Informatie opleidingsonderdeel

Quantum theory of molecules and materials (4897)
Contact Person :	Prof. dr. Milos NESLADEK


Coordinating lecturer :	Prof. dr. Milos NESLADEK

Co-lecturer :	dr. Abhishek SHUKLA
	Prof. dr. Filippo MORINI

Language of instruction : English

Sequentiality

Advising sequentiality bound on the level of programme components

Advice

It is advised that this course is taken in tandem with specialisation courses '4908 Quantum sensors for cross-disciplinary fields', '4909 Advanced quantum effects in biology', '4910 Quantum materials for breakthrough technologies'.

Degree programme

Study hours

Credits

P1 SBU

P1 SP

2^nd Chance Exam¹

Tolerance²

Final grade³

2nd year Master of Materiomics traject opleidingsonderdelen

Optional

3,0

Yes

Numerical

Learning outcomes

EC	EC 1. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme has an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of functional materials, especially with regard to the relation between composition, structure and functional properties at all length scales and in their operating surroundings.
	DC	DC1.2 The student is able to explain properties of materials and apply this knowledge.
	DC	DC1.6 The student can understand properties from the structure.
EC	EC 4. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to autonomously consult, summarise and critically interpret international scientific literature, reference it correctly and use it to explore and identify new domains relevant to the field.
	DC	DC4.1 The student is able to look up and select appropriate international scientific literature from a variety of disciplines related to materials-related problems or research questions.
	DC	DC4.2 The student is able to correctly and completely reference to scientific literature.
	DC	DC4.3 The student is able to critically interpret, evaluate, compare, and/or summarize relevant scientific literature related to materials-related problems or research questions.
EC	EC 6. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to communicate in both written and spoken form and to take a well-argued position in a scientific discussion, going from a general to a specialist level, adapted to the target audience.
	DC	DC6.1 The student is able to report orally and in writing in an adequate manner.
EC	EC 10. The graduate of the Master of Materiomics programme is able to autonomously acquire new knowledge and monitor, evaluate and adjust one’s learning process.
	DC	DC10.1 The student can reflect on their own strengths and areas for improvement and use feedback to improve their own work and competences.
	DC	DC10.3 The student is able to autonomously acquire, process, and critically interpret new information.

EC = learning outcomes DC = partial outcomes BC = evaluation criteria

Prerequisites

The student should have prior knowledge of the following general topics in physics/chemistry:

basic concepts from quantum mechanics/chemistry
the concepts of chemical bonding and crystal structure
basic knowledge of the electronic structure of molecules and solids

Content

In this specialisation course, the student gains theoretical insights into phenomena originating from the quantum mechanical reality of molecules and materials from which also quantum technologies are derived. Both basic and advanced quantum material properties are considered. To this end, the description of electrons in materials and molecules is explained in detail from the physical and chemical point of view. Further on, attention is paid to quantum devices and characterisation techniques. The topics covered in this course are divided into three modules:

Module 1: Electrons in molecules and solids

Introduction to group theory and symmetry groups
Electrons in molecules, bonds, NMR chemical shift
First and second quantisation, density matrix

Module 2: Electronic structure in periodic materials

Electron-phonon/spin-orbital, phonon-photon interactions etc.
Excitations and their lifetimes (e.g. plasmons, spin states,...)
Low-dimensional phenomena: 1D and 2D materials, Dirac matter
Superconductivity, Josephson functions and SQUIDs

Module 3: Advanced topics and quantum devices

Symmetry breaking and topological effects (e.g. Jahn-Teller distortion, Berry phase, ...)
Spin chains & glasses, Frustrated spin systems
Quantum phase transitions

Organisational and teaching methods

Organisational methods
	Expert Lecture ✔
	Lecture ✔
	Response lecture ✔
	Seminar ✔
	Small group session ✔
Teaching methods
	Discussion/debate ✔
	Educational learning conversation ✔
	Exercises ✔
	Paper ✔
	Report ✔
	Seminar ✔

Evaluation

Period 1 Credits 3,00

Evaluation method

Written evaluaton during teaching periode

30 %

Transfer of partial marks within the academic year

✔

Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic year

The student obtains at least 10/20.

Paper

✔

Oral explanation

✔

Written exam

70 %

Transfer of partial marks within the academic year

✔

Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic year

The student obtains at least 10/20.

Closed-book

✔

Additional information

Students with exam contract submit and defend the paper orally in the exam period instead of the teaching period.

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt

Compulsory textbooks (bookshop)

Symmetry in Chemistry,Hans H. Jaffe, Milton Orchin,Dover Publications,9780486421810

Compulsory course material

All slides, readers, papers and other supporting materials will be provided on Blackboard.

Quantum theory of molecules and materials (4897)