Physics at the Nanoscale

Physics at the Nanoscale (PN | INR7012U)

Description: Today an increasing amount of science and technology is concerned with processes at the nano-scale, typified by structures of the order of 10-1000 nanometre in dimension. At this scale, physics is determined by quantum processes. This course provides an introduction to the rapidly growing area of nano-science.

Already, nano-structures are "familiar" to us in the structure of the current generation of computer chips, and the applications of nano-structures are predicted to contribute to the new technologies of this century. The course introduces the physics and technology of nano-structures, discusses their special properties, methods of fabricating them, and some of the methods of analysing them.

Objectives: On successfully completing this course, a student should:

- Appreciate the difference between the physics on the classical (macro-) scale and on the quantum (nano-) scale.

- Understand the properties of nanostructures in "zero", one and two dimensions.

- Understand the fabrication and characterisation of nano-devices.

This module is taught by RHUL.


Juno Champion

The school holds Juno Champion status, the highest award of this IoP scheme to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate they have taken action to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.