Abstract | The course covers the foundations of semiconductor nanostructures, e.g., materials, band structures, bandgap engineering and doping, field-effect transistors. The physics of the quantum Hall effect and of common nanostructures based on two-dimensional electron gases will be discussed, i.e., quantum point contacts, Aharonov-Bohm rings and quantum dots. |
Learning objective | At the end of the lecture the student should understand four key phenomena of electron transport in semiconductor nanostructures: 1. The integer quantum Hall effect 2. Conductance quantization in quantum point contacts 3. the Aharonov-Bohm effect 4. Coulomb blockade in quantum dots |
Content | 1. Introduction and overview 2. Semiconductor crystals: Fabrication and molecular beam epitaxy 3. Band structures of semiconductors 4. k.p-theory, effective mass, envelope functions 5. Heterostructures and band engineering, doping 6. Surfaces and metal-semiconductor contacts, fabrication of semiconductor nanostructures 7. Heterostructures and two-dimensional electron gases 8. Drude Transport and scattering mechanisms 9. Single- and bilayer graphene 10. Electron transport in quantum point contacts; Landauer-Büttiker description, ballistic transport experiments 11. Interference effects in Aharonov-Bohm rings 12. Electron in a magnetic field, Shubnikov-de Haas effect 13. Integer quantum Hall effect 14. Coulomb blockade and quantum dots |
Lecture notes | T. Ihn, Semiconductor Nanostructures, Quantum States and Electronic Transport, Oxford University Press, 2010. |
Literature | In addition to the lecture notes, the following supplementary books can be recommended: 1. J. H. Davies: The Physics of Low-Dimensional Semiconductors, Cambridge University Press (1998) 2. S. Datta: Electronic Transport in Mesoscopic Systems, Cambridge University Press (1997) 3. D. Ferry: Transport in Nanostructures, Cambridge University Press (1997) 4. T. M. Heinzel: Mesoscopic Electronics in Solid State Nanostructures: an Introduction, Wiley-VCH (2003) 5. Beenakker, van Houten: Quantum Transport in Semiconductor Nanostructures, in: Semiconductor Heterostructures and Nanostructures, Academic Press (1991) 6. Y. Imry: Introduction to Mesoscopic Physics, Oxford University Press (1997) |
Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture is suitable for all physics students beyond the bachelor of science degree. Basic knowledge of solid state physics is a prerequisit. Very ambitioned students in the third year may be able to follow. The lecture can be chosen as part of the PhD-program. The course is taught in English. |
Competencies | Subject-specific Competencies | Concepts and Theories | assessed | | Techniques and Technologies | assessed | Method-specific Competencies | Analytical Competencies | assessed | | Media and Digital Technologies | assessed | | Problem-solving | fostered | Social Competencies | Communication | fostered | | Self-presentation and Social Influence | assessed | | Sensitivity to Diversity | fostered | Personal Competencies | Creative Thinking | assessed | | Critical Thinking | assessed | | Integrity and Work Ethics | assessed | | Self-direction and Self-management | fostered |
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