NanoCharM is a cooperation of eight European organisations and is an
EU-Project founded in the 7th framework program. The goal of this
European collaboration is to establish and enhance ellipsometry

Ellipsometry

Ellipsometry is an optical technique for the investigation of the dielectric properties of thin films....

 and
polarimetry

Polarimetry

Polarimetry is the measurement and interpretation of the polarization of transverse waves, most notably electromagnetic waves, such as radio or light waves...

 as a measurement tool.

The partners

Italy	CNR-IMIP Bari (Coordinator)
Early Modern France	CNRS Palaiseu Paris
Austria	University Linz
Czech Republic	University Brno
Germany	ISAS Berlin
Serbia	Institute of Physics, Belgrade
United Kingdom	Institute of Nanotechnology, Stirling, Scotland, UK
Early Modern France	Horiba Jobin Yvon

Projects and goals

Ellipsometry

Ellipsometry

Ellipsometry is an optical technique for the investigation of the dielectric properties of thin films....

 and polarimetry

Polarimetry

Polarimetry is the measurement and interpretation of the polarization of transverse waves, most notably electromagnetic waves, such as radio or light waves...

are methods to characterize samples
according to their optical properties and composition. The measurements
do not influence or destroy the samples and are calculated in real-time
experiments. Therefore these methods are suitable for characterizing
samples in-situ and to further monitor the growth process.

The NanoCharM project aims to strengthen the collaboration of users
(scientific and industrial) and their needs with the manufacturers of
ellipsometers.

For this reason, the NanoCharM consortium is organising annual summer
and winter schools during the three years of the project (from
1 January 2008 until 31 December 2010). Additionally, a website has been
established to act as a platform for all users. The website
provides news, a collection of literature, databases, a virtual lab and a
forum for discussion.