• What Brock calendar entry says:
  
  • Introduction to the physics, theory of operation, and data analysis approaches of experimental materials physics characterization techniques.
  
  

• Prerequisite(s)
  • Students must have enrolled in PHYS 5P79 or obtain the instructor's permission.
  
  

• What does student need to bring into the course?
  • A foundational understanding of physics principles will be advantageous. Students should review basic concepts related to materials properties, including magnetic properties, electric properties, thermal properties, and surface and composition characteristic. While the course covers the fundamental theoretical concepts underlying the measurement of material properties, a comprehensive exposition of which will be provided in PHYS 5P79. However, it is imperative to emphasize the significance of attaining a profound comprehension of these concepts. As a result, students are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the course syllabus. This facilitates an understanding of the subject matter's focal points, designated tasks, and anticipated outcomes. This proactive approach will allow students to synchronize their preparatory efforts effectively.
  
  

• Course Goals

  The primary goal of the course PHYS 5P83 is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underlying experimental techniques used to characterize the physical and structural properties of materials. This includes:

  • Physics Fundamentals: The course aims to establish a solid foundation in the physics principles that govern material behavior, enabling students to comprehend how materials respond to various measurement techniques.
  
  
  • Theory of Operation: Students will gain insight into the operational principles of different characterization and measurement techniques. Understanding how these techniques work is crucial for accurate data acquisition and interpretation.
  
  
  • Material Properties: By the end of the course, students should be able to correlate the observed experimental results with specific material properties, such as magnetic, electric, thermal, morphological, and compositional attributes.
  
  
  • Critical Thinking: Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills that enable them to establish meaningful connections between experimental observations and the theoretical framework capable of providing explanations for those observations.
  
  

  Ultimately, the course aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively employ experimental materials physics characterization techniques, thereby preparing them for further studies in materials science, research, or related fields.

  
  
• Textbook

  Considering the diverse range of topics that will be addressed within this course, the following references are provided:

  • "The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction", by Christopher Hammond, Fourth Edition, Oxford Science Publications
  
  
  • "Introduction to Solid State Physics", by Charles Kittel, Eighth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc
  
  
  • "Physics of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials", by K. H. J. Buschow, and F. R. De Boer, Kluwer Academic Publishers
  
  
  • "Magnetism and Magnetic Materials", by J. M. D. Coey, Cambridge University Press
  
  

• Communication with the Instructor
  • your instructor operates with an open-door policy, allowing you to seek one-on-one assistance and ask questions at any time, except during restricted hours.

This is a provisional list, drawn from past experience. Overtime, some topics may be omitted, while others might be introduced on yearly basis.

• Fundamental of X-Ray Diffraction
  
  
  • Crystals and crystal structures
  • Basis, Bravais lattice, and crystal structure
  • Simple crystal structures
  
  
  • The Diffraction of X-Ray
  • Bragg's law
  • Scherrer equation
  • Intensity and structure factor
  • Lattice strain and diffraction peak
  
  
  • Rietveld Refinement
  • Rietveld parameters
  • Evaluation of Rietveld analysis
  
  
  • Rigaku Smart Lab Goniometer Setup
  • Diffraction geometry
  • Instrumental source of errors

• Magnetism
  
  
  • Origin of atomic moments
  • Spin and orbital states of electrons
  • The vector model of atoms
  • Russel-Saunders coupling
  • Hund's rules
  
  
  • Diamagnetism
  • Orbital diamagnetism (Larmor precession - Lenz's law)
  • Landau diamagnetism
  
  
  • Paramagnetism
  • Classical and quantum mechanical approach
  • Brillouin function
  • Langvin theory
  • Curie law
  • Van Vleck paramagnetism
  • Pauli susceptibility
  
  
  • Ferromagnetism
  • Heisenberg exchange interaction
  • Molecular field theory
  • Magnetic anisotropy
  
  
  • Antiferromagnetism
  
  
  • Set up Configuration of Quantum Design Magnetic Properties Measurement System (MPMS)

• Heat Capacity of Solids
  
  
  • Einstein Model
  
  
  • Debye Model
  
  
  • Magnetic Contribution to Heat Capacity
  
  
  • Electronic Contribution to Heat Capacity
  
  
  • Lattice Contribution to Heat Capacity
  
  
  • Set up Configuration of Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS)

• AC Transport (ACT)
  
  
  • Magnetoresistance in Non-Magnetic Metal
  
  
  • Magnetoresistance in ferromagnetic Metal
  
  
  • Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR)
  
  
  • Colossal Magnetoresistance (CMR)
  
  
  • ACT Option

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  
  
  • Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy
  
  
  • Electron - Matter Interaction Volume
  
  
  • Key Parameters for high - Quality SEM Images
  
  
  • Unveiling Image Blur in SEM: Causes and Solution

• Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
  
  
  • Characteristic X-Ray
  
  
  • Moseley Law
  
  
  • Critical Parameters and Quantitative Analysis
  
  
  • SEM / EDS Components and Configuration

Note: Students must achieve a minimum of 60% on the final exam to successfully obtain a credit in this course.

Outlined below are the expectations and responsibilities we have for you.

