Course Syllabus
Aims
The course deals with the physical principles of the properties of molecular semiconductors. Molecular crystals and quantum mechanic origins of the intermolecular forces. Carbon-based policonjugated systems: anisotropy, low-dimensional properties. Polymeric semiconductors.
Contents
ELECTRONIC STATES OF POLICONJUGATED MOLECULES AND POLYMERS.
EXCITED STATES IN MOLECULAR CRYSTALS.
ELECTROLUMINESCENCE AND LED DEVICES.
ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS.
MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS AND PHOTONICS.
Detailed program
ELECTRONIC STATES OF POLICONJUGATED MOLECULES AND POLYMERS: Free-electron model, Hueckel’s model. Band structure of conjugated polymers. Monoelectronic approximation: Su-Shrieffer-Heeger hamiltonian. Electron-phonon interaction and Peierls’ gap. Solitons, polarons, bipolarons. Electronic correlation: Hubbard’s Hamiltonian.
LINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES: Absorption and emission of conjugated molecules. Einstein’s coefficients
and Strickler-Berg’s formula. Singlets and triplets. Optical spectra
calculation with the “tight binding” method. Calculation of transition matrix
elements. Kasha’s rule. Non radiative processes. Lifetimes. Photoluminescence
quantum efficiency and its measurement.
EXCITED STATES IN MOLECULAR CRYSTALS: Excited states in molecular aggregates: excitons classification (Frenkel, charge-transfer, Wannier). Delocalization and binding-energy: comparison between organic and inorganic materials. Calculation of the exciton energy. Davydov splitting. Exciton generation mechanisms. Exciton mobility. Coherent and incoherent energy transfer. Foerster’s and Dexter’s energy transfer. Photonics antenna.
ELECTROLUMINESCENCE AND LED DEVICES: Architecture of a prototype device and energetic levels diagram. Injection and charge transport. Exciton generation and recombination. Microcavities.
Prerequisites
This course requires a good knowledge of quantum physics (time-independent and time-dependent Schroedinger Equations, perturbation theory, Fermi golden rule), structure of matter (atoms, molecules and solids) and some basic knowledge of organic chemistry.
Teaching form
Lectures
During the Covid-19 emergency, the lectures will be available only in remote mode. The recorded lectures will be uploaded according to the course time schedule on the e-learning platform. Upon request, online meetings will be organized on the Webex platform to discuss the lectures contents.
Textbook and teaching resource
T. A. Skotheim, "Handbook of Conducting Polymers"
J. M. André et. al.," Quantum chemistry aided design of organic polymers"
M. Pope C. E. Swenberg, "Electronic processes in organic crystals"
Several review articles supplied by the lecturer
Semester
2nd SEMESTER
Assessment method
Oral test aimed to verify the capability of the students i) to model and
discuss the properties of organic molecules and materials; ii) to analyze the
optical end electrical processes occurring in this class of materials; iii) to
describe the operation, peculiarities and limits of the electronic and photonic
organic devices.
During the Covid-19 emergency, examinations will be performed
in remote mode with the Webex application. The link to the examination meeting room will be published
on the e-learning platform, thus any audience can follow freely the
examinations.
Office hours
By appointment (also online by the Webex application)
Key information
Staff
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Angelo Maria Monguzzi