ECE 50632 - Introduction to Quantum Transport

Note:

This is a 5-week course that covers the material from the middle part of ECE 50653.

Course Details

Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 1

Counts as:

  • EE Elective
  • CMPE Selective - Special Content

Normally Offered:

Each Fall, Spring, Summer

Campus/Online:

On-campus and online

Requisites:

MA 26200 or (MA 26500 and MA 26600)

Requisites by Topic:

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

Catalog Description:

This course introduces the Schrodinger equation, uses the tight-binding method to discuss the concept of bandstructure and E(k) relations, along with simple quantum transport problems. No prior background in quantum mechanics or statistical mechanics is assumed.

Required Text(s):

  1. Lessons from Nanoelectronics, Part B: Quantum Transport (provided in full text in Brightspace) , 2nd Edition , Datta, S. , World Scientific , 2017 , ISBN No. 13: 978-9813224605

Recommended Text(s):

None.

Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated an ability to:
  1. Explain tight-binding model, reciprocal lattice and evaluate dispersion relation. [1]
  2. Explain NEGF equations, dephasing, quantum point contact and evaluate quantities like the transmission, the self-energy and spectral functions. [1]
  3. Use Pauli spin matrices and evaluate quantities like spin density. [1]

Lecture Outline:

Weeks Topics
Weeks 1 & 2 Unit 1, Schrodinger Equation: Wave Equation, Differential to Matrix Equation, Dispersion Relation, Counting States, Beyond 1-D, Lattice with a Basis, Graphene, Reciprocal Lattice/Valleys,
Week 3 Unit 2, Contact-ing Schrodinger: Semiclassical Model, Quantum Model, NEGF Equations, Scattering Theory
Week 4 Unit 3, More Examples: Resonant Tunneling, Dephasing, Additional Examples
Week 5 Unit 4, Spin Transport: Magnetic Contacts, Rotating Contacts, Vectors and Spinors, Spin Density/Current, Spin Voltage, Spin Circuits

Assessment Method:

Students in this course will be evaluated by exams. (3/2022)