Mesoscopic Physics Meets Quantum Engineering

Quantum mechanics was initially constructed to describe objects on atomic and subatomic scales. However, in the last decades, quantum mechanics has been revisited and its use extended to the study and description of macroscopic distinct states. This is accomplished by modeling basic objects of mesoscopic physics, such as superconducting quantum circuits and low-dimensional structures derived from a two-dimensional electronic gas. In recent years, these devices support the study of fundamental systems such as a two-level quantum system, or qubit, as an object for manipulations and applications. This book will provide an introduction to quantum computation and quantum information, based on quantum physics, solid-state theory, and theory of computing. We will become familiar with this important field and explore how it is inseparably linked to basic notions of physics such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum dynamics. Then we will consider superconducting and mesoscopic systems, as well as a series of phenomena, where important are the spectra quantization, interference, and charge discreteness.This book derives its content from a lecture course designed for graduate students and postdocs who are acquainted with quantum mechanics and statistical physics. In particular, it was developed together with the lecture series taught to 5th year students of the Department of Physics and Technology in V N Karazin Kharkiv National University.

Quantum engineering – the design and fabrication of quantum coherent structures – has emerged as a field in physics with important potential applications. This book provides a self-contained presentation of the theoretical methods and experimental results in quantum engineering. The book covers topics such as the quantum theory of electric circuits, theoretical methods of quantum optics in application to solid state circuits, the quantum theory of noise, decoherence and measurements, Landauer formalism for quantum transport, the physics of weak superconductivity and the physics of two-dimensional electron gas in semiconductor heterostructures. The theory is complemented by up-to-date experimental data to help put it into context. Aimed at graduate students in physics, the book will enable readers to start their own research and apply the theoretical methods and results to their current experimental situation.

This book is a snapshot of the vision shared by outstanding scientists on the key theoretical and experimental issues in Mesoscopic Physics. Quantum properties of electrons in solid state devices and transport in semiconducting and superconducting low-dimensional systems, are discussed, as well as the basis of quantum computing (entanglement, noise decoherence and read-out). Each chapter collects the material presented at a Varenna School course of last year, by leading experts in the field. The reader gets a flavor, how theorists and experimentalists are paving the way to the physical realization of solid state qubits, the basic units of the new logic and memory elements for quantum processing. He will be surprised in finding that mesoscopic solid state devices, which were invented just yesterday ( think of the Single Electron Transistor, or the Cooper Pair Box) are currently used as charge-sensing applications in the equipment of frontier research laboratories. These devices contribute as probing systems to produce evidence on still unsettled questions in topics like the metal-insulator transition in disordered two dimensional systems, quantum Hall conductance in heterostructures, or Kondo conductance in quantum dots.

For upper-level undergraduates and graduate students: an introduction to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, emphasizing aspects essential to an understanding of solid-state theory. A heavy background in mathematics and physics is not required beyond basic courses in calculus, differential equations, and calculus-based elementary physics. Numerous problems (and selected answers), projects, exercises.

"Quantum engineering - the design and fabrication of quantum coherent structures - has emerged as a field in physics with important potential applications. This book provides a self-contained presentation of the theoretical methods and experimental results in quantum engineering. The book covers topics such as the quantum theory of electric circuits, theoretical methods of quantum optics in application to solid state circuits, the quantum theory of noise, decoherence and measurements, Landauer formalism for quantum transport, the physics of weak superconductivity and the physics of two-dimensional electron gas in semiconductor heterostructures. The theory is complemented by up-to-date experimental data to help put it into context. Aimed at graduate students in physics, the book will enable readers to start their own research and apply the theoretical methods and results to their current experimental situation"--

Quantum entanglement (QE) is one of the most, if not the most, mysterious, and yet most promising subjects of current physics. With applications in cryptographic space-to-space, space-to-earth, and fiber communications, in addition to teleportation and quantum computing, QE goes beyond fascination and into the pragmatic spheres of commerce and the military. With the growing population of engineers in need of a transparent, pragmatic, and direct introduction to QE and its applications, this book, the first of its kind, focuses on the practical mathematical tools necessary to handle QE and its requirements to design optical configurations for QE-based systems. Specific applications include satellite networks, space-to-space communications, quantum teleportation, and quantum computing. Key Features The first and only available text on engineering for quantum entanglement. Presents an introduction to the topic and explains the very basic physics concepts. Provides a tour of the relevant mathematics essential to handle quantum entanglement. Provides content to design optical configurations for optical entanglement-based systems in quantum communications and quantum computing. Includes discussions of key practical applications such as space-to-space, fiber and satellite communications. Presents the fascinating subject of quantum interpretations as elucidated by quantum entanglement.

This introduction to quantum mechanics is intended for undergraduate students of physics, chemistry, and engineering with some previous exposure to quantum ideas. Following in Heisenberg’s and Dirac’s footsteps, this book is centered on the concept of the quantum state as an embodiment of all experimentally available information about a system, and its representation as a vector in an abstract Hilbert space. This conceptual framework and formalism are introduced immediately, and developed throughout the first four chapters, while the standard Schrödinger equation does not appear until Chapter 5. The book grew out of lecture notes developed by the author over fifteen years of teaching at the undergraduate level. In response to numerous requests by students, material is presented with an unprecedented level of detail in both derivation of technical results and discussion of their physical significance. The book is written for students to enjoy reading it, rather than to use only as a source of formulas and examples. The colloquial and personal writing style makes it easier for readers to connect with the material. Additionally, readers will find short, relatable snippets about the “founding fathers” of quantum theory, their difficult historical circumstances, personal failings and triumphs, and often tragic fate. This textbook, complete with extensive original end-of-chapter exercises, is recommended for use in one- or two-semester courses for upper level undergraduate and beginning graduate students in physics, chemistry, or engineering.