Cours ED182 2019-2020

The various properties of quantum nano-objects

 

Jean-Pierre Bucher

Université de Strasbourg, IPCMS

 

 

The main motivations to study nanoparticles and their relationship to molecules, is driven by potential applications in various fields of science and technology e.g. electronics, data storage, catalysis, photovoltaics… Between physics and chemistry, between the atom and the solid state, nanoparticles and molecules, are containing a few to several hundred atoms. Properties of this finely divided state of matter change drastically when the energy level spacing, of the order of EF/N where N is the number of atoms, becomes larger than typical excitation energies such as kT, µBB, hf… In this lecture series, we will see that marked deviations from the solid state the so-called quantum size effects, manifest themselves in most properties of nano-objects. As a result, usual experimental and theoretical approaches are not appropriate anymore because of symmetry braking and discreteness of energy levels. We explore to which extent various properties of nano-objects can influence fundamental processes in magnetism, optics, catalysis and superconductivity. Particular focus is placed on cutting-edge research which explores the interaction of nano-objects with electromagnetic fields, in new kinds of experiments. The interdisciplinary approaches imposed by the field is expected to stimulate the emergence of new research topics, enabling innovative applications in nanoscience and inspiring the next generation of functional materials.

 

Main topics:

 

-Thermodynamic properties

-Simple theoretical models

-Geometric and electronic structure

-Quantum confinement & size effect

-Molecular electronics

-Magnetic and spin properties

-Charge density waves and superconductivity

-Electron dynamics & plasmonics

-Organic photovoltaics

-Chemisorption and catalysts

 

Time: 7, 14, 20, 28 May and 4, 11, 18, 25 June 2020 from 14:00 to 16:00

Place: Auditorium IPCMS, 23 rue du Loess Strasbourg