Nanophysics - from wave propagation to photonics and nanotechnologies
Presentation
Programme (detailed contents):
Wave phenomena, interferences and diffraction. Particle phenomena. The dual nature of waves and particles, application to electron microscopy. Quantum physics
laws. Quantum effects and applications. Scanning tunnelling microscope, quantum wells and quantum dots, application to radioactivity, harmonic oscillator, vibrations of molecules and Infrared spectroscopy, kinetic momentum and its application to molecular
rotation spectroscopy, spin and its applications in NMR and MRI. Atomic and molecular orbitals. X-rays . Lasers. Crystalline solids, concept of energy bands, application
in semiconductor electronic devices.
Organisation:
Based on an epistemological approach, the lectures lead the students progressively towards modern physics which is at the core of nanotechnologies.
Main difficulties for students:
v Link formalism to applications (devices or techniques based on quantum physics or wave propagation)
v Solve differential equations involved in the resolution of the Schrödinger equation
Objectives
At the end of this module, the student will have understood and be able to explain (main concepts):
v The fundamentals of wave propagation and quantum physics that are necessary for the understanding of modern electronic devices and analytical techniques
v The principle of analytical techniques commonly used in laboratories and the molecular mechanisms of quantum physics
The student will be able to:
v Formulate in his own words some nano-scale mechanisms and give concrete examples of micro and nano-devices together with well-known analytical methods using these mechanisms
v Master elementary phenomena of nano-scale physics
v Select the best method for a specific characterisation on the basis of the acquired concepts.
v Carry out some nano-scale characterisation methods
v Link mathematical formalism of quantum physics to real applications
v Grasp the necessary approximations that are required in quantum physics
v Bring together these different concepts to assimilate them, extract them from their
context in order to apply them to real situations.
context in order to apply them to real situations.
Needed prerequisite
1st year Mechanics, Electrostatics, Optics and Mathematics
Form of assessment
The evaluation of outcome prior learning is made as a continuous training during the semester. According ot the teaching, the assessment will be different: as a written exam, an oral exam, a record, a written report, peers review...
Benefits
Mécanique Quantique, edition Berkeley
Introduction à la Physique Quantique, JP Barrat, Dunod Université 1985
Additional information
wave phenomena
interferences and diffraction
the dual nature of waves and particles
electron microscopy
quantum physics laws
Tunnel effect and scanning tunnelling microscope
quantum wells
quantum dots
harmonic oscillator
kinetic momentum
infrared spectroscopy
electron spin
X-rays
energy bands in solid state materials