The Physics of Low-dimensional Structures and Quantum Devices
Fysiken för låg-dimensionella strukturer och kvantkomponenter

FFFN35F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2019
Decided by: Anders Gustafsson / FUN(2)
Date of establishment: 2019-11-17

General Information

Division: Solid State Physics
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course codes: FFFN35, FYST24
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of this course is to give doctoral students a background relevant to research in the physics of low dimensional structures and quantum devices. The course aims to give the doctoral student knowledge so that the student can formulate and solve problems in his or her research. This course concerns artificial materials with substructure on the nanometer scale such that the electronic motion is restricted to two, one or zero dimensions. The emphasis is on semiconductor heterostructures but also other low-dimensional systems will be discussed. The concepts and the underlying theory are introduced based on quantum mechanics and extended by the application to heterostructures. After the lecture part of the course is completed, the student will work on a project within a research group for about 1,5 weeks. The project work will be presented orally as well as in writing.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Be able to describe and explain physics phenomena in low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures.
• Be able to calculate and explain the basic electronic structure of realistic heterostrucutres using quantum mechanical models.
• Be able to calculate optical and transport properties of 0-, 1- and 2-dimensional systems.
• Be able to describe applications of low-dimensional structures in for instance photonics and electronics.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Be able to analyze advanced experiments and compare the results with realistic calculations.
• Be able to plan, implement and evaluate an advanced research project.
• Be able to write well-structured reports that summarizes, explains and analyses experimental and/or theoretical work.
• Be able to present his/her own results in an oral presentation.
• Be able to independently search and find information beyond the course literature.
• Be able to choose approximations and models based on experience and knowledge of physics in general

Course Contents

Heterostructure concepts and low dimensional systems such as quantum wells, nanowires and quantum dots. Quantum physics applied to such systems. Optical properties of low dimensional systems (transition rules, polarization etc). Transport properties of 2D and 1D systems. Quantized conductance with Landauer-formalism. Scattering phenomena in 1D. Devices based on quantum phenomena and Coulomb blockade.

Course Literature

Davies, J.: The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction.. Cambridge University Press, 1997. ISBN 052148491X.
Lecture Notes will also comprise a portion of the reading for this course

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, laboratory exercises, exercises, project

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written exam, written report, seminars given by participants. Assessment: Written exam and home assignments. Graded laboratory exercises and project work. The final grade is based on a weighted average of the grades on the laboratory work (25%), the project work (25%) and the written exam (50%). The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: (FMFF15 Quantum Mechanics and Mathematical Methods or FAFF10 Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Applications) and (FFFF01 Electronical Materials or FFFF05 Solid State Physics).

Further Information

Course coordinator: Mats-Erik Pistol, mats-erik.pistol@ftf.lth.se Course coordinator: Adam Burke, adam.burke@ftf.lth.se

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: http://www.ftf.lth.se/education/quick-links-to-course-pages/fffn35-physics-of-low-dimensional-structures-and-quantum-devices/