Filling the gap for comprehensive coverage of the realistic fundamentals and approaches needed to perform cutting-edge research on mesoscopic systems, this textbook allows advanced students to acquire and use the skills at a highly technical, research-qualifying level. Starting with a brief refresher to get all readers on an equal footing, the text moves on to a broad selection of advanced topics, backed by problems with solutions for use in classrooms as well as for self-study. Written by authors with research and teaching backgrounds from eminent institutions and based on a tried-and-tested lecture, this is a must-have for researchers, research students and instructors involved with semiconductor junctions, nanostructures and thin film systems.

Experimental progress over the past few years has made it possible to test a n- ber of fundamental physical concepts related to the motion of electrons in low dimensions. The production and experimental control of novel structures with typical sizes in the sub-micrometer regime has now become possible. In parti- lar, semiconductors are widely used in order to con?ne the motion of electrons in two-dimensional heterostructures. The quantum Hall e?ect was one of the ?rst highlights of the new physics that is revealed by this con?nement. In a further step of the technological development in semiconductor-heterostructures, other arti?cial devices such as quasi one-dimensional ‘quantum wires’ and ‘quantum dots’ (arti?cial atoms) have also been produced. These structures again di?er very markedly from three- and two-dimensional systems, especially in relation to the transport of electrons and the interaction with light. Although the technol- ical advances and the experimental skills connected with these new structures are progressing extremely fast, our theoretical understanding of the physical e?ects (such as the quantum Hall e?ect) is still at a very rudimentary level. In low-dimensional structures, the interaction of electrons with one another and with other degrees of freedoms such as lattice vibrations or light gives rise to new phenomena that are very di?erent from those familiar in the bulk ma- rial. The theoretical formulation of the electronic transport properties of small devices may be considered well-established, provided interaction processes are neglected.

Experimental progress over the past few years has made it possible to test a n- ber of fundamental physical concepts related to the motion of electrons in low dimensions. The production and experimental control of novel structures with typical sizes in the sub-micrometer regime has now become possible. In parti- lar, semiconductors are widely used in order to con?ne the motion of electrons in two-dimensional heterostructures. The quantum Hall e?ect was one of the ?rst highlights of the new physics that is revealed by this con?nement. In a further step of the technological development in semiconductor-heterostructures, other arti?cial devices such as quasi one-dimensional ‘quantum wires’ and ‘quantum dots’ (arti?cial atoms) have also been produced. These structures again di?er very markedly from three- and two-dimensional systems, especially in relation to the transport of electrons and the interaction with light. Although the technol- ical advances and the experimental skills connected with these new structures are progressing extremely fast, our theoretical understanding of the physical e?ects (such as the quantum Hall e?ect) is still at a very rudimentary level. In low-dimensional structures, the interaction of electrons with one another and with other degrees of freedoms such as lattice vibrations or light gives rise to new phenomena that are very di?erent from those familiar in the bulk ma- rial. The theoretical formulation of the electronic transport properties of small devices may be considered well-established, provided interaction processes are neglected.

This volume contains papers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) Dynamic Interactions in Quantum Dot Systems held at Hotel Atrium in Puszczykowo, near Poznan, Poland, May 16-19,2002. The term low-dimensional systems, which is used in the title of this volume, refers to those systems which contain at least one dimension that is intermediate between those characteristic ofatoms/molecules and those ofthe bulk material. Depending on how many dimensions lay within this range, we generally speak of quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum dots. As such an intermediate state, some properties of low-dimensional systems are very different to those of their molecular and bulk counterparts. These properties generally include optical, electronic, and magnetic properties, and all these are partially covered in this book. The main goal of the workshop was to discuss the actual state of the art in the broad area ofnanotechnology. The initial focus was on the innovative synthesis of nanomaterials and their properties such as: quantum size effects, superparamagnetism, or field emission. These topics lead us into the various field based interactions including plasmon- magnetic spin- and exciton coupling. The newer, more sophisticated methods for characterization of nanomaterials were discussed, as well as the methods for possible industrial applications. In general, chemists and physicists, as well as experts on both theory and experiments on nanosized regime structures were brought together, to discuss the general phenomena underlying their fields ofinterest from different points ofview.

This book discusses the essential properties of carbon nanotubes and 2D graphene systems. The book focuses on the fundamental excitation properties of a large range of graphene-related materials, presenting a new theoretical framework that couples electronic properties and e-e Coulomb interactions together in order to thoroughly explore Coulomb excitations and decay rates in carbon-nanotube-related systems.

