Quantum Physics for Advanced Materials Engineering

Master's program "Quantum Physics for Advanced Materials Engineering" is devoted to the study of new physical phenomena discovered innanostructured materials and quantum devices created last 20-30 years in the search for components for quantumelectronics. At the same time the program addresses the basic physical principlesof electronic systems and devices of quantum electronics, as well as some importantmanufacturing techniques and measurements of physical and chemical characteristicsofquantum-sized structures and materials. The program is designed forstudents trained in the amount of university courses in general physics and introduction to theoretical physics for a Bachelors, whichincludes the courses: theoretical mechanics and the theory of elasticity,electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and statistical physics. The programdoes not involve a starting special training of students in thecondensed matter physics,, because it includes basic courses in:1) modern quantum physics of solids, 2) electronic theoryofmetals, 3) technology and materials of quantum electronics, 4)spectroscopic methods of materials characterization.

The urgency and necessity: A distinctive feature of this Masters program is to focus on the study of new physical phenomena in quantum-sized materials and devices, all of which are overlooked in traditional courses of solid state physics. These objects of study appeared in the last 20-30 years due to development of tools and methods of measurement and conversion of properties of materials in the nanometer range of distances. Although the physical phenomena and processes observed in the new materials and nanostructures are described in the framework of well-established fundamental concepts of quantum and classical physics, they could not become an object of study of traditional training courses on condensed matter physics, which were created in the middle of the twentieth century, simply because most of these facilities and adequate measurement tools for their research were not yet developed. The circle of new physical phenomena studied in special courses of this master's program includes the effects of size quantization in low-dimensional structures, in particular: the quantum Hall effect, quantum charge fluctuations, Coulomb blockade and Landauer quantum conductance of the contacts of atomic size, the Wigner-Dyson statistics of electronic energy levels in the nanoclusters, the Rabi oscillations in two-level systems, the spectra of quantum dots, wells and wires in a magnetic field, phonons in fractal structures, Einstein modes in thermoelectric semiconductor materials with complex crystal cell, etc.

Developing skills: This master's program enables students to orient themselves in the modern scientific and applied research and development of quantum-sized materials and devices through the acquisition of skills in both theoretical calculations in the field of quantum physics of nanosystems as well as experimental measurements using modern equipment in the field of electron and scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy.

Basic courses:

Modern quantum physics of solids (1 st semester) introduces into : different aspects of modern solid state physics, including phenomena in the objects of atomic size, including those considered in the following topics: quantum Hall effect, graphene and carbon nanotubes, Landauer quantum conductance of atomic size contacts, quantum magnets (spin chains), magnetism of frustrated systems, magnetic semiconductors, including silicon doped with manganese, colossal magnetoresistance, quantum phase transitions, the low-energy excitations in disordered media and fractal structures, granular conductors, metals with heavy fermions, the Kondo semiconductors, quasicrystals and structurally complex alloys;

Electron theory of metals (1 st semester) introduces into: basic methods and results of the electron theory of metals, that are in the focus of the current research of quantum properties of solids and use the concept of Landau quasi-particles and Fermi-liquid theory to describe the properties of normal metals; description of phenomena in superconductors, based on the concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking and Bose-condensation of Cooper pairs in the framework of the theory of Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer, with application of the equations of the Ginzburg and Landau; foundations of the Green's functions technique and its applications for prediction and interpretation of experiments involving the scattering of photons, neutrons, muons and measuring the current-voltage characteristics of the tunneling microcontacts;

Technologies and Materials of Quantum Electronics (2 nd semester) introduces into: physical properties of basic semiconductor materials and methods of nanotechnology in relation to the creation of the base elements of nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, quantum devices, in particular, including the study of changes in the electrical and optical properties of bulk materials when they are produced in the form of low-dimensional structures (quantum wells, wires and dots) due to the effects of quantum-size effect; with the emphasis on C, Si, solid solutions GeXSi1 -X , compounds and solid solutions 26 and A3B5; also considered are basic technologies of manufacturing of quantum-sized structures: liquid phase epitaxy, molecular beam epitaxy, vapor phase epitaxy of organometallic compounds, nanolithography, self-organization of quantum wires and dots; outline of the use of low-dimensional structures in the devices of micro-and nanoelectronics; also considered are emitting diodes and lasers for the infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectral regions, photodetectors and transistors;

Spectroscopic methods for analysis of materials (1 st semester) introduces into: the fundamentals of modern spectroscopic methods of analysis of materials, such as Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XRF), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning ion microscopy (SIM), i.e. methods that allow us to investigate elemental, chemical composition, atomic structure, structural perfection of the surfaces of solids, surface layers, interphase boundaries and nanostructures.