• Students are required to attend all laboratory sessions and scheduled lecture according to Brock's Attendance Requirements


• All students must be familiar with and adhere to the rules outlined in Brock University's Academic Integrity Policy. Additionally, all graduate students must engage in their studies with the utmost integrity in accordance with Brock's integrity policy.


• Students bear the responsibility for their own learning. While the course is structured to provide guidance and support, the actual endeavor of mastering the course content rests with student themselves. To optimize their learning experience, it is essential to allocate time for studying and revisiting previous knowledge. Maintaining a consistent practice of reading and studying aids in cementing the acquired knowledge into their memory over the long term. This guarantees the foundation for students to further develop their knowledge and skills in their future professional endeavors.

Academic misconduct is a serious offence. The principle of academic integrity, particularly of doing one’s own work, documenting properly (including use of quotation marks, appropriate paraphrasing and referencing/citation), collaborating appropriately, and avoiding misrepresentation, is a core principle in university study. Students should consult “Academic Misconduct” section in the Undergraduate Calendar to view a fuller description of prohibited actions, and the procedures and penalties. The University takes academic misconduct extremely seriously and will follow its strict procedures to the letter in all cases.

A helpful website explains Brock's Academic Integrity Policy. Please consult it, as all students are expected to know and abide by its provisions.

Courses may use turnitin.com, a phrase-matching software, to verify originality of your submitted lab reports and written assignments. If you object to uploading your assignmentsr to turnitin.com for any reason, please notify the instructor to discuss alternative submissions.

Be aware that it is the policy of the Department of Physics that any academic misconduct including (but not limited to) possessing, using or accessing unauthorized material in any form (including online) during final exams or assessments will automatically result in zero grade for the exam. Since most courses require a minimum passing grade on the final exam to complete the course, this will likely lead to a failure in the course.

Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Physics follows the following minimum penalty guidelines for cases of academic misconduct in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS). Please be aware that the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs, may assign different penalties than those listed here, depending on the details of individual cases. Also note that cheating on exams carries significantly higher penalties.

First offence:

Zero grade on the assignment, additional penalty of 100% of the weight of the assignment to be subtracted from the final grade, mandatory completion of the AZLS Academic Integrity workshop

Second offence:

Zero grade on assignment, additional penalty of 200% of the weight of the assignment to be subtracted from the final grade, 4-month suspension

Third or additional offence:

Zero grade in the course, 1-year suspension, permanent removal from major program.

Cheating on exams:

Zero grade in the course, including for first offenses.

All slides, presentations, handouts, tests, exams, and other course materials created by the instructor in this course are the intellectual property of the instructor. A student who publicly posts or sells an instructor’s work, without the instructor’s express consent, may be charged with misconduct under Brock’s Academic Integrity Policy and/or Code of Conduct, and may also face adverse legal consequences for infringement of intellectual property rights.

Please be aware of all the important dates, such as the first/last days of classes, snow days and reading week, as well as the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty. For the current academic term, this information can be found here.

The University is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and will adhere to the Human Rights principles that ensure respect for dignity, individualized accommodation, inclusion and full participation. The University provides a wide range of resources to assist students, as follows:

1. If you require academic accommodation because of a disability or an ongoing health or mental health condition, please contact Student Accessibility Services at askSAS@brocku.ca or 905 688 5550 ext. 3240.
2. Medical Self-Declaration Forms (brief absence up to 72 hours)

   In the case of a short-term medical circumstance, if a student wishes to seek an academic consideration, please use the Medical Self-Declaration Form. The request is to be made in good faith by the student requesting the academic consideration due to a short-term condition that impacts their academic activities (e.g., participation in academic classes, delay in assignments, etc.). The period of this short-term medical condition for academic consideration must fall within a 72-hour (3 day) period. The form must be submitted to the instructor either during your brief absence or if you are too unwell, within 24 hours of the end of your 3 day brief absence.

   Medical Verification Form (extended duration)

   In cases where a student requests academic consideration due to a medical circumstance that exceeds 72 hours (three days) and will impact their academic activities (e.g., participation in academic classes, delay in assignments, etc.), or in the case of a final exam deferral, the medical verification form must be signed by the student and the health professional as per process set out in the Faculty Handbook III:9.4.1.

3. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, contact the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre. Good2Talk is a service specifically for post-secondary students, available 24/7, 365 days a year, and provides anonymous assistance. Follow the above link or call 1-866-925-5454. For information on wellness, coping and resiliency, visit: Brock University (Mental Health).
4. If you require academic accommodation on religious grounds, you should make a formal, written request to your instructor(s) for alternative dates and/or means of satisfying requirements. Such requests should be made during the first two weeks of any given academic term, or as soon as possible after a need for accommodation is known to exist.
5. If you have been affected by sexual violence, the Human Rights & Equity Office offers support, information, reasonable accommodations, and resources through the Sexual Violence Support & Education Coordinator. For information on sexual violence, visit Brock's Sexual Assault and Harassment Policy or contact the Sexual Violence Support & Response Coordinator at humanrights@brocku.ca or 905 688 5550 ext. 4387.
6. If you have experienced discrimination or harassment on any of the above grounds, including racial, gender or other forms of discrimination, contact the Human Rights and Equity Office at humanrights@brocku.ca.

For a full description of academic policies in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, consult brocku.ca/mathematics-science/