M.Sc. (Physics) curriculum, Tribhuvan University 2073

64

PHY619: Nano Physics I 2 CH (L30+T10) Nature of the course: Theory Full Marks: 50 Pass Marks: 25 Course Description:

This course aims at providing students with basic knowledge and skill in theoretical as well as experimental aspects of Nano Physics.

Course Objectives:

To acquaint student with the theoretical and experimental methods in Nano Physics.

To prepare them in developing skill to pursue further study and research in the field of physics.

Course Content:

1. Introduction: [6 hours] 1.1 Nanometers, Micrometers, Millimeters, 1.2 Moore’s Law, 1.3 Esaki’s Quantum Tunneling Diode, 1.4 Quantum Dots of Many Colors, 1.5 GMR 100Gb Hard Drive “Read” Heads, 1.6 Accelerometers in a Car, 1.7 Nanopore Filters, 1.8 Nanoscale Elements in Traditional Technologies.

2. Systematics of making things smaller, Pre-quantum: [4 hours]

2.1 Mechanical Frequencies Increase in Small Systems, 2.2 Scaling Relations Illustrated bya Simple Harmonic Oscillator, 2.3 Scaling Relations Illustrated byS imple Circuit Elements, 2.4 Thermal Time Constants and Temperature Differences Decrease, 2.5 Viscous Forces Become Dominant for Small Particles in Fluid Media, 2.6 Frictional Forces can Disappear in Symmetric Molecular Scale.

3. Limit to smallness: [3 hours]

3.1 Particle (Quantum) Nature of Matter: Photons, Electrons, Atoms, Molecules, 3.2 Biological examples of Nano-motors and Nano-devices, 3.3 How small can one make it?

4. Quantum Technologies Based on Magnetism, Electron and Nuclear Spin, and

Superconductivity: [15 hours] 4.1 Two Nuclear Spin Effects: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), 4.2 Electron Spin ½ as a Qubit for a Quantum Computer: Quantum Superposition,

Coherence, 4.3 Hard and Soft Ferromagnets, 4.4 The Origins of GMR (Giant Magnetoresistance): Spin-dependent Scattering of Electrons, 4.5 Spin Injection: the Johnson–Silsbee Effect, 4.6 Superconductors and the Superconducting (Magnetic) Flux Quantum, 4.7 Josephson Effect and the Superconducting Quantum Interference Detector (SQUID).

M.Sc. (Physics) curriculum, Tribhuvan University 2073

65

Textbook

1. Wolf, E.L. – Nanophysics and Nanotechnology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim (2006).

Reference Books

1. Mitin V. V., Kochelap V. A. and Strocio M. A. – Introduction to nanoelectronics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2008).

2. Davies J.H. – The physics of low dimensional semiconductors, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2005).