Nanosystems and mesoscopic systems represent the most intensively studied areas of modern solid-state physics: modern lithographic procedures enable us to create semiconducting devices and metallic grains, where electrons move coherently. Today, we can contact individual grains, atoms and molecules, and place them into micro-resonators.

 

The goal of the course is to cover novel phenomena occurring in such devices. I Knowledge of quantum mechanics solid-state physics and statistical physics is assumed. The course covers the following subjects: description of small grains (Coulomb interaction, coherence, single particle levels); fundamentals of random matrix theory (university classes, level repulsion); Coulomb blockade and spectroscopy  (master equation, co-tunneling and Kondo effect); conductance and noise of point contacts; molecular transport; superconducting grains, Josephson junctions, and quantum bits;Nano wires, edge states, and hybrid structures. 

 

The course is accompanied by a series of problem sets, which the students are supposed to prepare and hand in by the end of the semester.