Teaching
In the spring semesters 2011-2015 I taught the course
Introduction to Modern Topics
in Condensed Matter Physics.
This is a graduate course and it is taught in English. Its aim is to introduce a broad range of current topics in the physics of (hard) condensed matter, providing an overview of many subjects rather than specific details of a few. Its intended function is as a framework for students to develop an understanding of the structure of the field, and as a guide on where to read more deeply about those parts of particular interest. In this sense the course serves as a bridge from the textbook-oriented learning of core physics courses to the journal- and inquiry-oriented investigation of the research laboratory. Assessment is on the basis of mid-term and final papers, which involve reviewing selected journal articles on a chosen topic.
Introduction to Modern Topics
in Condensed Matter Physics.
This is a graduate course and it is taught in English. Its aim is to introduce a broad range of current topics in the physics of (hard) condensed matter, providing an overview of many subjects rather than specific details of a few. Its intended function is as a framework for students to develop an understanding of the structure of the field, and as a guide on where to read more deeply about those parts of particular interest. In this sense the course serves as a bridge from the textbook-oriented learning of core physics courses to the journal- and inquiry-oriented investigation of the research laboratory. Assessment is on the basis of mid-term and final papers, which involve reviewing selected journal articles on a chosen topic.
Course Syllabus
The course contains a total of 28 classes as follows.
Part I: Structures of condensed matter systems
1)Crystalline and non-crystalline structures
2)Quasi-crystals
3)Liquid crystals
4)Polymers and biomolecules
5) Aggregates, colloids, fractals and percolation
Part II: Systems of non-interacting electrons
6) Quantum wells and heterostructures
7)Quantum dots and nanoclusters
8)Quantum wires and carbon nanotubes
9)Surface physics
10)Transport of band electrons
11)Mesoscopic quantum transport
12) Optical response and photonic crystals
13) Lasers and quantum optics
14) Berry phases and spintronics
15) Disordered systems and Anderson localization
16) Quantum Hall effects: integer, spin, anomalous
17)Topological insulators and graphene
7)Quantum dots and nanoclusters
8)Quantum wires and carbon nanotubes
9)Surface physics
10)Transport of band electrons
11)Mesoscopic quantum transport
12) Optical response and photonic crystals
13) Lasers and quantum optics
14) Berry phases and spintronics
15) Disordered systems and Anderson localization
16) Quantum Hall effects: integer, spin, anomalous
17)Topological insulators and graphene
Part III: Correlated electron systems
18)Quantum magnetism: order and disorder
19) Quantum magnetism: frustration and nanomagnets
20)Quantum phase transitions
21)Mott transition
22) Unconventional superconductivity
23)High-Tc superconductivity
24)Superfluidity and supersolidity
25) Cold atomic condensates
26)Orbital physics and CMR
27) Fractional quantum Hall effect
28)Berry phase and topology in many-body systems
19) Quantum magnetism: frustration and nanomagnets
20)Quantum phase transitions
21)Mott transition
22) Unconventional superconductivity
23)High-Tc superconductivity
24)Superfluidity and supersolidity
25) Cold atomic condensates
26)Orbital physics and CMR
27) Fractional quantum Hall effect
28)Berry phase and topology in many-body systems