Apresenta-se um estudo desenvolvido em três etapas com o intuito de analisar as principais dificuldades de compreensão pelos alunos de dois importantes conceitos da Mecânica Quântica (MQ): estado quântico e superposição linear. As três etapas da pesquisa consistiram em: elaboração, implementação e avaliação de uma proposta em três minicursos em congressos de ensino de Física nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina; elaboração, apresentação e avaliação de um curso de 18 horas ministrado na Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, RS; revisão do material apresentado no curso anteriormente mencionado e apresentação, implementação e avaliação de curso de 20 horas na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, RS. Sob a luz dos referenciais teóricos da aprendizagem significativa de Ausubel e dos campos conceituais de Vergnaud, criaram-se situações-problema que pudessem promover a aprendizagem significativa dos tópicos apresentados em cada etapa da pesquisa. Constatou-se que as formulações do experimento de dupla fenda e do experimento de Stern-Gerlach chamaram a atenção dos alunos e se constituiram em bons exemplos de aplicação dos conceitos de estado de um sistema quântico, de superposição linear de estados, de colapso do vetor de estado, de possíveis valores de medida e de probabilidades de obtenção dos valores de medida e efetivamente facilitaram a compreensão de muitos destes conceitos. A inclusão de tópicos contemporâneos (Emaranhamento Quântico e Criptografia Quântica) motivou os alunos para o aprendizado dos primeiríssimos princípios da MQ. Nos minicursos foi muito grande o interesse despertado pela proposta nos minicursos, um ponto a favor de sua aplicação, ainda que o curto período de contato com os tópicos apresentados não permitisse a verificação da ocorrência de aprendizagem significativa. Pode-se dizer, contudo, que a abordagem utilizada propiciou um bom início de aprendizado da MQ por parte dos alunos e que outros conceitos essenciais, tais como o de operador linear e de evolução temporal de sistemas quânticos, precisam ser mais trabalhados em atividades futuras. / A study, developed in three stages, designed to analyze the main difficulties in understanding two important concepts of Quantum Mechanics (QM) is presented. The main concepts of this study are: quantum state and linear superposition. The three stages of this research are: elaboration, implementation and evaluation of a pedagogical proposal in three short-term courses in educational meetings in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina; elaboration and presentation of a 18 hours course at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, in São Leopoldo, RS; revision of the material presented in the before mentioned course and presentation of a 20 hours course at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Porto Alegre, RS. In the light of Ausubel’s meaningful learning and Vergnaud’s conceptual fields theories, problem-situations were designed seeking the promotion of meaningful learning of the contents presented in the different stages of the research. The formulations of the Stern-Gerlach experiment and the double-slit experiment seemed to motivate the students to learn and were good examples of application of the quantum concepts of the state of the quantum system, linear superposition of states, the collapse of the state vector, the possible values of measurement results and the probability of obtaining the measurement results. Research findings suggest that these experiments facilitated the comprehension of much of these concepts. The inclusion of contemporary topics (Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Cryptography) motivated the students for the learning of the very first principles of QM. The interest on the proposal showed during the short-term courses was very high, a point in favor of this activity, although the short period of contact with the contents presented did not allow the verification of meaningful learning. Although the used approach seemed to be a good way to introduce QM to the students, some other essential concepts need more studies, such as the linear operator and the time evolution of quantum systems.

Hydrogen embrittlement in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys is, and has been for over a century, a prominent issue within many sectors of industry. Despite this, the mechanisms by which hydrogen embrittlement occurs and the suitable means for its prevention are yet to be fully established. As hydrogen fuel becomes a prominent feature in modern concepts of a sustainable global energy infrastructure and nuclear power enters its renaissance, with commercially viable fusion plants on the horizon, hydrogen embrittlement is becoming an ever more pertinent issue. This has led to a considerable demand for novel alloys resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, notably within the bearings industry, where the commonly conflicting properties of high strength and hydrogen embrittlement resistance are required. This work investigates the mechanisms through which hydrogen embrittlement and irradiation damage occur in steels and nickel-based alloys respectively, with novel alloys designed for improved resistance. Through the engineering of secondary phases, optimised for helium and/or hydrogen trapping capacity, the novel alloys present the benefits of such trapping species with respect to embrittlement resistance. Such species have been studied in depth with respect to their interactions with hydrogen, establishing a novel mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement - the hydrogen enhanced dissolution and shearability of precipitates, leading to enhanced localised plasticity.

