B. Course Syllabi for Materials Engineering

1. Course Name: Mat E 433 Dielectric Materials

2. Catalog Description: Mat E 433. Dielectric Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Introduction to dielectric materials their properties and applications in capacitors, piezoelectrics and other passive devices. Theory of dielectrics, polarization, ferroelectrics. Materials for electro-optic applications. Thin and thick films, devices and bulk dielectric materials. Nonmajor graduate credit.

3. Prerequisites: Mat E 331.

4 Textbook/Materials: Electroceramics, Moulson and Herbert, Chapman and Hall, 1990.

5. Course Learning Objectives:
The student will:

• Be able to categorize the different types of dielectrics and discuss their applications.
• Be able to explain the mechanisms by which an electric field interacts with materials.
• Be able to apply these principles to explain various dielectric phenomena.
• Be able to apply these principles to explain various dielectric phenomena.
• Be able to design a device taking into consideration processing conditions, microstructure, and operating environment.
• Be able to explain mechanisms by which light interacts with materials.
• Be able to evaluate different electro-optic materials.

6. Topics Covered:
PART I. Introduction to dielectrics (4 weeks)

• Global perspective - market profile, applications of dielectrics.
• Dielectric phenomena - fundamentals of dielectrics, Clausius-Mosotti relationship.
• Polarization - polarization mechanisms, complex dielectric constant, Debye equations.
• Ferroelectricity - phase transitions, Curie-Weiss behavior, Landau-Ginzburg theory.

PART II. Applications of dielectrics (8 weeks)

• Capacitors - EIA specifications, temperature coefficient of capacitance, dopants.
• Capacitor applications - X7R capacitors, multilayers, high energy storage, microwaves.
• Non-stoichiometry in dielectrics - defect chemistry, oxide conductors, nitrogen fire capacitors, dielectric failure.
• Insulators - dielectric breakdown, low K dielectrics, microelectronic packaging.
• Piezoelectrics - crystal physics/tensor algebra, composite design, electrostriction.
• Piezoelectric applications - sensors, transducers, hard/soft properties, pyroelectrics.
• Thin and thick film dielectrics - processing techniques, dimensionality effects.
• Thin and thick film applications - DRAM/FRAM devices, decoupling capacitors, MEMS.

PART III. Electro-optic applications (2 weeks)

• Electro-optic phenomena - fundamentals, absorption spectra, color, birefringence.
• Electro-optic materials - optical fibers, liquid crystals, PLZT shutters/modulators.
• Other applications - phosphor materials, lasers, optical memory devices.

7. Class Schedule: MWF 9.

8. Professional Component: Mat E 433 contributes 3 credits towards Engineering Topics.

9. Relationship of Course to Program Learning Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives: Objectives: A, E Outcomes: a, e, i, l-n (significant), c, h (moderate)

10. Prepared by: David Cann and Kristen Constant, 2/7/00, rev. 5/24/00 KPC