In his inaugural lecture, Professor Thomas Schmidt will give an introduction to mesoscopic systems and describe recent theoretical and experimental advances in this field. The event will occur on Thursday, 4 February 2016 at 18:00 on Limpertsberg campus.

About the topic

Almost a century after its discovery, quantum mechanics still defies our intuitive understanding. Although physicists use it on a daily basis and its predictions have been tested in countless experiments, the underlying notions of quantum theory such as particle-wave duality and probabilistic measurements are hard to fathom because they are unfamiliar from our everyday experience. Quantum mechanics, which governs the behavior of atoms and molecules, and classical physics, which describes the motion of everyday objects, are based on different concepts and are thus hard to reconcile.

Mesoscopic systems, with sizes between several nanometers and micrometers, offer a unique testbed which spans these two worlds and allow us to study how classical behavior can emerge from the laws of quantum mechanics. In addition, these systems are becoming increasingly important for applications, e.g., in nano-electronics. 

About the speaker

Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmidt received his PhD in physics from the University of Freiburg (Germany) in 2007. After postdocs at Yale University (USA) and Basel (Switzerland), he joined the University of Luxembourg in February 2015 on an ATTRACT Consolidating Investigator grant from the FNR. He and his group work on modern mesoscopic systems such as topological insulators, nano-wires, and nanomechanical systems.

Practical information :

Inaugural lecture on Thursday, 4 February 2016 at 18:00 on Limpertsberg campus (room Tavenas). 

Introduction by Prof. Dr. Paul Heuschling, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication.

A reception will take place after the inaugural lecture.