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Quantum coherence, quantum statistics, and superconductivity in mesoscopic systems

Research Project
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01.10.2011
 - 30.09.2014

The physics of mesoscopic systems, i.e., electronic structures in the nanometer range, is one of the most active research areas of condensed-matter physics. These systems allow us to study fundamental physics questions, and their understanding is a necessary prerequisite for possible future electronic device applications. The goal of our research is to exploit and analyze quantum interference effects in such electronic circuits. In the last couple of years, new exciting areas have opened up, like nanomechanics, or the interface of ultracold atoms and condensed-matter systems. In particular, our group (about 3 PhD students and 3 Postdocs) plans to study the interplay of electric currents through nanostructures with mechanical degrees of freedom (nanomechanics). We are also interested in fluctuation and noise phenomena: electrical currents are not exactly constant but fluctuate, and these fluctuations contain a great deal of information about the quantum nature of the electrons that carry the current. We will also investigate ultracold atoms which can be used to study quantum coherence and quantum many-body phenomena. Cold atoms can be trapped in so-called optical lattices and show similarities to electrons in a crystal lattice. The great advantage of cold atoms is that the properties of the lattice can be controlled much more easily than in the case of a crystal lattice. Finally, we are also interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics (entanglement, weak measurements in solid-state systems).

Collaborations & Cooperations

2013 - Participation or Organization of Collaborations on an international level
Belzig, Wolfgang, Professor, University of Konstanz, Research cooperation
2011 - Participation or Organization of Collaborations on an international level
Averin, Dima, Professor, SUNY, Stony Brook, Research cooperation
2011 - Participation or Organization of Collaborations on an international level
Fazio, Rosario, Professor, Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Research cooperation

Members (1)

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Christoph Bruder

Principal Investigator