PHYSICS OF NANOSYSTEMS

The course introduces the fundamental concepts and principles which govern the microscopic and macroscopic physics of nanosystems and the operation of nano-electronic devices. Nanophysics is concerned with electronic systems and devices with one or more dimensions in the nanometer range.

The course will provide basic notions, from quantum mechanics to elements of the theory of solids and quantum transport, necessary to the understanding of modern quantum technologies. Phenomena and principles at the basis of Quantum Technologies will be reviewed as well as applications. The goal is to provide the student with skills and competencies complementing the the basic microelectronics curriculum, as: (a) familiarity with the emerging opportunities that nanoelectronics and quantum technologies offer; (b) ability of using quantum mechanics in different contexts of ICT and Nanotechnologies and judging the state of the art and relative progress in different technologies involving nanosystems; (c) acquiring a basis to come up with their own idea of new interesting project.

The present course addresses the multidisciplinary need of the diverse industrial sectors embracing nowadays nanotechnology, and the recent growth of interest in quantum technologies, which may offer new opportunities for employment and specialization to our graduates.

The student must have elements of the language, as a good knowledge of classical physics some grasp of introductory semiconductor physics and some ``affinity'' towards physics in general.

1. Solids, Nanosystems and Quantum Mechanics [1,5,8]
   
   PART I: Quantum Mechanics
2. Wave-particle duality: phenomenology [2,3,5,6]
3. Wave mechanics [3,5,6]
4. Some stationary problem [3,5]
5. Quantum Mechanincs and illustrative applications [3,5,6]
6. Approximation methods [3,5]
   
   PART II: Fisica dello Stato Solido
7. Many-particle systems [5,6]
8. Crystalline solids [1,5]
9. Bloch solid [1,5]
10. Semiclassical transport [1,5]
    
    PART III: Nanostructures
11. Tunneling in solids [5,6,8]
12. Incoherent tunneling and chanrging effects [5,6,8]
13. Low-dimensinal systems [5,6]
14. Nanodevices (seminar)
15. Quantum transport [4,5]
16. Quantum computation (seminari)

See the italian version