Nanoscience

About the course

The term nanoscience refers to the exploration of changes in physical properties originating from changes in the extension of materials. The emphasis of the content is therefore on effects arising from finite size effects in the electronic structure of materials, manifested in for example changes in magnetic properties, electric conductivity and general coupling of electronic states to applied electromagnetic fields. The reading material is based on scientific literature, providing training in searching and extracting relevant information.

The course will provide an understanding of finite size scaling, dimensionality aspects of phase transitions, giant magnetic resonance, magnetic and non-magnetic tunnel junctions, two-dimensional conductivity in materials such as transition metals and carbon-based structures (graphene, fullerenes and nanotubes).

Experimental and theoretical exercises are provided, focusing on the influence of the extension on the obtained material properties.

Transferable skills such as ethics, scientific terminology, scientific communication (written and verbal), and making and using figures, are all an integrated part of the content. The examination is used as a learning opportunity, in which the students give a scientific talk and hand in scientific communication on a topic or choice.