Prof.
Barus & Holley 329
What's New (as of January 17, 2009):
The class
meets on January 22 in Barus & Holley 141
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 2008 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 141 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%
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Total
..............................................................100%
1. Introduction to Nanosience by G. L. Hornyak,
J. Dutta, H. Tibbals and A.
K. Rao. An excellent
technical reference.
2. Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery,
Manufacturing, and Computation by K. E. Drexler. An
excellent advanced textbook.
3. Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology by K.
E. Drexler. A non-technical book by the same
author.
4. 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: by appointment.
Feel free to use email to ask questions.
Prof. Feldman's Web
Page