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Physics and Astronomy - Course Details


PHYS570X (PHYS57000)

Offering:

3 Credits

Prerequisites:

Undergraduate-level electromagnetism, basic knowledge in quantum mechanics, solid state electronics and modern physics also helpful

Description:

Course Wiki: http://phys570x.wikispaces.com/

This course will introduce concepts and experimental methods of modern solid state physics and nano physics from a "carbon" perspective, focusing on the graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNT).

This is one of a 3-course series which are largely independent from each other (Carbon Nanophysics 0 in Spring 2009 was an overview of material properties and technological applications; Carbon Nanophysics 1 in Spring 2010 will focus on electronic properties and nanoelectronic devices; Carbon Nanophysics 2 in Spring 2011 will focus on optical, thermal, mechanical and other properties). This course will be self-contained --- only minimum background on quantum mechanics and solid state electronics are assumed and you do not have to have taken a previous course on solid state/nanophysics or the previous version of PHYS570X.

Topics for Spring 2010 include:

  • Overview of carbon materials: graphite (3D), graphene (2D), carbon nanotubes (1D), buckyballs (0D); fabrication methods and material properties
  • Basic concepts of solid state and nanophysics and applications to carbon materials: band structure, density of states, electronic transport, thermoelectrics, effects of lattice, disorder and electron-electron interaction
  • Electronic transport of low dimensional systems as illustrated by graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNT): such as quantum Hall effects; localization; interaction effects and many-body physics; experimental techniques for transport measurements
  • Local probe of electronic properties: scanning probe microscopies esp. STM
  • Carbon nanoelectronic devices: field effect transistors and high-frequency devices
  • Optoelectronic properties, carbon based photonic devices and solar cells
  • spin-transport, magnetism and superconductivity in carbon nanomaterials

Course structure: lectures; student presentations/projects (review journal papers and/or mini projects/proposals); biweekly homework and in-class quizzes.

Recommended References:
General:

  • N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics (1976)
  • John H. Davies, The Physics of Low Dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction, Cambridge (1998)
  • M.J. Kelly, Low-dimensional semiconductors: materials, physics, technology, devices, Oxford (1995)
  • S. Datta, Electronic Transport in Mesoscopic Systems, Cambridge (1997)
  • C. Julian Chen, Introduction to Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Oxford (2008)

Graphene and CNTs:

  • H. Castro Neto et al., The Electronic Properties of Graphene, Rev. Mod. Phys. 81, 109 (2009)
  • Ado Jorio (Ed), Gene Dresselhaus (Ed), Mildred S. Dresselhaus (Ed): Carbon Nanotubes: Advanced Topics in the Synthesis, Structure, Properties, Applications (Topics in Applied Physics), Springer (2008)
  • Stephanie Reich, Christian Thomsen, Janina Maultzsch: Carbon Nanotubes: Basic Concepts and Physical Properties, Wiley (2004)

Last Updated: May 9, 2023 8:35 AM

Department of Physics and Astronomy, 525 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2036 • Phone: (765) 494-3000 • Fax: (765) 494-0706

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