Syllabus

    The graduate course will cover essential physics of nanoscale 1D-systems and their device applications. The course focuses on novel materials such as carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires and biological systems. Their unique electronic properties will be considered at greatest extent though we will also overview mechanic/structural and optical properties.
    The fundamental physics effects that manifest themselves in 1D will be introduced, such as quantum phenomena, poor screening of Coulomb interaction, strong correlations, many-body effects, etc.
    As for the applications, a review of various devices ranging from ion channels and new electromechanical systems to electronic molecular transistors, that are not usually described in current textbooks, will be given.
We will stress on the difference of the 1D device physics from the bulk solid state physics, and thus derive fundamental restrictions, novel functions and possibilities that appear at nanoscale.
    A close relation of these subjects to both solid state physics and (bio-)organic chemistry and material science is emphasized. Similarity of carbon nano-materials to organic molecules, thus making a natural link to a biological nanoscale objects, like proteins, will be further discussed along with bio-applications.

- Applied Physics of Carbon Nanotubes: Fundamentals of Theory, Optics and Transport Devices // Eds. SV. Rotkin, S. Subramoney // vol. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Series // Publ: Springer Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. (c2005)
- Current journal articles to be handed out. 
Recommended reading
- Science and application of nanotubes // Eds. D. Tomanek and R. J. Enbody. // Publ: New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum, (c2000).
- Handbook of Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology // Eds.: W. Goddard, D. Brenner, S. Lyshevski, G.J. Iafrate // CRC Press (2000).
- The science of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes // M.S. Dresselhaus, G. Dresselhaus and P. Eklund, Academic (1996).

- term paper / final presentation (40%),
- homework / quiz results (30%),
- midterm evaluation (30%).
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting accommodations, please contact both your instructor and the Office of Academic Support Services, University Center 212 (610-758-4152) as early as possible in the semester. You must have documentation from the Academic Support Services office before accommodations can be granted.

1. Introduction to the field of carbon-based materials. 
2. Symmetry and structure of nanotubes (NTs).
3. Electronic structure of SWNTs.
4. Mechanical properties of nanotubes.

Chapter B: Fundamentals of applied physics of one-dimensional (1D) devices

5. Classical phenomena in 1D devices.
6. Quantum effects in SWNT based devices.
7. Band gap engineering in graphitic materials.
8. Transport in nanotubes and nanowires.
9. Charge carrier scattering in nanotubes.
O.* van der Waals/Casimir (vdWC) cohesion.
_______ * - optional

Chapter C: Non-conventional device applications

10. Electromechanical action of nanotubes.
11. Molecular electronics
12. Devices with semiconductor nanowires
OO.* Perspectives of non-conventional devices