Special courses : familiarize students with basic modern areas of theoretical physics research in nanosystems, in including low-dimensional systems:

Quantum electronic properties of nanosystems (3rd semester) introduces into : theory of electronic quantum phenomena in nanosystems: random Hamiltonian matrices of Wigner-Dyson and thermodynamics of nanoclusters, Peierls transitions in quasi one-dimensional conductors, transitions of Ising and Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless in two-dimensional lattice systems, the theory of spin fluctuations in one-dimensional Ising chain, the theory of Landauer quantum conductance of quantum point contact;

Physics of liquid-crystal membranes (3rd semester) introduces into: physics of liquid crystals and its applications to the theory of lipid membranes, in particular, into fundamentals of elasticity of liquid crystals adapted to describe bilayer membranes, thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transitions in multicomponent systems, Gibbs phase diagrams and various two-dimensional lattice models; basic theory of wetting, adapted to biomembranes, mechanisms of protein-lipid interactions and conditions of formation of macroscopic wetting films, the dependence of the rate of cellular processes on the energy of forming membrane structures using exo-and endocytosis as example;

Physics of Low-Dimensional Systems (2 nd semester) introduces into: low-dimensional systems - quasi-two-dimensional quantum wells, one-dimensional quantum wires and quasi zero-dimensional quantum dots, in particular, with the quantum-mechanical phenomena in such systems and the influence of external electric and magnetic fields, methods of computer modeling and calculations from first principles of parameters of the low-dimensional systems: resonant frequencies, the energy spectra and wave functions of electronic and excitonic systems with carriers incoupled quantum wells and coupled quantum dots; evolution of the spectrum and restructuring of the spin states of molecules consisting of horizontally and vertically coupled quantum dots;

Experimental Methods in the physics of low-dimensional systems (2-nd semester) introduces into: methods of experimental studies of transport and magnetic properties of solids, including: galvanomagnetic effects (magnetoresistance, Hall effect, de Haas-van Alphen effect, Shubnikov - de Haas effect), electrodynamics of metals, nuclear magnetic resonance, nuclear gamma-resonance; equipment and experimental techniques of measurement of weak signals in the presence of noise, resistance measurement, thermometery, application of high magnetic fields; methods of choice of appropriate measurement technology for research, experimental design, design scheme of the experimental setup, processing and interpretation of the results of the experiment, the course also teaches methods of analysis of surfaces of solids, including: classification of methods of analysis of materials surface, ion-beam probe (inverse Rutherford scattering, channeling, mass spectroscopy of secondary ions), electron-beam probe (characteristic loss spectroscopy, secondary electron emission, Auger spectroscopy), electromagnetic radiation probe, tunneling microscopy;

Phase diagrams of multicomponent systems (3rd semester) introduces into: analysis of phase diagrams of multicomponent systems, including applied to real materials and processes based on software packet calculation methods Thermo-Calc, as well as the original techniques focused on the use of widespread program EXCEL; methods of solution of the following tasks: analysis of phase composition of multicomponent materials at different temperatures; graphical estimate and calculation of the liquidus, solidus, and other critical temperatures of phase transformations; construction of insulated and polythermal cuts of triple, quadruple and five fingers systems using both graphical and computational methods; calculation of the mass and volume fractions of phases in multicomponent systems, a critical analysis of information on phase diagrams and finding errors in the prediction of phase equilibria in unexplored multicomponent systems.

Electronic properties of quantum confined semiconductor heterostructures (2nd semester) introduces into: physics of low dimensional quantum confined heterostructures, that are the structures where the carrier motion is restricted in one or more directions at the distances of the order of de Broglie wavelength; electron transport and optical transitions in low dimensional electronic systems, and the difference between the electronic properties of low dimensional structures and those of bulk semiconductors; applications of quantum dots and wells in photovoltaics and laser techniques.

Introduction to path integral methods in condensed matter physics (2nd semester) motivation and contents: The idea of the course is to get students acquainted with path integral approach to problems of contemporary condensed matter physics. The aim is to give students firm command of this approach via carefully selected examples and problems. The course contains mathematical digression into complex calculus, the basics of second quantization, field quantization, path integral description of quantum statistical mechanics, finite temperature perturbation theory, theory of linear response, basics of renormalization group analysis and effective field theory. The final project consists of the theoretical description of single electron transistor via effective Ambegaokar-Eckern-Schoen action.

