Thin films: technology, physics and applications I

Thin and ultra-thin films and nanostructures made of thin films are of great interest from both fundamental and application point of view. This interest is stimulated by the unique properties of thin-film structures whose dimensions approach two-dimensional or even one-dimensional limits. Each step towards lower dimensions requires not only exponentially rising time and great efforts for development and optimization of technological procedures but meets new phenomena that are not visible in structures of higher dimensions. The focus of the TPA-I course, which is practice-oriented, is done on - technology (deposition and patterning) of thin-film nanostructures; - methods and techniques for characterization of the material, geometrical, electrical, optical properties of thin superconducting films and nanostructures; - physical backgrounds of influence of geometry on normal and superconducting state properties of thin-film superconducting nanostructures which are the key element of detectors of single photons.