Nanotechnology encompasses the understanding and manipulation of matter with at least one characteristic dimension measured in nanometers with novel, size-dependent physical properties as a result. This course explores the electronic, mechanical and optical properties of material at the nanoscale and their applications in nano-scale devices. Wave-mechanics and wave optics are reviewed and used to understand confinement and energy quantization. The parallels of confined light, mechanical and electron waves are emphasized in terms of resonator physics, and normal modes, resonances and quality factors are disussed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The different energy dispersion of light and electrons are introduced to relate energy and wavelength. Nano-devices, such as nano-resonators and nano- biosensors, and their applications are discussed. Fabrication using top- down and bottom-up methods are discussed, as well as characterization using scanning probe methods, electron microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques. In the labs, students will build digital microfluidics chips, and synthesize plasmonic nanoparticles and quantum dots. The students will use scattering and spectroscopy to characterize the novel optical properties emerging at the nanoscale.

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