Contacts in Nanosystems

To tackle the problem of contacts in nanosystems a small number of model systems was chosen. Therefore, the research within the school is divided into 4 key projects. Three of these projects concentrate on certain material systems for the formation of nanostructures, one project is purely theoretical which will give additional support to the other projects in the detailed understanding of the coupling effects of a nanostructure with a complex environment.

Project P1 with the title Energy Conversion Processes in Molecular Systems at Nano Contacts deals with porphyrin molecules as model systems. In project P2 with the title Quantum Impurities in Contact to a Complex Environment different theoretical methods will be applied to study interaction effects between a quantum impurity and the environment. Project P3 with the title Spin and Charge Dynamics at Surfaces and Interfaces in Wide Gap Semiconductor Nanostructures concentrates on quantum wells and nanorods in III/V and ZnO semiconductors. In project P4 with the title Interaction Effects in Contacting Semiconducting Nanostructures quantum dots in AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures and graphene are taken as model systems.

In this way a small number of model systems covers quite a wide range of different systems ranging from zerodimensional systems which are realized in molecules and quantum dots, over one-dimensional systems which might be realized in nanorods up to two-dimensional systems in graphene and quantum wells. Collaborations will not only exist within the individual projects, but also between groups working in different projects. It is envisioned that the 4 research projects in this school will lay the foundation for future joint applications for one or more larger projects.