Foi proposta uma experiência na qual seria possível produzir um emaranhamento quântico de feixes de fótons com diferentes frequências, movendo-se em uma mesma direção, controlado por meio de um campo magnético externo. Nessa experiência, a interação entre o campo magnético e fótons é realizada por intermédio de elétrons, que interagem tanto com os fótons quanto com o campo magnético externo. Foi desenvolvida uma teoria que descreve processos físicos. Derivamos medidas de emaranhamento de informação e de Schmidt para um sistema geral de dois qubits e a medida residual para um sistema geral de três qubits. Usando a informação obtida da análise dos sistemas de dois e de três quase-fótons, calculamos medidas de emaranhamento. Criamos um programa para cálculo numérico, nesses casos, através do qual construímos gráficos de dependência das medidas de emaranhamentos em feixes de dois e de três fótons. Os resultados obtidos nos permitem ver como a medida de emaranhamento depende dos parâmetros, que caracterizam o sistema em questão. Por exemplo, se ambas as polarizações dos fótons coincidem, então, nenhum emaranhamento ocorre. O emaranhamento acontece apenas se as polarizações do fóton forem opostas. / An experiment is proposed which can produce a quantum entanglement of photon beams having different frequencies and moving in the same direction. The experiment is controlled by an external magnetic field. In this experiment, the interaction between the photons and magnetic field is carried out by means of electrons interacting both with the photons and the external magnetic field. A theory is developed which describes physical processes in this experiment. The meausre of entanglement of information and the measure of Schmidt are calculated for the general system of two qubits, as well as the residual measure for general system of three qubits. Using the information obtained from the analysis of the systems of two and three quasi-photons, we have calculated the entanglement measures in such cases. A computer program is created for numerical calculations in such cases which enables one to construct the graphs of dependence for entanglements of measures in bundles of two and three photons. The results allow us to see how the entanglement measure depends on the parameters that characterize the system in question. For example, if both polarizations of the photons coincide, then no entanglement takes place. The entanglement occurs only if the polarization of the photon are opposite.

Estudamos as excitações de baixa energia, presentes em um gás de bosons homogêneo, de spin nulo, sujeitos a uma interação de dois corpos repulsiva e a temperatura zero, utilizando a aproximação gaussiana, que consiste num caso particular de aproximação de campo médio. As equações dinâmicas resultantes foram linearizadas ao redor da solução estática de Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov. Obtivemos uma banda contínua e limitada inferiormente, além de um segundo ramo discreto, que define um limite inferior para as excitações e que, ao contrário do resultado proveniente do tratamento de Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov, possui um comportamento linear sem gap com respeito ao momento da excitação no limite de grandes comprimentos de onda, ou seja, possui uma equação de dispersão do tipo fônon. Discutimos também a forma através da qual é possível gerar desvios do equilíbrio, vinculados aos estados excitados, e concluímos haver restrições sobre os possíveis desvios das grandezas características em campo médio gaussiano, quando tais desvios são gerados por transformações infinitesimais unitárias de um corpo tomadas até primeira ordem. / We study low-lying excitations of a spinless, homogeneous bose gas, with repulsive interaction, at zero temperature, in terms of a gaussian mean field approximation. The dynamical equations of this approximation have been linearized in small displacements from the well known static Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov solution. We obtain a gapped continous band of excitations above a discrete branch with phonon behavior at large wavelengths. We also discuss the allowed forms of excitations and conclude that restrictions exist for the allowed deviations of the general set of gaussian mean field parameters, when they are generated in first orders by infinitesimal unitary transformations.

