Quantum Mechanics for Nanostructures
Answers to RF Cafe Quiz #31

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RF Cafe Featured Book - Quantum Mechanics for NanostructuresThis quiz is based on the information presented in the book, "Quantum Mechanics for Nanostructures," by Vladimir V. Mitin, Dmitry I. Sementsov, Nizami Z. Vagidov.

Published by Cambridge University Press.

 Note: Some of these books are available as prizes in the monthly RF Cafe Giveaway.

1.  When was the notion of "nanotechnology" introduced?

c)  1959

The notion of "nanotechnology" was introduced for the first time by Richard Feynman in 1959 in his famous Caltech lecture "There's plenty of room at the bottom: an invitation to enter a new field of physics." (see page 2)

2.  What determines whether a material is a nanostructure?

a)  At least one dimension less than 100 nm

The prefix "nano" means one billionth part of something. Therefore, from the formal point of view nanostructures can be any objects with size (at least in one of the directions) of the order of 100 nm or less. (see page 4)

3.  What is graphene?

b)  A 2-D layer lattice of carbon atoms

Graphene is a two-dimensional crystal, which consists of a single layer of carbon atoms in a hexagonal lattice. (see page 15)

4.  When was graphene first produced?

d)  2004

Although graphene had been know of for a long time, researchers managed to obtain single graphite layers and study them only in 2004. It was done using ordinary Scotch tape. (see page 15)

5.  What is the fundamental usefulness of the Schrödinger equation?

a)  It is used to calculate the wavefunction of a system

The main equation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics is known as the Schrödinger equation. It allows us to find the wavefunction of a particle or or a system of particles in a stationary state as well as its evolution in time. (see page 56)

6.  What is quantum tunneling?

d)  Propagation of an electron in the region of a potential barrier

(see page 89)

7.  Spin refers to which property of an electron?

a)  Angular momentum

Electron spin describes the momentum of an electron due to its intrinsic mass and it rotation about its axis. (see page 169)

RF Cafe - Carbon nanotube model (from Wikipedia)8.  What does the image to the right represent?

c)  A carbon nanotube (image from Wikipedia)

Carbon nanotubes are constructed from sheets of graphene rolled into hollow cylinders. (see page 267)

9.  What is the basis of a "single electron" device?

c)  Devices based on the effect of tunneling of a single electron

(see page 285)

10.  In classical physics, what does a particle's total mechanical energy consist of?

a)  Kinetic energy + potential energy

The total mechanical energy of a particle is defined as the sum of its protential energy and kinetic energy (see page 318)