X-Git-Url: https://git.ucc.asn.au/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=thesis%2Fchapters%2FIntroduction.tex~;h=42e49e840648daa719e412e401d9b536fed6c0d6;hb=ddcdd43bf4077f35beefc59eb8568e13b6c5b3cd;hp=e591894aad42166d4e2fcc67687a3c2bcf430cbf;hpb=5545f4fe8caf6b12a140ebf9c33ed0b1755b1750;p=matches%2Fhonours.git diff --git a/thesis/chapters/Introduction.tex~ b/thesis/chapters/Introduction.tex~ index e591894a..42e49e84 100644 --- a/thesis/chapters/Introduction.tex~ +++ b/thesis/chapters/Introduction.tex~ @@ -5,13 +5,16 @@ Motivation: \begin{itemize} \item The properties of solids can be understood in terms of an infinite periodic lattice - \item In reality, every solid must have a finite spatial extent. The - \item Thin films can have extremely complicated and interesting properties. + \item In reality, every solid must have a finite spatial extent. The surface is extremely important because it is the interface for all physical/chemical interactions with the solid and its environment. + \item Thin films can have extremely complicated and interesting properties. \item The characterisation of thin films is important research in electronics as the surface to volume ratio increases. - \item Most recent research has been into completely new technologies which exploit the p + \item Most recent research has been into constructing ``meta-materials'' which can be exploited for nanoscale applications. Eg: plasmonic based circuitry. \item Somehow link to metallic-black films (?) \end{itemize} + +\emph{More about metallic-black films} + So called metallic-black films are the result of deposition of metal elements at a relatively high pressure (of the order of $10^{-2}$ mbar). The films are named due to their high absorbance at visible wavelengths; they appear black to the naked eye. There is a remarkable contrast between such films and films deposited under low pressure (less than $10^{-6}$mbar), which are typically highly reflective and brightly coloured. % First mentions and early research; Pfund