Quantum Optoelectronics

This module provides an introduction to quantum phenomena in condensed matter systems with reduced dimensionality. The module starts with a short repetition of the most important aspects of condensed matter physics in general and conventional semiconductors in particular. In due course, module topics of transport and optical phenomena in semiconductors with reduced dimensions will be introduced with emphasis on quantum effects. Fabrication methods for conventional low-dimensional conventional semiconductors and heterostructures, and for modern low-dimensional materials such as graphene or layered two-dimensional semiconductors, will be discussed. Finally, building on these aspects, quantum optical and quantum electronic functions, applications and devices will be addressed. Overall, this module will provide students with a broad understanding of quantum optical and quantum electronic phenomena in low-dimensional and nanoscale condensed matter systems relevant for applications in quantum technologies.

After completing the Module the student is able to:

1. Understand central quantum optoelectonic phenomena in low-dimensional and nanoscale semiconductors

2. Explain various material classes and realizations of low-dimensional semiconductors exhibiting quantum optoelectronic phenomena

3. Relate quantum optoelectronic phenomena to material properties (crystal structure, band structure), dimensions (0D, 1D or 2D) and geometries (for example quantum dots, quantum wires, quantum wells) 

4. Understand the application potential of solid-state systems for quantum technologies (such as spintronics, valleytronics, quantum information processing and sensing)

No prerequisites beyond the requirements for the Master’s program in Quantum Science and Technology.

The module consists of a lecture series (2 SWS) and exercise classes (2 SWS), comprising one lecture session and one exercise session per week. 

The main teaching material will be presented on the blackboard. This will be supplemented by power point / keynote presentations to summarize / illustrate important results and discuss state-of-the-art research. Weekly problem sets will be offered to obtain in-depth insights into selected topics of the lecture and discussed on the basis of solutions in weekly exercise classes. Alternatively to the problem sets, original publications will be discussed to emphasize the key aspects of the module in the view of the most recent research achievements.

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended as they prepare for the problems of the exam and help to develop related competences.

Power point and One Note presentation, blackboard.

Recent publications (including focused reviews) will complement textbooks on the physics of low-dimensional condensed matter systems such as:

• J. H. Davies, The Physics of Low-Dimensional Semiconductors, Cambridge University Press

• C. Weisbuch, Quantum Semiconductor Structures: Fundamentals and Applications, Academic Press

• A. Yariv, Quantum Electronics, John Wiley & Sons, New York

• M. O. Scully and M. S. Zubairy, Quantum Optics, Cambridge University Press

• Y. Yamamoto and A. Imamoglu, Mesoscopic Quantum Optics, John Wiley & Sons, New York
  

There will be a written exam of 120 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using conceptual questions and computational tasks.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Discussion of quantum electronic transport phenomena in quantum dots, quantum wires or two-dimensional quantum Hall systems
• Optical and quantum optical phenomena in condensed matter systems of reduced dimensions (quantum wells and heterostructures, quantum dots), quantum optics of photoexcited quasiparticles (excitons, trions, polarons, exciton-polaritons)
• Spin and valley quantum degrees of freedom in magnetotransport and magnetooptics