Mesoscopic physics
Information about the exam
Mesoscopic physics is a given by professor Houssa. There is only a final exam, consisting of two questions. Mathematical detail is not required and the emphasis is more on the physical interpretation of the formulas discussed during the lectures.
Exam questions
14/01/2019
- Question 1
Explain the occurrence of a metal-insulator transition in a disordered solid.
- Question 2
Describe the Stoner criterion for magnetism. Use this criterion to explain the occurrence of a ferromagnetic order in 2D material, like e.g. hole-doped SnO monolayers.
Questions from earlier years
- Explain why the Drude model breaks down in mesoscopic systems and describe with respect to characteristic length scales.
- Explain the quantum Hall effect, the quantum spin Hall effect and topological insulators.
- What is the Mott transition?
- Explain the type of tunneling that happens in an Si/SiO2 interface.
- What is resonant tunneling?
- What is the Landau model?
- How is a CNT conceptually formed, starting from a graphene sheet? What are the different types of CNT, based on their symmetry properties, and what is the implication on their transport properties? Oral questions: Dependence of SC CNTs Band Gap with its geometry. How to grow specific types of CNTs? Difference between Quantum Hall effect in Graphene and 2DEG? Difference regarding temperature?