Quantum Transport Course | Mesoscopic Physics | IISER TVM
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 25 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Physics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unveiling the Quantum World of Electrical Transport
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of Quantum Transport, a fascinating field where the classical rules of electricity break down and the wave-like, probabilistic nature of particles takes center stage. This detailed blog article outlines a comprehensive 12-week postgraduate course designed and taught by Prof. Madhu Thalakulam at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram.
Course Instructor: Prof. Madhu Thalakulam
Leading this journey into the mesoscopic realm is an expert with distinguished academic and research credentials:
- Current Position: Associate Professor, School of Physics, IISER Thiruvananthapuram.
- 2012-2019: Assistant Professor, School of Physics, IISER Thiruvananthapuram.
- 2007: Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, USA.
- Post-Doctoral Research: University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA & Quantum Phenomena Dept., Sandia National Laboratory, USA.
Research Expertise
Prof. Thalakulam's research interests perfectly align with the course content, ensuring teachings grounded in cutting-edge experimental work:
- Transport in nanoscale devices (QPCs, quantum dots, superconducting junctions).
- Quantum dot spin qubits: Single spin manipulation and detection.
- Quantum electrical measurement and back action.
- Devices on van der Waals materials and heterostructures.
About the Quantum Transport Course
Conventional transport theory often relies on a classical or semi-classical approach, using quantum-derived parameters like effective mass as inputs. Quantum Transport is different. It delves into systems so small that the quantum nature of electrons—their wave functions and discrete energy levels—directly dictates how electricity flows.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the exotic phenomena that emerge in mesoscopic systems (sizes between the macroscopic world and the atomic scale), including:
- Quantum Tunneling & Conductance Quantization
- Quantum Hall Effects & Flux Quantization
- Aharonov-Bohm Effect & Universal Conductance Fluctuations
- Coulomb Blockade & Single-Electron Charging
- Kondo Effect & Josephson Effects
Who Should Take This Course?
Intended Audience: Final-year M.Sc. or integrated BS-MS students and Ph.D. students in Physics or related fields.
Prerequisites: A solid foundation in Introductory Quantum Mechanics and Introductory Solid State Physics (Condensed Matter Physics-I & Quantum Mechanics-I level).
Career Relevance: The course equips students for advanced research in pivotal areas like solid-state quantum computing, quantum sensing, and electrical metrology. This knowledge is highly valued by industries and research labs at the forefront of technology.
Industries Supporting This Field
- IBM
- Philips Semiconductor
- NTT Japan
- SQC Sydney
- D-Wave Systems
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, Quantum confinement effects, Density of states |
| Week 2 | Surface states & band bending, Metal-semiconductor contacts, Semiconductor heterostructures |
| Week 3 | 2D electron systems, Electrostatic quantum confinement, Device fabrication overview |
| Week 4 | 2D Systems: Flux quantization, Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations, Quantum Hall effect |
| Week 5 | 2D Systems: Weak-localization, Universal conductance fluctuations, Aharonov-Bohm effect |
| Week 6 | 2D layered systems, Spin-Orbit coupling, Topological insulators |
| Week 7 | 1D Systems: Quantum point contacts, Nanowires |
| Week 8 | 1D Systems: Atomic point contacts, Charge sensing techniques |
| Week 9 | 0D Systems: Gated Quantum dots, Artificial atoms, Coulomb blockade, Single electron charging |
| Week 10 | 0D Systems: Shell filling, Single electron states, Coupled quantum dots, Spin-qubits |
| Week 11 | Mesoscopic Superconductivity: Josephson junctions, AC/DC Josephson effects, SQUIDs |
| Week 12 | Quantum Electrical Metrology, Quantum electrical amplifiers |
Recommended Textbooks
To fully benefit from this advanced course, students are encouraged to refer to these seminal texts:
- Electronic Transport in Mesoscopic Systems by Supriyo Datta
- Quantum Transport: Introduction to Nanoscience by Ya. M. Blanter and M. Büttiker
Conclusion
This course on Quantum Transport offers a rigorous and structured pathway to understanding the fundamental quantum phenomena that govern electricity at the nanoscale. Under the guidance of Prof. Madhu Thalakulam, students gain not just theoretical knowledge but also insight into the experimental techniques and real-world applications driving modern quantum technologies. For any postgraduate student aspiring to work in condensed matter physics, quantum computation, or advanced electronics, mastering these concepts is an essential and exciting step forward.
Enroll Now →