Low–dimensional nanostructures
The lecture gives an introduction into the physics and properties of nanomaterials. Of particular importance are objects with reduced dimensions, e.g., two–, one–, or zero–dimensional structures whose properties are different from macroscopic materials. The restriction in space to less than three dimensions allows designing novel devices with specific functions. In the center of interest is the atomic and electronic structure which governs most of the properties of nanostructures.
The lecture starts with an introduction into low–dimensional structures. Two–dimensional structures are surfaces, interfaces, thin layers, graphene–like sheets, and quantum wells. Further reduction of dimensions leads us to one–dimensional materials which are nanowires, nanotubes, atom chains, or quantum wires. Finally, quasi–zero–dimensional objects such as nanoparticles, few–atom clusters, and quantum dots are discussed.
Once the atomic and electronic structures of low–dimensional materials are known, their
properties have to be discussed. The most important are the electronic, the optical, the
magnetic, the thermal, and the mechanical properties. Finally, an overview of some of the
most important techniques of nanocharacterization that are applied to determine the
properties of nanomaterials are presented.