Quantum Structures: Photonics and Transport, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Physics and Nanoscience
• Master's Programme in Materials Science and Nanotechnology
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering - International, M Sc in Engineering
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering

Specific information

The course is not offered fall 2019.

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Physics of Condenced Matter (part 1), Quantum Mechanics.

Intended learning outcomes

The course will provide deeper understanding of semiconductor properties such as crystal structures, band structure, doping, absorption, transport, and how they are affected by the reduced dimensionality of quantum structures. The students are expected to attain a solid understanding of these properties and the principles of quantum devices and to become well prepared for further studies in the field.

After the course the students should able be to
 •   explain the effects of reduced dimensionality on optical, electronic and transport related properties of quantum structures
 •   explain fundamental principles for quantum devices
 •   choose and utilize appropriate strategies to compute (analytically and/or computer-based) relevant parameters, such as carrier density, Fermi-level, doping etc., in quantum structures
 •   use optical characterization techniques at cryo-temperatures, perform analysis of the obtained information and write a lab report in English

Course content

The objective of the course is to transfer a basic understanding of fundamental properties and characteristics of quantum structures, and how these properties can be exploited for applications in photonics, electronics, and future quantum technologies. Within the frame of the course, a description of the important methods to fabricate, characterize and model epitaxial quantum structures. The course aims at an improved understanding of the effects caused by a reduction of the dimensionality of a semiconductor; from the 3-dimensional bulk, via 2- and 1-dimensional quantum wells and -wires, to 0-dimensional quantum dots.

    •    Methods for fabrication of epitaxial quantum heterostructures

    •    Defects in semiconductors, the effective mass model

    •    Models for energy bands and quantized energy levels in defects, quantum wells, wires and dots

    •    Internal strain and electric fields in heterostructures

    •    Distribution functions for electrons and holes, density of states and doping

    •    Transport properties and scattering processes in low-dimensional systems, including resonant tunneling, quantized conductance, and the quantized Hall effect

    •    Optical properties, absorption, and low-dimensional excitons

    •    Recombination processes, the Purcell effect and quantum electrodynamics

    •    Concepts for manipulation and measurement of individual electrons and photons

    •    Applications and potential applications of quantum structures

Laboratory Exercises involves:
• Polarization-resolved, low-temperature, high-frequency optical process measurements in low dimensional quantum structures by optical Hall effect spectroscopy
• Analysis of measurement data using numerical methods

Teaching and working methods

Lectures, tutorial sessions and laboratory exercises. The tutorial sessions are mainly focused on problem solving, but can to some extent also include demonstration of research facilities. The laboratory exercises includes moderna approaches for characterization and modeling of quantum structures.

Examination

Grades

Department

Director of Studies or equivalent

Examiner

Course website and other links

Education components

Course literature

Books

• Davies, John H, Davies, John H, (2009) The physics of low-dimensional semiconductors : an introduction
  ISBN: 9780521481489, 9780521484916

Articles

• H. L. Stormer, The quantized Hall effect Science 220/1983/1241

Other

• Utdelat material, forskningsartiklar