Course content

Mesoscopic physics (mesos (gr): in between) takes place on length scales where both the particle and the wave nature of the electrons are important, typically between ten and a few hundred nanometers, i.e., in between the macroscopic and the microscopic atomic level. Modern nanotechnology has enabled the fabrication of electronic circuits on such length scales and made possible the discovery of several novel physical effects. This course will discuss some of the key experimental findings over the last couple of decades, and both classical and quantum physics will be used to describe and understand the various experiments. Relevant topics are e.g.: quantized conductance, Coulomb blockade, Büttiker-Landauer-formalism, universal conductance fluctuations, quantum Hall effect, Aharonov-Bohm effect, giant magnetoresistance.

Learning outcome

The student shall, with relatively simple physical models applied to recent experimental results, learn how basic physics can be used to describe and understand the behavior of systems on the borderline between macroscopic and atomic length scales. The course will hopefully motivate for further studies in mesoscopic physics, both theoretically and experimentally.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, calculation exercises, and student presentations. Exam date will be agreed upon during the course.

Compulsory assignments

• Work

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and solid state physics.

Course materials

Will be announced when the course begins.

Credit reductions