Program Overview

Metrology Course Description

The Metrology course deals with the concept of measuring in different domains, particularly in the electrical, optical, and microscale domains. The course will end with a perspective on quantum measurements, which could trigger the ultimate revolution in metrology.

Course Content

The course introduces the concept of precision, accuracy, and resolution early on, with an embedded course on statistics providing the basics required to understand how proper measurements ought to be performed. Subsequently, the course covers electrical, optical, and mechanical metrology techniques, dealing with intrinsic and extrinsic limitations of the measurement.

Syllabus

• Classical metrology
• Basic statistics
• Electrical metrology
• Optical microscopy
• Optical imaging
• AFM
• SEM
• Quantum metrology

Keywords

Accuracy, precision, resolution, reproducibility, reliability, fidelity of the measurement

Learning Prerequisites

• Required courses: Basic mathematics/physics
• Recommended courses: Design of experiments

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Develop measurement setups that yield reproducible results
• Analyze the accuracy and precision of a measurement for a certain resolution
• Interpret the quality of data from measurements

Transversal Skills

• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching Methods

Ex cathedra, exercises, and homeworks, with Q&A during lectures.

Expected Student Activities

In-class presence and active participation are strongly encouraged.

Assessment Methods

Self-assessment (ungraded homework, exercise session); final exam during exam sessions.

Supervision

• Office hours: Yes
• Assistants: Yes

Resources

• Notes/Handbook: On Moodle, handouts of the current year.

Prerequisite for

MICRO-429 Metrology Practicals

In the Programs

The Metrology course is part of the following programs:

• Microengineering, Master semester 2
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Microengineering, Master semester 4
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Quantum Science and Engineering, Master semester 2
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Quantum Science and Engineering, Master semester 4
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Computational and Quantitative Biology, Doctoral School
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Microengineering minor, Spring semester
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Minor in Imaging, Spring semester
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Minor in Quantum Science and Engineering, Spring semester
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional
• Space technologies minor, Spring semester
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Metrology
  • Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: Optional

Reference Week

The course schedule is as follows: | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 8-9 | | | | |
| 9-10 | | | | |
| 10-11 | | | | |
| 11-12 | | | | |
| 12-13 | | | | |
| 13-14 | | | | |
| 14-15 | | | | |
| 15-16 | | | | |
| 16-17 | | | | |
| 17-18 | | | | |
| 18-19 | | | | |
| 19-20 | | | | |
| 20-21 | | | | |
| 21-22 | | | | |

Related Courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch.