PhD Courses in Denmark

To give the students knowledge of the atomic-scale physics prevailing at the interface between solid and gas/liquid phases. This is of fundamental importance if you want to understand technologically important processes, e.g. catalysis, adhesion, tribology, and mechanical and chemical properties of new nanomaterials. The course aims at giving the students an overview of the most applied methods and an introduction to how these can be used to study realistic problems within the surface physics area. The students will also be given classes in how to write proposals and gaining insight into innovative aspects especially with the goal of initiating spin-off companies. An important part of this course is to combine the acquired knowledge with phenomena in energy conversion, formulating scientific questions based on critical review of relevant literature and eventually writing a proposal for funding such projects based on relevant calls.

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

• Explain phenomena which are responsible for the structure and composition of surfaces
• Explain the physical phenomena which are responsible for adsorption on surfaces.
• Explain general tendencies in surface reactivity and surface energy.
• Analyze nanoparticle structure and stability under vacuum and in reactive atmospheres
• Analyze catalytic processes by simple models.
• Explain the most important catalytical processes and describe the most significant technical obstacles.
• Explain how nanoparticles in the future may provide solutions for future energy production.
• Explain in detail the principles of methods for surface analysis, and why they are surface sensitive.
• Identifying the most relevant processes relevant for achieving a fossil free society
• Identify the most important steps in an innovative process for starting a spin-off company.
• Identifying the most important steps in formulating a proposal.
• Evaluate the different methods and processes that need to be included in a proposal

Quantum mechanical description of the physics and chemistry of clean surfaces, including the electronic and structural properties. Description of electron structure of adsorbates of the surface, epitaxy, adsorption/desorption mechanisms, chemisorption and the dynamics of chemical and physical reactions. Description of the prerequisite for experimental studies of these surfaces under well-defined conditions - this is ultra-high vacuum (UHV) with base pressures below 10E-13 bar. The most popular methods, e.g. x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), electron microscopy (EM) and scanning probe microscopy (AFM and STM) will also be described. Furthermore, fundamental aspects of heterogeneous catalysis especially in connection with the future energy production will be analysed. All the above-mentioned methods will be discussed by use of a combination of lectures, exciting new research and application papers. Lectures on innovation processes and proposal writing. A visit to the industry is also enclosed.