Here you can find further information about the lectures of the CUI Graduate Days 2014 like abstracts and eventually the notes or slides of the lecturers.
Morning long scientific courses
Superconductivity in mesoscopic systems: Dr. Fabrizio Dolcini (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)
The recent developments of nanotechnology have shown that a number of interesting transport properties arise in hybrid systems where superconductors are interfaced to nanostructures in the quantum coherence regime. The purpose of this course is to offer an introduction and an overview of superconductivity in nanostructures and mesoscopic systems: After a short survey about bulk Superconductivity, Mesoscopic Physics and Nanostructures, the method of Bogolubov-DeGennes (BdG) Equations for treating inhomogeneous superconductivity and hybrid systems will be presented. The phenomenon of Andreev reflection at the interface with the superconductor will be discussed, along with the current-voltage characteristics of a Normal Metal – Superconductor junction, within Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk Theory. Then, the BdG method shall be combined with the Scattering Matrix formalism to discuss the Josephson Effect in mesoscopic systems. In the last part of the course recent applications to the case of topological materials will also be discussed.
Slides of the course: Monday-partA; Monday-partB; Monday-partC; Tuesday-partA; Tuesday-partB; Tuesday-partC; Wednesday-partA; Wednesday-partB.
Molecular spectroscopy: Prof. Frédéric Merkt (Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Switzerland)
Molecular spectroscopy is the main source of information on the structure and dynamics of molecules. Spectroscopic experiments can be carried out at frequencies ranging from the radio-wave to the X-Ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and provide information on all types of motion associated with electronic, vibrational, rotational and spin degrees of freedom. Molecular spectroscopy is also used in chemical analysis and remote sensing.
After a review of basic aspects of molecular quantum mechanics and of the interaction of radiation with matter, the lecture series will provide an overview of molecular spectroscopy with emphasis on the following topics: (1) Selection rules, group theory and symmetry, (2) Rotational, vibrational and electronic structure in molecules, (3) Rotational, vibrational and electronic transitions in molecules, (4) Molecular spectroscopy and dynamics, and (5) Experimental strategies, spectroscopic methods and instrumentation.
The lecture series will primarily focus on high-resolution spectroscopy, include general material taken from the recently published Handbook of High-Resolution Spectroscopy (1) and illustrates the main concepts with examples taken from the recent literature.
(1) Handbook of High-resolution Spectroscopy, Eds. M. Quack and F. Merkt, Wiley, Chichester, 2011.
Slides of the course: Introduction-March10, Introduction-March11, Introduction-March12, Lecture1, Lecture2, and Lecture3.
Nanoparticles: From nucleation and growths to application and materials and life of sciences: Prof. Horst Weller (Fachbereich Chemie, Universität Hamburg, Germany)
The lectures will give an introduction to synthesis, properties and application of wet-chemically prepared nanocrystals. Focus is lead on semiconductor, metal and magnetic nanoparticles and we will discuss the influence of size, shape and surface functionalization on the physical properties. This includes basic principles of size quantization, plasmonics and the transition from ferro- to superparamagnetism. The second part of the lectures deals with basic concepts of how to make and stabilize such particles in solution. Special attention will be laid on the question how size, shape and surface chemistry of the particles can be controlled. Different mechanisms of particle growth will be discussed. Finally we will present current and future applications of such particles in materials and life sciences. This includes the use as biomarkers for molecular imaging, applications in display, lightning and photovoltaic technology as well as the utilization in modern catalysis.
Afternoon short scientific courses
Ultracold physics in low dimensions: Dr. Manfred Mark (Institute for Experimental Physics, Universität Innsbruck, Austria)
Part 1: Introduction and overview
We will start with a short theory review of low-dimensional physics, especially interacting bosons in 1D and the corresponding theoretical models (BEC in 1D, Luttinger liquid, 1D versus quasi-1D, confinement induced resonances (CIR), Fermionization, …). Then an overview over recent experimental investigations is given (Newtons Cradle, Prethermalization, Integrability breakdown, …).
Part 2: One-dimensional Bose-gases with tunable interactions
We will start with a stability analysis of Bose gases in 1D, showing decay measurements revealing the dependence of the three-body correlation function on the interaction strength. Then the observation of the CIR and their behaviour are discussed. Finally, measurements showing all different regimes in 1D, going from the non-interacting gas across the weakly interacting gas into the Tonks-gas and crossing the CIR into the super-Tonks-gas, are presented.
Part 3: One-dimensional Bose-gases in a lattice
We will start with a review of lattice physics, especially the Bose-Hubbard and sine-Gordon model. Then recent experiments are discussed: First, the observation of the superfluid-to-Mott-insulating phase in a 1D commensurate lattice, also called pinning transition, will be shown. Second, decay and revival of Bloch oscillations in 1D and the transition to the quantum chaotic regime are presented. Third, tunnelling dynamics after a quantum quench along the 1D chains and their relation to spin dynamics are addressed.
Slides of the course: Part1, part2, and part3.
Gas-phase molecules and FELs: Dr. Daniel Rolles (Desy, Hamburg)
Free-Electron Lasers provide ultra-intense, few-femtosecond, fully spatially coherent light pulses in the vacuum-ultraviolet and X-ray regime which open up new experimental possibilities in molecular physics including the study of multi-photon processes in the X-ray regime, femtosecond time-resolved studies of photochemical reactions, and various molecular imaging applications. This lecture will start with a general introduction into the photoionization of atoms and molecules, followed by a brief introduction into the principles of a Free-Electron Laser and some typical electron and ion spectroscopy techniques used in FEL applications. I will then discuss several examples of current FEL research on molecules including multi-photon ionization of molecules, femtosecond pump-probe experiments, and X-ray and photoelectron diffraction of aligned molecules.
Slides of the course: Part1, part2, and part3.
Modern methods of X-ray physics: Dr. Michael Sprung and Dr. Leonard Müller (Desy, Hamburg, Germany)
The advent of third generation synchrotron light sources and later free-electron laser (FEL) sources has revolutionized X-ray scattering methods for condensed matter research in many ways. In the first two lectures, basic concepts of x-ray scattering will be introduced. New coherence-based experimental methods, that become possible only by using modern third generation synchrotron radiation facilities, will be highlighted. Main emphasize will be on coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) approaches and x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The first group of techniques recreate an object from its diffraction signal on nanometer length scales and the later technique allows to measure dynamical behavior on nanometer length scales, e.g. diffusion coefficients in complex liquids. The third lecture will focus on soft x-ray scattering at FEL sources. FELs allow to access dynamics on femtosecond time scales which is demonstrated on the basis of resonant magnetic scattering and imaging experiments on magnetic domain systems. The holographic method to image magnetic domain systems will be discussed in detail.
Slides of the course: Slides and other material.