PHY.03142.02 - Polymer Physics (Complete module description)

PHY.03142.02 - Polymer Physics (Complete module description)

Original version English
PHY.03142.02 15 CP
Module label Polymer Physics
Module code PHY.03142.02
Semester of first implementation
Faculty/Institute Institut für Physik
Module used in courses of study / semesters
  • Applied Polymer Science (MA120 LP) (Master) > Materialwissenschaft App. Polymer ScienceMA120, Version of accreditation valid from WS 2007/08 > Pflichtmodule
  • Polymer Materials Science (MA120 LP) (Master) > Werkstofftechnik PolymerMaterialScMA120, Version of accreditation (WS 2009/10 - SS 2014) > Pflichtmodule
Responsible person for this module
Further responsible persons
Prof. Dr. Thomas Thurn-Albrecht
Prerequisites
Skills to be acquired in this module
  • acquintance with the fundamental concepts of experimental polymer physics
  • learning and applying the theoretical fundamentals and the experimental physical methods used to characterize and investigate polymer materials
  • gaining practical experience with basic methods in experimental polymer physics
  • understanding the properties of polymer surfaces
  • knowledge of methods and technologies to modify and analyse polymer surfaces
Module contents
Lectures:
1. Introduction to Polymer Physics
  • chain molecules in solutions and melts (description of chain molecules, chain models, excluded volume interaction, semidilute solutions, screening, structure factor)
  • mechanical properties of polymer melts (viscoelasticity, Debye-relaxation, relaxation processes in polymer melts, flow behavior, dynamic and thermic glass transition, nonlinear effects)
  • microscopic models for polymer dynamics (diffusion, Rouse model, reptation)
  • solid polymers (rubber elasticity, semicrystalline polymers and crystallization)
  • blends and block copolymers (Flory-Huggins theory, spinodal decomposition, block copolymers and self assembly)
  • outlook: polymers in nature
2. Experimental Methods of Polymer Physics
  • scattering techniques (X-ray, light and neutron scattering)
  • relaxation spectroscopy (dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopy)
  • calorimetry (DSC, TMDSC)
  • spectroscopy (IR, Raman, NMR)
  • microscopy (light-, electron- and scanning force microscopy)
3. Surface Science
  • surface vs. Bulk
  • surface composition and ordering
  • dynamic surface processes (adsorption, desorption, diffusion)
  • surface tension
  • surface analysis (XPS, SIMS, SEM, AFM)
  • surface modification by deposition (wet processes, dry processes, CVD, PE-CVD, PVD), polymer film growth
  • surface modification by ablation (wet and dry etching)
  • surface funtionalization (Grafting, plasma treatments)
  • polymer in lithography
  • technical applications for surface modification
4. Lab Course:
Experimental Polymer Physics Lab
(6 experiments, each consisting of 2x4 contact hours)
  • rheology/mechanical spectroscopy
  • dielectric spectroscopy
  • DSC
  • polarization microscopy/strain birefringence
  • infrared spectroscopy
  • low-field NMR
  • wide-angle X-ray scattering
Forms of instruction Practical training (4 SWS)
Lecture (3 SWS)
Lecture (2 SWS)
Lecture (2 SWS)
Seminar (2 SWS)
Course
Languages of instruction German, English
Duration (semesters) 1 Semester Semester
Module frequency jedes Sommersemester
Module capacity unrestricted
Time of examination
Credit points 15 CP
Share on module final degree Course 1: %; Course 2: %; Course 3: %; Course 4: %; Course 5: %; Course 6: %.
Share of module grade on the course of study's final grade 1
Module course label Course type Course title SWS Workload of compulsory attendance Workload of preparation / homework etc Workload of independent learning Workload (examination and preparation) Sum workload
Course 1 Practical training Lab Course Experimental Polymer Physics 4 0
Course 2 Lecture Lecture Introduction to Polymer Physics 3 0
Course 3 Lecture Lecture Experimental Methods of Polymer Physics 2 0
Course 4 Lecture Lecture Surface Science 2 0
Course 5 Seminar Seminars on Introduction to Polymer Physics and Experimental Methods of Polymer Physics 2 0
Course 6 Course Private Study 0
Workload by module 450 450
Total module workload 450
Examination Exam prerequisites Type of examination
Course 1
Course 2
Course 3
Course 4
Course 5
Course 6
Final exam of module
completion of lab course protocols; seminar problem set solutions; 3 final written examinations
oral examination
Exam repetition information
Prerequisites and conditions Prerequisites Frequency Compulsory attendance Share on module grade in percent
Course 1 Summer semester No %
Course 2 Summer semester No %
Course 3 Summer semester No %
Course 4 Summer semester No %
Course 5 Summer semester No %
Course 6 Summer semester No %