Estudamos a espectroscopia de correlação de intensidade de dois feixes laser com excesso de ruído de fase em condição de transparência eletromagneticamente induzida (EIT) em átomos frios de rubídio. Em particular, analisamos três aspectos da espectroscopia de corre-lação. O primeiro, no âmbito teórico, corresponde ao tratamento perturbativo da dinâmica atômica para o cálculo do espectro de correlação. Mostramos que, para campos com baixo ruído de fase, o termo a primeira ordem da expansão é suficiente para descrever completamente a correlação do sistema. No entanto, para campos que apresentam excesso de ruído de fase, observamos que é necessário considerar os termos de ordem superior para obtermos uma descrição completa do sistema. A abordagem perturbativa nos permite ter uma expressão analítica que relaciona o espectro de correlação no domínio das frequências com as propriedades de absorção e dispersão associadas ao meio atômico.\\\\ No âmbito experimental, analisamos duas situações diferentes para a espectroscopia de correlação. A primeira foi a espectroscopia de correlação para diferentes valores de dessintonia de frequência com relação à ressonância atômica. Mostramos pela primeira vez que a correlação apresenta ressonâncias na frequência das bandas laterais enquanto os campos estiverem dessintonizados fora da largura espectral dada pela emissão espontânea. Nossos resultados experimentais são descritos de maneira satisfatória pelo modelo perturbativo para a correlação definida no domínio da frequência. Além disso, mostramos que em certas condições, o modelo perturbativo se reduz ao nosso modelo heurístico para a função de correlação $g^2(0)$ no domínio do tempo, sendo ela uma aproximação válida para descrever correlação entre os campos.\\\\ O terceiro aspecto estudado neste trabalho se refere aos efeitos dinâmicos sobre a espectroscopia de correlação. Investigamos como a evolução transiente do sistema atômico, devido às forças de espalhamento que a luz exerce sobre os átomos, induz a uma assimetria espectral na correlação, se apresentando assim, como um efeito de ``histerese\". No entanto, para campos dentro da janela de transparência, mostramos que o sistema é insensível ao efeito de tais forças. Esta é a primeira observação do efeito dinâmico sobre a espectroscopia de correlação. Assim, mostramos que a espectroscopia de correlação se torna um ferramenta de alta precisão para detectar efeitos dinâmicos nos átomos frios, pois tais efeitos escapam da simples observação quando é feita a espectroscopia de transmissão padrão. / We studied the intensity correlation spectroscopy of two lasers beams with excess of phase noise in electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) condition in cold rubidium atoms. In particular, we analyzed three aspects of correlation spectroscopy. In the first one, as a theoretical approach, I proposed a perturbative treatment for the atomic dynamics in order to calculate the correlation spectrum. We show that for electromagnetic fields with low phase noise, the first order term of the expanssion is sufficient for a complete description of the system. However, when the fields present excess of phase noise, it is shown that higher order terms are necessary to describe the system completely. The perturbative approach allows the contruction of an analytical expression which maps the correlation spectrum in the frequency domain, with the absorptive and dispersive properties of the atomic medium.\\\\ In the experimental part, we analyze two different situations for the correlation spectroscopy. In the first one, was the correlation spectroscopy for different values of frequency detuning with respect to the atomic resonance. We show for the first time that the correlation has resonances at the exactly sideband\'s frequencies, if the light fields optical frequencies are detuned from the natural spectral width given by the spontaneous emission. Our experimental results are described satisfactorily by the perturbative model for the correlation set in the frequency domain. Furthermore, we show that under certain conditions, the perturbative contains our heuristic model for the correlation function $g^2(0)$ in the time domain, and it is a valid approximation to describe correlation between fields.\\\\ The third aspect studied in this work refers to the dynamical effects on the correlation spectroscopy. We investigate the transient evolution of the atomic system due to the scattering forces that light exerts on the atoms, inducing a spectral asymmetry in the correlation, appearing as an \'\'hysteresis effect\". However, for fields within the transparency window, we show that the system is insensitive to the effect of such forces. This is the first observation of the dynamical effect in the correlation spectroscopy. Thus, we show that correlation spectroscopy becomes a high-precision tool to detect dynamical effects in cold atoms, because such effects escape from the simple observation in the standard transmission spectroscopy.

