The course comprises of approximately 130 full-time study hours, whereof 16 hours obligatory lectures and tutorials, 20 hours laboratory project and 9 hours of seminar in addition to self-studies. The lectures include basic principles atomic force microscopy, and a survey of a number of the most important AFM techniques. In this context specific instrumental aspects, sample preparation, optimization and problem solving will also be discussed.
FCK3114 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for Polymer- and Forest-based materials 5.0 credits
This course is designed to provide the background, fundamental concepts, and practical knowledge of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in its relation to polymer- and forest-based materials. Doctoral students of this course will learn from experts in the field, get hands-on experience preparing samples, operating various AFM imaging modes and analyzing AFM data. Following this course doctoral students will have a firm understanding of AFM and how it can be applied to their own research in polymer- and forest-based materials.
Information per course offering
Information for Spring 2026 Start 23 Mar 2026 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 23 Mar 2026 - 28 May 2026
- Periods
Spring 2026: P4 (5 hp)
- Pace of study
33%
- Application code
10969
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Number of places
Max: 20
- Target group
- No information inserted
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Schedule is not published
- Part of programme
- No information inserted
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus FCK3114 (Spring 2022–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus FCK3114 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course disposition
Course contents
This course is designed to provide the background, fundamental concepts, and practical knowledge of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in its relation to polymer- and forest-based materials. The course will consist of:
- The working principles and the components of atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- What information and results that can be obtained with AFM in relation to polymer- and forest-based materials
- How AFM can be utilized in applied research and/or industrial settings
- Be able to recognize common artifacts, analyze surface force measurements, interpret results with relation to surface interactions
- Design AFM experiments with relevance to own research
Intended learning outcomes
After completion of the course the doctoral student should have the knowledge and ability to
- Describe the working principles and the components of the atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Explain and differentiate between the various AFM operation modes
- Interpret, process and discuss results obtained by AFM
- Critically interpret AFM data both own and in literature with relation to polymer and forest-based materials
- Prepare samples suitable for AFM experiments
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Eligible for studies at the third-cycle level.
Recommended prerequisites
Eligible for postgraduate studies.
Literature
You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.
Examination and completion
Grading scale
P, F
Examination
- SEM1 - Seminars, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- PRO1 - Project, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- LAB1 - Laboratory work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
The examination will consist of three modules:
SEM1: attending lectures and seminars throughout the course (minimum 90% attendance on the lectures and 100% attendance on the seminars)
LAB1: participation in the laboratory lessons
PRO1: completing a project which consist of a written proposal, peer review, and a short presentation of the own proposal.
Other requirements for final grade
Passed grades on all grading modules are required to recive final grade in the course.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Education cycle
Third cycle
Supplementary information
The course has a limited number of participants (20).
Registration to the course via electronic form:
Course fee
Free for PhD students from Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology at KTH. For others, the course fee is 5000 SEK excluding VAT.
Tentative schedule for spring 2026
Monday 23/03/2026, 8:30 – 17:00 (Lectures (all), Lab (group A & B)
Tuesday 24/03/2026, 8:15 – 17:00 (Lectures (all), Lab (group C & D)
Wednesday 25/03/2026, 8:00 – 17:00 (Lab (group C & D), Lectures (all))
Thursday 26/03/2026, 8:00 – 17:00 (Lab (group A & B), Lab (group C))
Friday 27/03/2026, 8:00 – 17:00 (Lab (group B), (Lab (group A))
Monday 30/03/2026, 8:00 – 17:00 (Lab (group D), (Lab (group all))
Tuesday 31/03/2026, 8:15 – 17:00 (Lectures (all), Lab (group D)
Wednesday 01/04/2026, 8:00 – 17:00 (Lab (group B), (Lab (group C))
Thursday 09/04/2026, 9:00 – 13:00 (Lab (group A))
Thursday 28/05/2026, 10:00 – 15:00 (Seminat (all))