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
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
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 enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Contactdetails Teacher(s):Dr. K. Lahabi
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.