Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a Master's program in Nanoscience, with a specialization in Quantum Physics. The program includes a course on Nanophysics 1 - Quantum Nanoelectronics.

Course Description

The course NFYK12005U Nanophysics 1 - Quantum Nanoelectronics aims to provide a theoretical introduction to selected topics in the physics of nanostructures, with emphasis on experimental research areas at the Center for Quantum Devices and the Nano-Science Center. The general theme is current flow (electron transport) in nanoscale structures, where quantum effects are expressed clearly.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Differentiate between various regimes of mesoscopic electron transport
• Sketch the key elements in realizing an electron transport experiment on a nanostructure
• Identify the relevant physical parameters in such an experiment
• Present clearly the phenomena reported in a research article within the field of experimental electron transport in nanostructures
• Plan a presentation that covers the necessary introduction/background as well as items from the specific article
• Differentiate between the essential information and technical details in the article
• Reproduce and discuss the main features and trends in graphical representations of transport data
• Interpret the experimental data and explain qualitatively the origin of the phenomena reported in the article
• Relate the findings to the theory treated in the course
• Demonstrate through the presentation and discussion that familiarity with the concepts and terms introduced in the course has been obtained
• Demonstrate use of basic physical arguments, estimates, and/or minimalistic calculations to support the presentation
• Relate or contrast to relevant examples known from the course to demonstrate a broader understanding of the field
• Evaluate critically the article's conclusions to the extent that the background for this discussion has been treated in the course

Literature

The course uses the textbook "Semiconductor Nanostructures" by Thomas Ihn, Oxford University Press 2010, and supplementary material.

Academic Qualifications

The course requires a basic study program in physics or nanoscience, including quantum mechanics and electrodynamics. An introduction to solid state physics is strongly recommended.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes lectures, exercises, and discussions.

Workload

The course has a workload of 206 hours, including:

• Lectures: 24 hours
• Preparation: 30 hours
• Theory exercises: 122 hours
• Total: 206 hours

Exam

The exam is an oral examination, 20 minutes, including presentation and discussion of a "take-home" article handed out two days prior to the oral examination. All aids are allowed, and the marking scale is a 7-point grading scale.

Course Information

The course is taught in English, with a course code of NFYK12005U, and is worth 7.5 ECTS credits. The course is placed in block 3, and the course capacity is 30 students. The contracting department is the Niels Bohr Institute, and the course responsible is Jesper Nygård.