Description and contextualization of the subject

The students will learn about the physical origin of properties and phenomena observed in low-dimensional systems and nanostructures.



Part I - Electronic structure



Revision of fundamental concepts of electrons in periodic solids. Extension of these concepts to finite-sized systems. Use of simple models to explain qualitatively complex electron structure phenomena observed in nanostructured systems, like resonances, phase transitions, etc.



Part II - Nanomagnetism



Fundamentals of the XMCD technique for probing the magnetism of individual atoms in different systems. Understand the physical origin of superparamagnetism in nanoparticles, transport in multilayers discussing giant magnetoresistance and related phenomena.



Part III - Nanophotonics



Understand how light and matter interact, both at the microscopic and macroscopic levels. Introduction to the consequences of this interaction for nanophotonics.

Ordinary call: orientations and renunciation

Final evaluation: 100% theoretical-practical exam

In case the student does not show up at the final exam, he/she will be considered as not presented.

Extraordinary call: orientations and renunciation

Final evaluation: 100% theoretical-practical exam

In case the student does not show up at the final exam, he/she will be considered as not presented.

Temary

Part I ( 1 ECTS)



Themodynamical approach to solid surfaces and nanostructured systems

-Surface energy and stability

-Wulff construction



Electronic properties of nanostructured solids

-Jellium model

-Periodicity: Bloch theorem and bands

-Nearly-free electrons in solids and surfaces

-Tight binding method

-Truncated systems: electron localisation effects

-Friedel model. Surface core level shifts.

-Hubbard model. Mott transition. Origin of magnetic exchange



Part II (1 ECTS)



Fundamentals magnetic properties at the nanoscale: Exchange and anisotropy.

-X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD)

-Layers

-Magnetism in nanoparticles

-Giant magnetoresistance



Part III (1 ECTS)



Interaction of light with matter

-Light propagation in a material

-Localized and propagating plasmonic resonances in metallic (nano)structures

-Dielectric nanostructures



Microscopic description of the optical properties of materials

-Microscopic polarizability

-Forced damped harmonic oscillator model

-Drude Model







METHODOLOGY - There are no compulsory exercises, but we propose some problems to reinforce the material learnt in the lectures. Additional problems are proposed that allow the students to explore deeper in the subject by themselves.

Bibliography

Basic bibliography

A.P. Sutton, "Electronic Structure of Materials" (Ed. Clarendon Press)



M.C. Desjonquères and D. Spanjaard, "Concepts in Surface Physics" (Ed. Springer)



P. Fazekas, "Lecture Notes on Electron Correlation and Magnetism" (Ed. World Scientific)



C. Kittel,Introduction to Solid State Physics (New York, Wiley).



Neil W. Ashcroft. N. David Mermin. Solid State Physics. Cornell University. Saunders College Publishing. Harcourt College Publishers. Fort Worth Philadelphia .



L. Novoty and B. Hecht, "Principles of Nano-optics", Cambridge (2006)



J.D. Jackson: "Classical electrodynamics" , Wiley&Sons, (1999)

M. Fox, "Optical properties of solids", Oxford, (2010)

Links

www.mscnano.eu/intranet