Introduction to the Physics of Correlated Electrons
A.A.Golubov
A number of modern materials have electronic and magnetic properties which cannot be described by a semiclassical approach. Examples are low-dimensional and disordered metals and semiconductors, f- and d-electron intermetallics and transition metal compounds such as high temperature superconductors. These materials are characterized by strong interactions between the charge carriers and are generally called correlated electronic systems. The correlations are either due to direct electron-electron interactions or mediated by other degrees of freedom like random impurity potentials, lattice vibrations (phonons) or spin excitations. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the physics of correlated electronic systems.
The following topics will be addressed:
- weak localization and anomalous magnetoresistance
- resonant tunneling and variable range hopping
- Mott and Anderson localization: metal-insulator transitions
- unconventional superconductivity
- correlated electrons in nanostructures: Kondo physics
- quantum Hall effect
- noise in mesoscopic systems
Experimental aspects and qualitative explanations of the phenomena will be emphasized. Theoretical issues will be addressed on qualitative level, avoiding the use of complex mathematical methods. Therefore the knowledge of basic quantum mechanics would be sufficient. At the same time, it is strongly adviced to follow the courses ‘Theorie van de vaste stof’, ‘Nanophysics’ and ‘Toegepaste Quantum Mechanica’ prior this course.
Study material:
- Handouts
- Books:
N.F.Mott and E.A.Davis ‘Electron Processes in Non-Crystalline Materials’, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1979.
Y. Imry ‘Introduction to Mesoscopic Physics’, Oxford University Press, 1997.
V.F.Gantmakher ‘Electrons and Disorder in Solids’, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 2005.