Spring 2005
Instructor: Prof. Arthur Ramirez
Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

Course Description: This course will introduce and examine physical concepts that underlie proposed nanoscale devices. Topics to be covered include spin transport through inhomogeneous media (e.g. for spintronics applications), charge transport into and through molecular solids (e.g. for plastic electronics), nanoscale magnets (e.g. for macroscopic quantum tunneling), and aspects of charge order in complex oxides (e.g. for Mott-FETs). The course will stress concepts and connections to real material systems, using examples in the current literature. These concepts will include the drift-diffusion equation at interfaces, spin-flip scattering, exchange bias, Schottky barriers, deep charge trapping, quantum tunneling, tunnel splitting of energy spectra, spin-orbit interactions, and mean field theory. Distinctions will be drawn between traditional solid state physics where the infinite crystal and thermodynamic limits apply, and nanoscale systems where these limits fail. The goal will be to gain enough familiarity with the above subjects to enable critical evaluation of selected topics in the current literature. Resources for the course will include Ashcroft and Mermin’s Solid State Physics, notes from the instructor, and online access to the literature through Columbia’s web-based library. Requirements are four hours per week of reading and problem solving, and a final oral presentation on a recently published paper.

Prerequisites: undergraduate quantum mechanics (equivalent to one of APPH E3100y, APPH E4100x, CHEM C3080y, PHYS G4021x). A general familiarity with quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and basic solid states principles (first half of Ashcroft & Mermin) is required.

E9143 in the Columbia University Directory of Classes