Quantum Physics and Applications

Inadequacy of classical mechanics, de-Broglie concept of matter waves, Davisson and Germer experiment, wave packet, phase velocity, group velocity, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and its applications, time-dependent and time-independent Schrodinger wave equations, particle confined in one dimensional box, wave function and its physical interpretation.

Free electron theory, Fermi-Dirac distribution, energy bands in solids, band gap, conductors, semiconductors and insulators, effective mass, density of states, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, conductivity of semiconductors, Fermi level.

Quantum Computing and Communication: Quantum computation, quantum states, quantum superposition, quantum entanglement, decoherence, quantum bits (qubits), physical realization of qubits (solid state qubits, photonics qubits), basics of quantum gates, single-qubit gate, multi-qubit gate, quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution (QKD).

Photonics Fiber optics: Fundamental idea about optical fiber, acceptance angle, acceptance cone, numerical aperture, principle of light propagation in optical fiber, attenuation and attenuation coefficient in fibre. Laser: Interaction of radiation with matter (absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission), principle of laser operation, Einstein’s coefficients, Ruby laser, He-Ne laser, laser applications.

Temperature dependence of resistivity and critical field in superconducting materials, Meissner effect, Type I and Type II superconductors, persistent current, high temperature superconductors, properties, applications of superconductors. Nano-materials: Introduction and properties of nano-materials, basic concept of quantum dots, quantum wires and quantum well, applications of nano-materials.