Handbook

In this course students will learn the principles and applications of the main methods employed in the characterisation of the composition and structure of materials including specimen preparation, crystallography and diffraction, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, image analysis and microstructural quantification. Emphasis is placed on the applicability of each technique to appropriate analysis and the limitations of each method.
The course is completed as weekly lectures, self-learning online activities, and in-person laboratory classes. The first half of the course (Weeks 1-6) will provide a fundamental understanding of crystallography, diffraction, and electron microscopy (taught with MATS2003). The second half of the course presents advanced topics in diffraction, electron microscopy, and spectroscopy. This course is also suitable for science and engineering students who need basic understanding and practical skills in the
characterisation of materials.