This book provides an attempt to convey the colorful facets of condensed matter systems with reduced dimensionality. Some of the specific features predicted for interacting one-dimensional electron systems, such as charge- and spin-density waves, have been observed in many quasi-one-dimensional materials. The two-dimensional world is even richer: besides d-wave superconductivity and the Quantum Hall Effect - perhaps the most spectacular phases explored during the last two decades - many collective charge and spin states have captured the interest of researchers, such as charge stripes or spontaneously generated circulating currents. Recent years have witnessed important progress in material preparation, measurement techniques and theoretical methods. Today larger and better samples, higher flux for neutron beams, advanced light sources, better resolution in electron spectroscopy, new computational algorithms, and the development of field-theoretical approaches allow an in-depth analysis of the complex many-body behaviour of low-dimensional materials. The epoch when simple mean-field arguments were sufficient for describing the gross features observed experimentally is definitely over. The Editors' aim is to thoroughly explain a number of selected topics: the application of dynamical probes, such as neutron scattering, optical absorption and photoemission, as well as transport studies, both electrical and thermal. Some of the more theoretical chapters are directly relevant for experiments, such as optical spectroscopy, transport in one-dimensional models, and the phenomenology of charge inhomogeneities in layered materials, while others discuss more general topics and methods, for example the concept of a Luttinger liquid and bosonization, or duality transformations, both promising tools for treating strongly interacting many-body systems.

This book contains contributions on some of the most important and current topics on the physics of low dimensional systems. The main emphasis is on the magnetic properties of surfaces, thin films, and atomic clusters. State-of-the-art techniques are discussed in detail. Techniques for the production and measurement of nanostructures are discussed, and pioneering contributions on the effect on health of these particles are presented. Important studies on semiconductor nanostructures are addressed as well as aerosol systems.

Oaxaca, Mexico, was the place chosen by a large international group of scientists to meet and discuss on the recent advances on the understanding of the physical prop- ties of low dimensional systems; one of the most active fields of research in condensed matter in the last years. The International Symposium on the Physics of Low Dim- sions took place in January 16-20, 2000. The group of scientists converging into the historical city of Oaxaca, in the state of the same name, had come from Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, several places in Mexico, Canada, U. S. A. , England, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland. The presentations at the workshop provided sta- of-art reviews of many of the most important problems, currently under study. Equally important to all the participants in the workshop was the fact that we had come to honor a friend, Hans Christoph Siegmann, on his sixty-fifth birthday. This Festschrift recognizes the intellectual leadership of Professor Siegmann in the field and as a sincere homage to his qualities as an exceptional friend, college and mentor. Those who have had the privilege to work closely with Hans Christoph have been deeply impressed by his remarkable analytic mind as well as by his out of range kindness and generosity. Hans Christoph has contributed to the understanding of the difficult and very important problem of the magnetic properties of finite systems: surfaces, thin films, heterostructures.

This book is a review of physical properties of organic conductors and superconductors. It is amply illustrated and contains numerous data concerning the latest elements and equipment constructed of low-dimensional organic conductors. It is hoped that the book will be stimulating for technologists and designers working on contemporary electronics.

Presenting recent progress in anisotropic 2D materials research, reader is introduced to phosphorene and its arsenic alloys, monochalcogenides of group IV elements in the form of MX (M = Ge, Sn and X = S, Se, Te), low-symmetry transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials such as rhenium disulphide (ReS2) and rhenium diselenide (ReSe2), and organic 2D materials. Providing detailed synthesis protocols and characterization techniques for these various anisotropic 2D materials, readers will learn their specific technological scopes for next generation electronics, optoelectronics and biomedical applications, challenges and future directions. Edited by an leading expert, contributors cover enhanced many-body interactions and high binding energy 1D particle dynamics to showcase design of high-performance optoelectronic devices; anisotropic polariton for designing polariton based laser systems; applications in bio-imaging, cancer diagnosis and therapies, drug delivery and release, and antibacterial performance; and finally, their potential in nano-electro-mechanical devices. Considering all these areas in detail, this book is a useful reference to the scientific communities working in related research fields, especially for materials scientists, chemists, physicists and electronics/electrical/energy engineers. This book may also be of use to those in chemical academia and industry more broadly.