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Macroscopic effects in quantum conductors : Topology and transport phenomena
In this course we discuss a few examples of new phenomena that have emerged in electronic quantum matter in the past decades. These exotic quantum phenomena can either emerge intrinsically in new materials such as topological insulators, materials which own conducting channels at their edges/surfaces, ultimate superconductors made of single atomic layers or nano-wires. New phases can alternatively emerge by interfacing different materials (such as superconductors with magnets) or by engineering-controlled hybrid nano-devices.
Theoretical aspects will be introduced and illustrated by the results of experimental studies such as Scanning Tunneling Microscopy on a local scale, and by measurements of coherent electron transport and magnetism at mesoscopic scales.
Following the S1 courses on electron transport and superconductivity may be helpful for understanding
Outline of the course
- Trivial and topological materials: edge states, Landau levels, Berry phase, quantum metric.
- Quantum coherent electron transport: Microscopic, macroscopic and mesoscopic scales. Signatures of topology in transport.
- Principles of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS).
- Ultimate superconductivity: monolayers, nano-wires
- Impurity in a superconductor: a macroscopic quantum signature
- Ultimate magnetism: graphene monolayer and van der Waals heterostructures. Evidences of the geometrical/Berry phase.
- Superconducting hybrid devices involving topological matter: local (STS) vs global (mesoscopic transport) insight
Examination rules
TBD
