AIM OF SUBJECT
The aim of the course is to provide training in solving advanced problems beyond what is possible within the limited framework of individal courses. The problems will be defined in terms of case studies in e.g. nanophysics, superconductivity, biological physics and materials physics and may involve both theoretical and experimental aspects. The problems will combine basic knowledge acquired in previous courses with topical questions of high interest in research and development. For theoretical problems, the approach will involve problem formulation as well as analytic and numeric calculations, evaluations of results and comparison with experiment. For experimental problems, the approach will involve problem formulation, assembly of equipment, experiment, evaluations of results and comparison with theory.
CONTENT
The course will cover several relatively small problems, case studies, typically one problem per week (credit unit). The problems will deal with topics of recent interest in research and development. Moreover, the problems will, to some extent, be chosen on an individual basis with regard to previous training. Examples of problems could be electron transport in normal and superconducting nanoscale devices with applications to microelectronics; interaction of biomolecules with surfaces; propagation and storage of information in non-linear systems, e.g. organic molecules, biomolecules and neural networks, with application to biological systems; determination of properties of real materials from first principles calculations of electronic structure and dynamics and from spectroscopic and other measurements.
LITERATURE
Introductory written material. Textbooks. Scientific articles.
EXAMINATION
Written reports and oral presentations.