MEF5010 - Nanophysics
Contents and goals: Short description
Nanoscience is referred to as a research area devoted to studies of various phenomena in
small-size devices. It is a cross-disciplinary field including physics, chemistry and to
some extent biology. The heart of nanoscience is mesoscopic physics. The word ``meso''
reflects the fact that the size of the systems under consideration is located between
microscopic (atoms) and macroscopic scales. In particular, it includes the systems
dominated by elemental quantum processes – single-electron tunneling, ballistic and
single-spin transport, Coulomb blockade. Mesoscopic physics is based upon quantum
theory; it includes quantum mechanics and statistics of interacting particles, physics of
irreversible processes, physics of random systems, etc. At present time, mesoscopic
physics - both experimental and theoretical - is a research topic of the majority of
research groups at many universities and high-tech companies.
The course aims at an introduction to basic principles of nanophysics allowing working
in research and development in nanotechnology. Students will learn basic principle of
physics of nanometer-size systems with a focus on basic physical phenomena. In addition
to elucidating the basic theoretical concepts, main application to existing and future
electronics, including devices for realization of quantum computation algorithms, will be
discussed.
Curriculum
Introduction
Why do we need nanometer-sized devices?
Road map of modern electronics: From CMOS technology to molecular
electronics, spintronics, nanophotonics, and quantum computations
Mesoscopic transport: Brief overview of main principles, materials, and devices
A Brief Update of Conventional Solid State Physics
Crystal structures
Electronic energy bands and their occupation, envelope functions and effective
mass, doping.
Diffusive transport, scattering mechanisms, screening
Surfaces, Interfaces, and Layered Devices
Electronic surface states
Semiconductor-metal interface
Semiconductor heterostructures
Field-effect transistors and quantum wells
Mesoscopic Physics
Two-dimensional electron systems: general properties, magneto-conductance, the
quantum Hall effect
Quantum Wires and Quantum Point Contacts: Diffusive quantum wires, ballistic
wires (conductance quantization), carbon nanotubes, quantum point contacts
Electronic Phase Coherence: The Aharonov-Bohm effect, weak localization,
resonant tunneling.
Single-Electron Tunneling: Coulomb blockade, single-electron tunneling devices,
electron pumping, etc.
Quantum Dots: Role of electron-electron interaction, conductance resonances, etc.
Mesoscopic superconductivity: Josephson effect and its applications, hybrid
systems, etc.
New Directions in Electronics
Spintronics, Molecular Electronics, Nanomechanics, Nanophotonics, Devices for
Quantum Computation
Experimental Aspects
(will be presented by students and taken into account for the exam grade)
Sample growth and fabrication:
Single crystal growth; growth of layered structures, epitaxy - liquid phase epitaxy
(LPE), molecular chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), molecular beam epitaxy
(MBE), magnetron sputtering, etc.
Lateral patterning (electron beam patterning) and bonding.
Sample characterization:
Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM);
Tunneling microscopy (STM);
Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS);
X-ray spectroscopy;
Elements of cryogenics.
Format of the course
The best format for would be the framework of the intensive course when the lectures are
delivered during a short period. That would make it possible for the students oriented to
nanoscience and nanotechnology combining this course with the courses on
Nanochemistry and Nanotechnology presented by Professors II. My suggestion is to
arrange the lectures as 2-week seminar-like program plus compulsory students’
presentations.