2025.04.30_MCES_L8_Junctions_III.pdf

Abstract

Carbon-based materials belong to the emerging quantum materials that bear a strong promise for applications in quantum technology. The lecture will provide a broad insight into nanoscale carbon-based materials, from their fundamental opto-electronic properties to their implementation in practical devices. We will first discuss the electronic properties of carbon-based materials, focusing on low-dimensionality systems, starting from short molecules that can be seen as 0D quantum dots, to graphene, a 2D material with remarkable mechanical, electrical and optical properties. The experimental techniques to fabricate and electronically characterize such systems will be addressed and their electronic transport properties discussed. Finally, we will extend the discussion to practical devices such as ion-sensing field-effect transistors.

Contents

Introduction. Carbon from 0D to 3D (L1, L2, L3)

Condensed matter physics reminder and fundamental properties of electronic systems (L4, L5)

Molecular junctions: formation mechanisms, transport, spectroscopy, data analysis and insights from theory (L6, L7, L8, L9)

Graphene for electronics: electrodes, junctions, Graphenen nanoribbons, hydrodynamic and thermoelectric transport (L10, L11)

Nanoscale devices for sensing

May 28: Mini-workshop: Talks by students (15′ talk + 5′ discussion).

Date to be discussed: Excursion to Empa.