Enquiry for Course Details
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PHYS7750 Physics of nanoelectronics (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof D K Ki, Physics < dkki@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof D K Ki,Physics)
Course Objectives This course is designed to deliver fundamental concepts and principles of quantum transport phenomena in nanoelectronic systems to fresh postgraduate students.
Course Contents & Topics The course will cover various topics in nanoelectronics, such as zero-, one-, and two-dimensional electronic gas systems, quantum dots, graphene and 2D materials, semiconductor heterostructures, quantum Hall effects, Coulomb blockade effects, single electron effects, field effect transistors, phase-coherent interference effects, and more. While most discussions will be made based on experimental findings, the basics of the relevant theories will also be covered using the tight-binding model, basic quantum mechanics, and Landauer-Büttiker formula. The principles and applications of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as low-temperature physics will also be discussed.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 recall basic concepts and knowledge of nanoelectronics, such as electronic band structure, dimensionality, density of states, quantum size/tunneling effect, semiconductor device operation and nanofabrication techniques
CLO 2 identify and compare various transport phenomena occurring at low energy and low dimensions, such as quantum Hall effects, quantum tunneling, Coulomb blockade, Aharonov-Bohm effects, and strong/weak localization effects
CLO 3 understand the physics and applications of low-dimensional electron systems and can explain them effectively to colleagues
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS3351 and PHYS4551
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 N        Examination
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 80.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 40.0 1,2,3
Examination 2-hour written exam 40.0 1,2,3
Test Mid-term test 20.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
Y. Imry, Introduction to mesoscopic physics, Oxford, 1997
T. Heinzel, Mesoscopic Electronics in Solid State Nanostructures, Wiley-VCH, 2003
J.J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, Addison-Wesley, 1994
M. Tinkham, Introduction to Superconductivity, 2nd Edition, Dover, 1996
N. Ashcroft and N. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976
J.K. Jain, Composite Fermions, Cambridge, 2007
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL


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