Laboratory for Thin Films - Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN)

http://ltfn.physics.auth.gr

The Laboratory for Thin Films - Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN) is established at the Physics Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). It has an experience of over 20 years in Thin films Technology, Fabrication of inorganic, organic and hybrid nanostructured materials, Developing/Deploying in-situ & real-time monitoring techniques and in Nanometrology. LTFN programs strive to interact with Academia, Research Institutes and Organizations and Industry and to transfer its technology to scientific and industrial users and developers and provide excellently educated graduates and research associates to society.

The main research activities of the LTFN are focused on the following topics:

Thin Films & Nanosystems Fabrication: Thin films, Multilayers deposition & Microfabrication with various PVD and wet techniques , Surface Modification and Materials Surface Treatment with ion beams and UV treatment, Vacuum Systems Design & Process control

Flexible Organic Electronics: Development of organic semiconductors & conductors by wet methods, development of barrier layers by PVD techniques. Investigation of optical, electrical, structural properties of the organic semiconductors & conductors and charge transport mechanisms

Plasma Treatment & Surface Engineering: Ion beam processes, Surface preparation & Dry Cleaning, Materials Surface Treatment with ion beams

Optical Technology & Nanometrology: In-situ and real-time monitoring of Thin film growth and Plasma & Cleaning, Non-destructive characterization & Nanometrology applications, Ellipsometry & Optical Scattering Instrumentation & Measurements, Diagnostic imaging & nanoparticles

Nanostuctural & Nanomechanical Properties: Characterization & Modelling of the surface nanotopography of thin films by SPM methods (AFM, SNOM), Investigation of the materials structure and crystallinity by X-Ray methods (XRR, XRD, X-Ray Diffusion Scattering), Investigation of the Nanomechanical properties of Thin films by NanoIndentation methods, Analysis of their nanomechanical response by theoretical methods. Surface properties investigation by Contact Angle Measurements.

Nanobiotechnology & Nanomedicine: Adsorption of biological factors (proteins, DNA, enzymes, etc.) onto nanostructured surfaces, Investigation of the adsorption mechanisms by optical (Spectroscopic Ellipsometry), and surface measurements (AFM, SNOM, Contact Angle), Surface Bio-Functionalization by ion and UV treatment, Cytotoxicity, Cell adhesion and proliferation of nanomaterials in different physical forms (Cell Lab facility).

Modeling & Software: Thin films growth & Etching processes, Optimization of growth parameters, Ion beam process, Micro and Nano machining, Optical - Electronic - Mechanical behavior of materials and microsystems.

LTFN covers a wide Spectrum of applications of Technologies in the era:

Flexible organic electronics: flexible organic light emitting diodes-OLEDs for displays & lighting, flexible organic photovoltaic cells-OPVs, flexible circuits, organic photodetectors, Radio Frequency Identification Tags-RFID

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Nanomaterials, Ion processes, Nanotubes, Nanoparticles, SAMs, Nanoelectronics, Nanomechanics

Information Technology: Organic Electronics, Micro-electronics, Optoelectronics & Optics, Storage and Displays, Micro - fabrication, Micro- technologies

Renewable Energy Resources: Organic Photovoltaic Cells (OPVs), OPV & PV materials, PV device design & simulations, Solar thermal materials & systems, Photometric measurements

Nanobiotechnology & Nanomedicine: Protein, Enzyme, DNA adsorption onto nanostructured surfaces, surface treatment to induce/enhance biocompatibility, optical, structural, surface and cytocompatibility characterization of biomaterials, nanocoatings for applications in Nanomedicine (stents, orthopaedic implants, contact lenses, biosensors etc).

Based on its long expertise on Thin Film Technology, Optical diagnostics and Nanometrology, the LTFN operates as a Centre of Excellence and can provide services & know-how transfer to Academia, Research Institutes and Industry on:

- Fabrication of Nanomaterials and Microsystems (for Optical, Photovoltaic, Optoelectronics, Electronic, Protective, Decorative, Catalytic and Biomedical applications)

- Thin films and coatings technology of Metals, Semiconductors, Insulators, Nitrides, Oxides and Polymers

- Flexible Organic Electronic Devices, Organic semiconductors & conductors, barrier materials for encapsulation of Flexible Organic Electronic Devices

- Design of vacuum chambers, Smart optical sensing systems (adapted to process) and non-destructive techniques

- High performance in-situ monitoring thin films growth and various processes.

- Non-destructive optical characterization of thin films, coatings, nano- and bulk materials

- Microstructural and nanomechanical characterization of thin films, coatings and bulk materials

- Development of software and algorithms for process control, prediction of operational function and properties of thin films and microsystems

-.Design and simulations of Optical - PV & Solar materials and systems

Training of graduates, post-graduates and research scientists in the following subjects:

- Technologies for fabrication and characterization of novel inorganic, organic and hybrid materials and microsystems

- New techniques for metrology, analysis, examination, quality evaluation of material properties

- Methods and measurements for certification of materials properties - interrelation with product and manufacturing demands

The training and educational activity at the LTFN includes:

- Carrying out work for a Thesis (under-graduate, post-graduate or Doctoral degree)

- Short courses and seminars for practicing physicists and engineers on various subjects in the areas of thin film technology, characterization, metrology and computational techniques