 15 - 20 page double spaced paper (including figures)
2. computer project (but do some physics with it)
3. laboratory project
4. other (talk to me if you have an idea)

AND a 20 minute presentation to the class on your project (May 3, 8, 10)

Good starting points:

1. Ohring
2. books/articles on reserve in UCCS library
3. Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology
4. Thin Solid Films journal

Possible topic ideas for final paper:

• Discussion of analytical technique not covered in class.
  • (or greater depth on one we do cover).
• Examine a particular thin film system in some depth - review the literature.
  • Ag deposited on GaAs
  • Al deposited on Si
  • Fe/Cr/Fe multilayer structures
  • etc.
• Examine a particular application of thin film technology.
  • optical coatings (UV block, anti-reflection, reflective . . . )
  • friction and wear coatings
  • quantum well structures
  • photovoltaic devices
  • giant magnetoresistance devices for magnetic recording heads
• Discuss in more detail any of the theoretical concepts about film nucleation and/or growth which we discussed in class. (or other models which we did not cover)
• Develop computer software for examining or modeling some aspect of thin films.
• Perform some lab work and write it up.