Courses in experimental research methods help students to get an idea of materials for prospective elementary base of quantum electronics, as well as on the possibilities of measurement methods:

spectroscopy,

tunneling microscopy,

scanning ion microscopy,

the accuracy, sensitivity, locality, and applicability of different measurement methods for the study of nanomaterials.

Focus of lecture courses are new materials and modern quantum devices. List of new materials studied in the course of the program includes:

graphene and carbon nanotubes

quantum magnets - atomic spin chain

magnetic semiconductors - silicon doped with manganese;

semiconductor materials based on solid solutions of germanium in silicon

disordered media and fractal structures aerogels, granular conductors,

heavy fermionic metals, the Kondo semiconductors,

quasicrystals and structurally complex thermionic materials based on bismuth telluride.

Studied electronic devices and appliances include:

tunnel contact of atomic size,

magnetic switches on the basis of manganites with colossal magnetoresistance

Josephson junctions

emitting diodes and lasers for the infrared, visible and ultraviolet, photodetectors, transistors.

Studied manufacturing technologies of quantum-sized materials:

liquid-phase epitaxy,

molecular-beam epitaxy,

vapor-phase epitaxy from organometallic compounds,

nanolithography,

self-organization of quantum wires and dots.

An Applicants Dossier must include: a. Application form, b. A scanned copy of the passport, c. A scanned copy of the Diploma and transcripts, d. An English or Russian translation of the Diploma and the transcripts (in cases when the Diploma is not in English or Russian), e. Cover Letter (1-2 pages), f. CV, and g. TOEFL or other English language proficiency certificates (if any).TOEFL score of at 525 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) English Language Requirements TOEFL paper-based test score : 525

Special offer for the first enrollment into MISiS International Master Programs:
All applicants willing to be accepted into one of the proposed Master Programs in the Fall/Spring Semester will be awarded an educational annual grant of $5, 000 to cover the tuition fee.

The decision to award is taken by the Admissions Committee on the basis of the Applicants Dossier and is taken according to the following Eligibility Criteria:

• GPA for the B.A. period of study,
• Language proficiency,
• Scientific publications,
• Awards, honors, and distinctions, and
• Personal and professional motivation spelt out in the Cover Letter.

The final rate of an Applicants Dossier will be published on the web-site of the International Master Programs not later than 7 days after the closure of the Admissions.

Applicants whose dossiers will be rated at the first 10% positions on the Dossier list will receive an annual educational grant of $10,000.

Educational grant will not be given if:

• an Applicants Dossier is submitted after the deadline,
• an Applicants Dossier is not complete/there are documents missing.

International Student Scholarship Program

The National University of Science and Technology “MISiS” is excited to announce a new competitive scholarship program open to full-time international students* pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The International Student Scholarship Program has been created within the framework of the “Program to Increase the Competitiveness of the National University of Science and Technology “MISiS” Among Leading Global Scientific Educational Centers.”

International Student Scholarship benefits include:

• Free tuition to the National University of Science and Technology “MISiS” during the entire program of study
• Priority for rooms in student residence halls
• A stipend that student will use to cover housing
• A stipend that student will use to pay for mandatory health insurance

Who May Apply:

There are two different target groups that are eligible to participate in the International Student Scholarship Program.

Group I: Full-time graduate students pursuing a degree in a technical field or students who have been conditionally accepted into a technical field degree program but need to improve their Russian language skills before entering the program. This group also includes Master’s dual degree program students.

Group II:Exchange graduate students from partner universities studying or participating in one of the training programs taught in English at MISiS.

How to Apply:

To be considered for an International Student Scholarship, applicants must send the following documents to MISiS by 10 June 2014. All documents must be submitted via email to mp@misis.ru with the subject heading “International Scholarship Program_Last name_First name”

• Completed application with an attached color passport photograph
• Copies of diploma(s) and transcript(s) from all previous academic institutions
• Certified Russian translations of educational documents. They must be notarized or they must be authenticated by the Consular Department of the Embassy of the Russian Federation
• Cover letter in English or Russian
• Letters of recommendation (for master's degree applicants only)
• Copies of documents (certificates or other notifications of having won international and national (city-wide or other) academic competitions, information on scientific publications, or participation in innovative activities
• Copy of the biographical information page of the passport which will be used by the international student to enter the Russian Federation, with a validity date not less than 18 months from the start date on the academic entry visa