6 ECTS Credits — Semester 2 — Minor
Macroscopic quantum phenomena refer to the observable effects of quantum mechanics in large-scale systems that are typically not associated with quantum behavior. These phenomena are surprising and counterintuitive because they involve the interaction of quantum systems with classical systems, leading to quantum effects on a macroscopic scale. Some well-known examples of macroscopic quantum phenomena include superconductivity, superfluidity, and quantum entanglement in macroscopic objects.
Syllabus
This course provides an introduction to the spectacular macroscopic manifestations of quantum physics in matter. First, we will introduce the physics of superconductivity, superfluidity and condensates. At very low temperatures, various mechanisms can lead to macroscopic collective quantum states that have surprising properties such as zero electrical resistance, magnetic levitation or the absence of viscosity. We will show how a common phenomenon can give rise to these properties in very different systems. In the second part, we will show how the classical laws of electricity are modified at the mesoscopic scale where quantum effects play an important role and can have macroscopic consequences. Finally, the last part of the course will be devoted to an introduction to the important modern applications in quantum communications and quantum computing which are very active fields at the crossroads between many disciplines (information theory, mathematics and material science).
Suggested bibliography
- P. M. Chaikin and T. C. Lubensky, Principles of Condensed Matter Physics, Cambridge University Press
- J F Annett, Superconductivity, Superfluids, and Condensates, Oxford University Press
- S. Datta, Quantum Transport: Atom to Transistor, Cambridge University Press
- M. Le Bellac, A short introduction to Quantum information and quantum computation, Cambridge University Press
- M. A. Nielsen, and I. L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Cambridge University Press
Prerequisites
- The prerequisites are usually taught at the level of the final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Physics: essentially Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics (Book : Quantum Mechanics by C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, F. Laloë, Vols. I and II, Wiley). Having taken Quantum Solid State Physics in the first semester is an advantage.