Admission requirements
Introductory course on quantum mechanics, and introduction to condensed matter physics (band structure and fermi energy). Attending the MSc Condensed Matter Physics course (in fall) would be beneficial, but not obligatory.
Description
What is so unique about the macroscopic wavefunction of a bosonic condensate?
How can we use superconductivity to study exotic quantum symmetries?
Why does superconductivity play such a crucial role in emerging quantum technologies?
This course aims to address these questions by providing a phenomenological description of the bosonic condensate in superconductors. In particular, you will learn how to think about a superconductor as a macroscopic quantum state, where the wavefunction does not change with the size of the system. You will be introduced to different quantum symmetries in superconductors/superfluids and their surprising consequences.
You will also learn how superconducting quantum devices, such as Josephson junctions, can serve as a platform to create exotic quantum symmetries, which are not yet discovered by themselves in nature. Lastly, we will cover some of the latest research on superconducting materials and devices.
Course Objectives
The student has an intuitive understanding of bosonic condensates, such as superconductors and superfluids, and their macroscopic quantum behaviour.
The student can distinguish between different pairing symmetries in superconductors/superfluids and describe the physical characteristics associated with symmetry class.
The student can describe how superconducting devices, such as Josephson junctions, can be used to create different quantum symmetries.
The student will have examined an example of frontier research related to superconductivity, reflected on it, and communicated their findings to their peers in an oral presentation.
The student can apply the insights from this course to a wide range of challenges in today's quantum technologies and quantum materials research, where superconducting devices and macroscopic coherent states play an integral part.
Timetable
Physics Schedule
For detailed information go to Timetable in Brightspace
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, student seminars and homework exercises.
Course Load
3 EC = 84 uur
Lectures: 7 × 2 = 14 hours
Assessment: 3 hours
Self-study: 67 hours (including homework assignments, and preparation for the exam and oral presentation)
Assessment method
75% comes from the final (written) exam. 25% from 3 exercise sheets and 1 student presentation on a recent research paper, related to the course (usually done in pairs).
Reading list
Material will be made available via Brightspace throughout the course.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for registering for each course component. This can be done via Mystudymap. You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from July onwards; registration for courses in the second semester is possible from December onwards. For more information, see this page
Please note that it is mandatory for all students to register for their exams. This can be done up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the exam or up to five calendar days in case of a retake exam (retake registration opens 30 days before the retake takes place). You cannot participate in the exam or retake without a valid registration in My Studymap
Contact
Contactdetails Teacher(s):Dr. K. Lahabi