27481 - Spectroscopy of Materials

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student understands the principles governing radiation-matter interaction processes and the fundamentals for interpreting absorption and emission spectra of various kinds. They learn the quantum-mechanical foundations of spectroscopic techniques and acquire skills in correlating spectral features with molecular properties of interest.

Course contents

General Concepts for Spectroscopy

Electromagnetic Radiation:

• Interaction of light with matter
• Time-dependent perturbation theory
• Absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation by molecular species
• Einstein transition probabilities
• Population of energy levels
• Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

Rotational Spectroscopy:

• Classical and quantum treatment of rotational motion
• Pure rotational spectra
• Selection rules
• Population of levels and spectral structure
• Intensity of rotational transitions
• Overview of asymmetric rotators
• Centrifugal distortion
• Description of rotational spectroscopy instrumentation

Vibrational Spectroscopy:

• Introduction to the theory behind infrared (IR) and Raman vibrational spectroscopies
• Examples of analyses using these techniques
• From the treatment of vibrations using the simple harmonic oscillator model to the analysis of spectra of more complex molecules, introducing the concept of group frequencies
• Description of vibrational spectroscopy instrumentation: FT-IR, ATR, Raman spectrometers, and microspectrometers

Electronic Spectroscopy (UV-Vis):

• Electronic transitions
• Electronic spectra of atoms
• Franck-Condon principle and vibronic transitions
• Electronic spectra of polyatomic molecules
• Chromophores
• Fate of electronically excited states: non-radiative decay, radiative decay including fluorescence and phosphorescence
• Description of electronic spectroscopy instrumentation

Applications of Spectroscopic Techniques:

• Study of the atmosphere, astrophysics, solid state, materials, and cultural heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

- Spectroscopy for Materials Characterization / Simonpietro Agnello (Editor), 2021.

- J. M. Brown, Molecular Spectroscopy, Oxford University Press, 1998.

- Materials Characterization: Introduction to Microscopic and Spectroscopic Methods / Leng, Yang, Wiley-Vch, 2013.

- Molecular spectroscopy / Jeanne L. McHale. Second edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2017.

- Slides e note del docente

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures (using an electronic whiteboard with a video projector) and practical laboratory exercises. The results obtained in each experiment are discussed in the laboratory and in the classroom and are recorded by each student in written reports that constitute the laboratory notebook. Attendance of the laboratory module is mandatory.

Assessment methods

The final exam for the integrated course of Materials Characterization will focus on the topics of "Microscopy with Laboratory" and "Materials Spectroscopy" modules. As for the topics covered in the module "Materials Spectroscopy", the evaluation exam will be in a form of an oral exam consisting of three questions on topics covered during the course by the two teachers and one on a topic chosen by the student. The final grade of the integrated course will be calculated by the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two modules. To pass the integrated course, it is necessary to exceed 18/30 in both modules.

Teaching tools

Classroom teaching activities use aids such as slide projections and a blackboard. The teaching materials presented during the lessons are made accessible to the students. The laboratory activities are conducted in teaching and research laboratories, equipped with the necessary materials for conducting experimental activities.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or disabilities can contact the University of Bologna's Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD, the departmental coordinator, or the course instructor to agree on the most suitable ways to access the teaching materials, attend classroom lectures, and arrange examination methods.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Tommaso Salzillo

See the website of Luca Bizzocchi