Condensed Matter Physics
Research Activity in Condensed Matter Physics
The PhD course in Condensed Matter Physics is designed to train students to carry out experimental and theoretical research activity in selected scientific directions on the electronic and optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures, and their application to (opto)electronics. A special emphasis is put on one-dimensional systems both in the case of semiconductor nanowires and in that of edge states in quantum Hall systems. A second line is dedicated to coherent electron transport -also in the case of hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanostructures- with special attention to its applications to quantum computation. Finally, many opportunities are offered on the study of graphene: its synthesis, its applications to optoelectronics, photonics and energetics represent research directions open to PhD students.
Students will carry out their research activity within the National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology (NEST, http://www.laboratorionest.it) and will benefit from the presence not only of Scuola Normale Superiore research and teaching staff, but also from that of scientists and facilities of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Center for Nanotechnology Innovation) e of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Istituto Nanoscienze) that are located within NEST. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for compound semiconductor and graphene production and characterization, nanofabrication of complete semiconductor and superconductor devices and their electrical and optical characterization at cryogenic temperatures and under intense magnetic fields.
Available scholarships for autumn session: 5
Coordinator: Fabio Beltram
Fabio Beltram, SNS
Vittorio Giovannetti, SNS
Giuseppe La Rocca, SNS
Vittorio Pellegrini, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
Stefano Roddaro, Istituto di nanoscienze del CNR, Pisa
Lucia Sorba, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Fabio Taddei, Istituto di nanoscienze del CNR, Pisa
Miriam Serena Vitiello, Istituto di nanoscienze del CNR, Pisa