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MEF9010 - Nanophysics

Course content

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Admission

To participate in this course you must have an admission to a Ph.D.-programme at a Norwegian University or University College.

If you do not have an admission to the Ph.D.-Programme in Science at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at UiO, you have to apply for hospitantstatus (norwegian text) . Deadlines for applying are the 1st of February for courses in the Spring semester and the 1st of September for courses in the Autumn semester. For more information, please contact the Department.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Recommended prior knowledge

A Bachelors degree from the Bachelors program Materials and Energy for the future, or equivalent.

Overlap

10 credits with MEF5010 - Nanophysics

Teaching

This is an intensive course where the lectures most likely will be arranged as a 2-week seminar-like program.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Criteria for access to teaching resources

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.

Exam information

Compulsory student presentations.

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Language of examination

The language of examination is Norwegian. You can apply to the administrators of the course to be given the exam text in English. It is possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Assessment and grading

Students are awarded either a passing or a failing grade. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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