Exciting nanostructures: Characterizing advanced confined systems

The developments in our society in terms of computing power, sensing, and alternative energy demand new generations of building blocks for future optical and electrical applications with higher efficiencies and lower costs. In the recent years enormous progress has been made in defining nanostructures and in understanding their physical properties. Nowadays, it is possible not only to prepare spherical, zero-dimensional nanoparticles, but also one-dimensional nanorods, two-dimensional nanosheets and hybrid materials. Structural design aims on developing of sophisticated core-shell and Janus nanoparticles, doped materials, and materials with specifically modified surfaces. Shape and structure have a strong influence on their physical properties which results mainly from their large surface-to-volume ratio and/or from the quantum confinement of their electrons and holes – but also plasmonic effects play a big role. The nanoobjects of various shapes can be further utilized as building blocks for even more sophisticated 2D or 3D assemblies. Scientifically, low-dimensional objects also represent exceptionally interesting model systems which allow the extension of classical and the development of alternative concepts on a new field of physics with ground-breaking insights. Examples are single-electron transistors, Coulomb blockade, ballistic transport over micrometers in length, and continuously tunable optical properties. To produce nanomaterials with new, tailored properties it is indispensable to understand the synthesis mechanisms in detail.

In this summer school the basics of the preparation of nanostructures, the resulting physical properties, their optoelectronic applications, and theoretical methods will be reviewed. A range of characterization techniques with a special emphasis on spectroscopy will be introduced. The summer school provides an ideal forum for Master and PhD students to become acquainted with the topic and to initiate further discussions. The participants are expected to present their own work in the form of posters. For the application for participation an abstract is required.

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