Quantum Nanosciences and Technologies (NanoQuant)

This module covers the fundamentals of the physics and technology of semiconductor-based components. Most of the course unit focuses on the physics of the components. Drawing on the equations that describe the properties of materials, the main types of junctions are examined (p/n, metal/semiconductor, MIS). Based on this knowledge, the operation of basic components (diodes, transistors) is explained. In the second part, the fundamental building blocks of component manufacturing processes are presented.

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English tutorial course for students in the Master's 1 Physics program who are working toward professional proficiency in scientific English.

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This course is one of the cornerstones of modern physics. It provides a body of knowledge that is strictly necessary for all physics tracks, as it lays the groundwork for the theoretical description of the interaction between the electromagnetic field and elementary quantum systems such as two-level systems, atoms, and molecules. It also provides the knowledge necessary for understanding lasers, modern optical devices, and spectroscopic methods and analyses.

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The purpose of this module is to enable students to compare experimental results with their theoretical knowledge. Particular attention is given to writing up results and presenting them in the form of oral presentations. The work is organized into an eight-hour session for which the students choose a topic. They record their results and analyses in a lab notebook modeled after the protocols used in laboratories. At the end of the semester, students select a topic, which they develop into a final report that they defend orally. This course serves as preparation for the internships students will complete during their program.

Examples of available experiments: optical spectroscopy (IR, visible), gamma, X-ray, and acoustic spectroscopy; low-temperature photoluminescence; near-field spectroscopy (AFM, STM); electron microscopy...

The range of experiments offered covers the areas of physics taught in the various physics tracks. Students must choose from among these experiments those that best align with their interests. Significant effort is made to incorporate new data-acquisition technologies and the use of computer tools to compare experimental results with theory.

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Through two specific examples (X-ray diffraction and vibrations), this module shows in detail how the physical properties of a solid are modeled. The formalism will also be applied to finite systems, such as nanoparticles, and will remain valid for amorphous materials; however, special attention will be given to periodic systems (ranging from linear chains to protein crystals, including graphene and silicon). The concept of reciprocal lattice will naturally arise in connection with this periodicity.

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This course unit covers a review and in-depth exploration of programming techniques, as well as an introduction to computational physics. We will begin with a review of procedural programming using Python 3. We will then take an in-depth look at numerical methods relevant to physics, studying a selection of classical algorithms from numerical analysis and applying them to physics problems.

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This course is designed to introduce and develop several fundamental concepts and tools of non-relativistic quantum physics necessary for understanding the physical processes that describe the interactions between the elementary constituents of matter and radiation. We will also cover second quantization and the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, which provide the ideal framework for the development of quantum field theory and its various applications (e.g., high-energy physics, condensed matter physics).

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Introduction to Advanced Statistical Physics: grand canonical ensemble; quantum statistics; quantum fluids (Bose-Einstein condensation, thermal radiation; Sommerfeld theory); phase transitions; Ising model; mean-field theory; dynamics of complex systems.

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The EU course “Condensed Matter Physics 2: Electronic Properties” is intended for students interested in solid-state physics.

Following on from the course unit “Condensed Matter Physics 1: Structural Properties,” this course unit covers the properties of electrons in crystalline solids, the band structure of electronic energy levels, and the basic concepts of semiconductor physics.

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Internship supervised by a faculty member/researcher in the field of nanophysics and quantum physics.

Dates: May–June

Duration: At least 7 weeks, extendable in July

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Knowing how to collect and process data are essential skills in a scientific and/or technical professional setting. The objective of this course is to address, as effectively as possible, three types of standard professional skills:

· Advanced use of spreadsheets and graphing software (MS Excel, LO-CALC) for scientific and technical purposes

· Network interconnections: infrastructure, the TCP/IP protocol suite, security

· Introduction to relational databases (MS Access, LO-BASE) – concepts and terminology, creating queries, graphical reports, forms.

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Mathematics for Computational Physics. Introduction to tools for the study of partial differential equations (distributions, variational formulation, Sobolev spaces).

Introduction to integral methods and their numerical implementation. Applications to diffraction problems in the harmonic regime.

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This course is designed to provide students with skills in the numerical solution of the Schrödinger equation in order to simulate complex quantum well structures. The course begins with a study of cases where the solution is analytical, followed by cases where the solution is semi-analytical, before moving on to the finite difference (FD) method. Various FD schemes are presented, each accompanied by an evaluation of convergence as a function of key parameters (domain truncation, number of samples, etc.). Finally, examples of concrete physical applications are examined.    

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This lecture unit presents the physical properties of various nanostructures, such as quantum wells, 1D photonic crystals, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. It covers their electronic (structure and transport), vibrational, and optical properties, as well as the radiation-matter interaction.

The goal will be to describe the development of low-dimensional materials and their associated electronic, photonic, and phononic structures, and to study transport phenomena, electron-photon and electron-phonon couplings, excitons, as well as the absorption, emission, and scattering of light.

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This course is an introduction to artificial intelligence for physicists. It aims to explore applications of deep learning using the TensorFlow and Keras libraries. It includes a presentation of examples of how deep learning is used in physics.

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English tutorial course for students in the Master 2 Physics program who are preparing for a career in an English-speaking professional environment in a contemporary context.

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This course unit covers the computer-based solution of electromagnetism problems. Using Maxwell’s equations, it demonstrates how to simulate the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various media. In particular, it includes a detailed implementation of simulations based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.

An introduction to diffraction problems in the harmonic regime caused by a bounded obstacle will be provided for the case of scalar waves in 2D and 3D.

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This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

• X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
• optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
• local probe microscopy

  This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

  • X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
  • optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
  • local probe microscopy

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This course unit is specific to the NanoQuant track and provides high-level foundational training in the field of quantum technologies—that is, current and future developments in new technologies based on concepts such as quantum coherence and entanglement, which enable functionalities and sensitivities that surpass those of their classical counterparts.

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A laboratory internship lasting at least five months, supervised by a faculty member or researcher in the fields of nanophysics or quantum physics.

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This course is a hands-on training program in the main techniques of nanoscale characterization and nanotechnology:

• AFM
• SEM
• Photoluminescence
• X-ray diffraction
• Ellipsometry
• Optical Microscopy
• Source meter
• Capacitance Meter
• Manufacturing Processes for Microdevices in Cleanrooms

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