Current Courses

EE418/518: Quantum Mechanics for Engineers

EE418/518 Syllabus

Course Objectives: The main goals of the EE418/518 course are to teach students the basics of nanostructures, prepare the solid ground for taking courses in nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and NEMS technology that are offered at UB, and educate engineers for the rapidly growing nanoelectronics and nanotechnologies market.

Approach: The overwhelming majority of quantum mechanics courses are taught in a traditional way beginning with the history of the development of quantum mechanics, basic concepts, comparisons between classical and quantum mechanics, theory of operators, and only after that the simplest applications of quantum-mechanical principles are considered. This approach is successful in physics departments where students specialize in science and education but it's inappropriate in schools of engineering and applied sciences with engineering design oriented programs in nanoelectronics.

Here we use a different way of teaching quantum mechanics. Students will acquire and learn quantum-mechanical notions (a) considering numerous examples of real nanostructures, (b) using Java applets, and (c) carrying out lab experiments devoted to main concepts of quantum mechanics. First, students study the fundamentals of quantum mechanics such as wave-particle duality, wave function, quantum states, and quantization. Then apply the quantum-mechanical theory to analysis and design of an artificial atom - a quantum dot (smallest nanostructure), and draw an analogy between the quantum dot and the smallest real atom of hydrogen. Next, we consider more complex nanostructures such as quantum wires, quantum wells, and double-quantum-well diode. In the concluding lectures, a short introduction to technology of nanoscale materials and devices will be presented.


EE423/523: Nanotechnology and Science

EE423/523 Syllabus

Course Objectives: The major goals and objectives are to provide undergraduate and graduate students with knowledge and understanding of nanoelectronics as an important interdisciplinary subject. Through the examples, exercises, educational Java applets, and lab experiments the course will cover electrical properties of nanodevices such as materials and nanostructures, chemically-directed assembly of nanostructures, biomolecules, traditional and nontraditional methods of nanolithography, heterostructures, and nanotubes. Students will learn about resonant-tunneling diodes, transistors, single-electron transfer devices, nano-electromechanical systems, etc.


EE457/557: Optical and Optoelectronic Properties of Nanostructures

EE457/557 Syllabus

Course Objectives: The major goals and objectives are to provide students with knowledge and understanding of nanoelectronics as an important interdisciplinary subject. Through the examples, exercises, virtual labs, hands-on labs, and lectures the course covers in details Optics, Electro-Optics, Nonlinear Optics, and Plasmonics of Quantum Structures, and Optical and Optoelectronic Devices Based on Quantum Structures. A short review of Materials for Nanoelectronics and Optoelectronics and of Electrons in Quantum Structures is given as well. The course is developed on the level of the senior undergraduate and entrance graduate course in Solid State Electronics. Students will also learn how to do optical characterization of nanomaterials and nanodevices.