Transport Properties in Carbon Nanotubes

This chapter focuses on the general theory of the electron transport properties of carbon nanotubes, yielding an overview of theoretical models. It is organized in five sections describing the results of the research activity performed in electronic/electrical properties modelling. The first section, in addition to describing the scope of the review and providing an introduction to its content, yields as well a general introduction on carbon nanotubes. Sect. 'Electronic Structure of Single-Wall Nanotubes' describes the general theory of the electron transport in carbon nanotubes, starting from the band structure of graphene. Sect. 'Quantum Transport in Carbon Nanotubes' focuses on the quantum transport in carbon nanotubes, including ballistic transport, Coulomb-blockade regime, Luttinger Liquid theory. Sect. 'Results and Experiments' reports results and experimental evidence of the models decribed. Finally, Sect. 'Superconducting transition' addresses the issue of superconductivity transitions in carbon nanotubes

Correlated Nanoscopic Josephson Junctions

We discuss correlated lattice models with a time-dependent potential across a barrier and show how to implement a Josephson-junction-like behavior. The pairing occurs by a correlation effect enhanced by the symmetry of the system. In order to produce the effect we need a mild distortion which causes avoided crossings in the many-body spectrum. The Josephson-like response involves a quasi-adiabatic evolution in the time-dependent field. Besides, we observe an inverse-Josephson (Shapiro) current by applying an AC bias; a supercurrent in the absence of electromotive force can also be excited. The qualitative arguments are supported by explicit exact solutions in prototype 5-atom clusters with on-site repulsion. These basic units are then combined in ring-shaped systems, where one of the units sits at a higher potential and works as a barrier. In this case the solution is found by mapping the low-energy Hamiltonian into an effective anisotropic Heisenberg chain. Once again, we present evidence for a superconducting flux quantization, i.e. a Josephson-junction-like behavior suggesting the build-up of an effective order parameter already in few-electron systems. Some general implications for the quantum theory of transport are also briefly discussed, stressing the nontrivial occurrence of asymptotic current oscillations for long times in the presence of bound states.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, to appear in J. Phys. - Cond. Ma

Characterization of aluminium nitride nanostructures by XANES and FTIR spectroscopies with synchrotron radiation

We investigated different AlN nano-systems using spectroscopic methods. Experiments were performed at the Synchrotron Radiation Facility of the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati using both XANES (x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) techniques in order to investigate materials with both interesting tribological and electronic properties. Comparisons have been performed between measurements by standard x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption (XRS) at the K-edge of Al, a spectroscopy method sensitive to the local order and correlated to the local and empty density of states of this wide band-gap semiconductor. Preliminary XAS simulations at the Al K edge are also presented. Correlations between XRD and XAS have been drawn, since x-ray absorption reveals structural information complementary to that addressed by x-ray diffraction. Moreover, a comparison has been performed by infrared (IR) absorption both in the mid- and in the far-IR ranges between different AlN forms: namely, powders, nanoparticles and nanotubes. Data clearly show changes connected with the electronic properties and the optical phonon modes of AlN nano-systems

Recent Progress on the Sum over Paths Approach in Quantum Mechanics Education

In this paper, we present an overview of recent developments in the Feynman sum over paths approach for teaching introductory quantum mechanics to high school students and university undergraduates. A turning point in recent research is identified in the clarification of the distinction between the time-dependent and time-independent approaches, and it is shown how the adoption of the latter has allowed new educational reconstructions to proceed much farther beyond what had previously been achieved. It is argued that sum over paths has now reached full maturity as an educational reconstruction of quantum physics and offers several advantages with respect to other approaches in terms of leading students to develop consistent mental models of quantum phenomena, achieving better conceptual understanding and a higher degree of longitudinal integration of knowledge

Particle tracks in a cloud chamber: historical photographs as a context for studying magnetic force

We present a sequence of experiments aimed at exploring magnetic force. The activity sequence was organized into three main phases, each starting from an experiment. The first phase aimed to help students understand the direction and magnitude of the magnetic force experienced by current-carrying wires located in a homogeneous magnetic field; the second referred to the study of magnetic force acting on electrons emitted by a cathode and moving through a homogeneous magnetic field; finally, students were asked to analyse the sub-nuclear particle tracks in cloud and streamer chambers in real experiments, based on the experience they acquired during previous work with digital photographs. The activity sequence was designed for students on introductory physics courses or in advanced high-school classes and was implemented in five high-school classes (approximately 100 students). Our results compared with those reported in the literature indicate that students' understanding of the direction and magnitude of magnetic force improved markedly and that some typical difficulties were overcome