Course info

In this course the physics of semiconductor nanodevices will be discussed. The physics of spin qubits in single and double quantum dots will be discussed. Furthermore, the physics of hybrid superconducting-semiconducting devices will be addressed. Such devices can lead to the so-called Majorana Fermions. In particular, Andreev reflection and Andreev bound states will be discussed.
In the second part of the course, we will revisit transport in nanodevices, discussing wave functions in quantum dots and the scattering approach to conductivity. We will discuss the Landauer-Büttiker formula, applying it to quantum point contacts, and to the symmetries of conductance. Some examples given of how conductance statistics can be calculated using random matrix theory. We will then discuss the more recent topic of the introduction of superconductivity, including Majorana modes, both in terms of symmetries and conductance properties.

Target group: PhD students. Mainly physicists.

Prerequisites: Prior knowledge of basic electronics, semiconductor physics and quantum mechanics would be of advantage in order to be able to follow the course.

Evaluation: participation in the class, the recitations and homework

Teaching format: The course will consist of lectures. For the recitation papers related to the subject will be discussed, and homework problems will be reviewed.

ECTS: 6 Year: 2020

Track segment(s):
PHY-CON Physics - Condensed Matter

Teacher(s):
Andrew Higginbotham Georgios Katsaros

Teaching assistant(s):
Marco Valentini

If you want to enroll to this course, please click: REGISTER