This course aims to give an overview of the basic properties and applications of nanostructured materials. The course can be schematically divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the most recent achievements of nanotechnology and related phenomenology. The main observed phenomena occurring at the nanoscale (electronic, optical and transport properties) are described, with a focus on applications (optoelectronics, single electron transistors, self-powered devices, nanomedicine and many others). Also, a short history of nanotechnology and its development is presented.
The second part is focused on the interpretation and understanding of the observed properties in terms of basic concepts, such as electron and hole quantum confinement, effects induced by the system size and dimensionality, and so on. The main theoretical models needed to describe the optical, electronic and transport properties in nanostructured materials will be analysed. The starting point will be recent seminal experiments showing the ability of controlling and tuning the materials structure and electronic properties with atomic resolution (truly one-dimensional metallic wires, two-dimensional systems and graphene, single-electron transport, etc.).
Course outline
Introduction
- nanotechnology and its connection with microelectronics
- synthesis techniques (very short overview)
- new instruments and spectrosopies: STM and AFM
- applications (special topics: nanopiezotronics, nanomedicine, nanoplasmonics)
Nanostructures: from zero- to two-dimensional systems
- atomic nanoclusters: physical and structural properties
- quantum dots or nanocrystals: electronic properties and devices (quantum dot lasers, single-electron transistor)
- nanostructured carbon: nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene
Optical and electronic properties
- nanocrystals, nanowires, quantum wells
- elementary excitations in solids
- the quantum confinement and its effects on the optical properties
- transport in nanostructures
The students can give indication for topics of their interest that could be part of the program of the course. Please email me for any suggestion.
Course worksheet
PhD courses catalog 2018.pdf