Physics
0120
First-Year Seminar
"Adventures in Nanoworld"
Home Page 2008
Prof.
Barus & Holley 329
What's New (as of
The first
draft of the final project is due on April 29 in class. The draft will be returned
by writing fellows by May 6. The final draft is due on May 9
at
Please fill
in the library survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qO9Zwpi1A4raxHRuNC_2bjTA_3d_3d
The beautiful
quantum corral from the poster was grown on the nanoscale by Crommie, Lutz, and
Eigler. [Science 262, 218 (1993)].
Please come to the Monday colloquia -- it is a good way to be exposed to the
wide world of physics. The colloquia are held each Monday at 4:30 pm in
Barus & Holley 168. Cookies, tea, and coffee are available at 4:00 pm
in the same room. Click here for the Colloquia Calendar.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Richard Feynman
famously said, "There's plenty of room at the bottom," about the
possibility to build molecular-size machines operating according to Quantum
Mechanics. Scientists are now learning the art. We will use basic physics and
simple mathematical models to understand the phenomena and materials in the
nanoworld, from artificial atoms and quantum wires to the quantum mechanics of
information. The course covers important
classes of nanosystems such as macromolecules, nanotubes, quantum dots, quantum
wires and films. We will learn how people make nanosystems and characterize
them. We will consider existing and potential applications of nanotechnology
including molecular motors, nanoelectronics, spintronics (which received the
latest Nobel prize in Physics) and quantum information.
The course has no prerequisites. We will
cover background material including Quantum Physics. Non-science concentrators
are welcome.
Class meets: in Barus & Holley 153 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:20 pm.
Required Texts:
M. Ratner and D. Ratner, "Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea";
from the Editors of Scientific American, “Understanding
Nanotechnology”;
J. Polkinghorne, “Quantum Theory: A Very Short
Introduction”;
M. Crichton, “Prey”.
Homework: About one writing assignment every two or three weeks and a final project.
Tests and Exams: There will be no final exam
Grading scheme:
Classroom Participation ..................................... 20%
Homework ....................................................... 30%
Final
Project ..................................................... 50%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
..............................................................100%
- Reading and Homework Assignments
- Periodic Table
- There’s plenty of room at the bottom by R. P. Feynman
- Library resources for PHYS 0120
Additional Reading and References
1. Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing, and Computation
by K. E. Drexler. An excellent advanced textbook.
2. Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology by K.
E. Drexler. A non-technical book by the same
author.
3. Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science by
W. Heisenberg. A non-technical introduction to
Quantum Mechanics and its interpretation by one of its creators.
e-mail Prof.
Prof. Feldman's telephone extension: x33056
Prof. Feldman's Office Hours: Wednesdays
3pm to 4.30pm in B&H 329.
Prof. Feldman's Web
Page