Vladimir Aleksandrovich Fock est un physicien largement reconnu par la communauté scientifique pour ses contributions de premier plan aux théories de la mécanique quantique et de la relativité générale. Il est aussi un acteur majeur du débat sur l'interprétation de ces deux théories du XXe siècle, selon une approche qui se revendique clairement du matérialisme dialectique, une idéologie alors largement imposée par les autorités soviétiques en URSS. Notre étude porte principalement sur cet aspect de sa carrière, exploré jusqu'alors de façon trop partielle en histoire des sciences. Plus spécifiquement, nous nous penchons sur les racines scientifiques et philosophiques des interprétations non-orthodoxes des théories de la mécanique quantique et de la relativité générale que développe Fock. En reconstruisant son approche épistémologique nous mettons en évidence que le physicien est guidé par une vision antiréductionniste et réaliste scientifique de sa discipline. Cette base nous donne alors l'assise pour discuter des raisons pour lesquelles le matérialisme dialectique est une véritable influence pour la pensée du physicien soviétique. Par la suite, partant du constat de la sincère adoption par Fock de cette idéologie, nous replaçons la question de l'interprétation des théories de la physique moderne dans son contexte socio-culturel. Il est y notamment question d'observer le parcours du physicien en tant que défenseur des théories de la mécanique quantique et de la relativité face aux différentes attaques politiques et idéologiques qu'elles peuvent subir en Union soviétique, mais aussi d'étudier l'influence du contexte sur la formulation à proprement parler de leurs interprétations et dans un dernier temps de développer les questions relatives à la diffusion des idées de Fock dans la communauté locale et internationale des physiciens. En somme, cette thèse permet de reconsidérer l'intérêt que présente la pensée de Vladimir Aleksandrovich Fock dans l'histoire des théories de la physique moderne / Vladimir Aleksandrovich Fock is a physicist well-known by the scientific community for his important contributions to the theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity. He is also a major actor in the debate on the interpretation of these two major theories of the XXth century, following an approach that clearly claims dialectical materialism ñ an ideology then largely imposed by the Soviet authorities in the USSR - as fundamental. Our work mostly focuses on this aspect of Fock's career, explored too partially in the history of science. More specifically, we reconsider the scientific and philosophical roots of the non-orthodox interpretations of quantum mechanics and general relativity developed by Fock. By reconstructing his epistemological approach we put forward that the physicist was guided by an antireductionist and a scientific realist conception of his discipline. This basis gives us the possibility to discuss the reasons why dialectical materialism was a real influence on the scientist thought. Thus, by following the observation of the sincere adoption by Fock of the Soviet ideology, we put back the question of the interpretation of the theories of modern physics in its socio-cultural context. We observe Fock's trajectory as a defender of quantum mechanics and relativity theory against the different ideological and political attacks they may undergo in Soviet Union. We also study the influence of context on the actual wording of their interpretations and finally we develop the issues related to their diffusion in the local and worldwide community of physicists. To summarize, this thesis helps to reconsider the interest of Fock's thought in the history of modern physics

A novel integrated modeling methodology for NEMS is presented. Nano scale device models include typical effects found, at this scale, in various domains. The methodology facilitates the insertion of quantum corrections to nanoscale device models when they are simulated within multi-domain environments, as is performed in the MEMS industry. This methodology includes domain-oriented approximations from ab-initio modeling. In addition, the methodology includes the selection of quantum mechanical compact models that can be integrated with basic electronic circuits or non-electronic lumped element models. Nanoelectronic device modeling integration in mixed signal systems is reported. The modeling results are compatible with standard hardware description language entities and building blocks. This methodology is based on the IEEE VHDL-AMS, which is an industry standard modeling and simulation hardware description language. The methodology must be object oriented in order to be shared with current and future nanotechnology modeling resources, which are available worldwide. In order to integrate them inside a Learning Management System (LMS), models were formulated and adapted for educational purposes. The electronic nanodevice models were translated to a standardized format for learning objects by following the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). The SCORM format not only allows models reusability inside the framework of the LMS, but their applicability to various educational levels as well. The model of a molecular transistor was properly defined, integrated and translated using SCORM rules and reused for educational purposes at various levels. A very popular LMS platform was used to support these tasks. The LMS platform compatibility skills were applied to test the applicability and reusability of the generated learning objects. Model usability was successfully tested and measured within an undergraduate nanotechnology course in an electrical engineering program. The model was reused at the graduate level and adapted afterwards to a nanotechnology education program for school teachers. Following known Learning Management Systems, the developed methodology was successfully formulated and adapted for education.

The exponential nature of Moore's law has inadvertently created huge data storage complexes that are scattered around the world. Data elements are continuously being searched, processed, erased, combined and transferred to other storage units without much regard to power consumption. The need for faster searches and power efficient data processing is becoming a fundamental requirement. Quantum computing may offer an elegant solution to speed and power through the utilization of the natural laws of quantum mechanics. Therefore, minimal cost quantum circuit implementation methodologies are greatly desired. This thesis explores the decomposition of group functions and the Walsh spectrum for implementing quantum canonical cascades with minimal cost. Three different methodologies, using group decomposition, are presented and generalized to take advantage of different quantum computing hardware, such as ion traps and quantum dots. Quantum square root of swap gates and fixed angle rotation gates comprise the first two methodologies. The third and final methodology provides further quantum cost reduction by more efficiently utilizing Hilbert spaces through variable angle rotation gates. The thesis then extends the methodology to realize a robust quantum circuit synthesis tool for single and multi-output quantum logic functions.

In this thesis, the general framework of supersymmetric quantum mechanics and the path integral approach will be presented (as well as the worked out example of the supersymmetric harmonic oscillator). Then the theory will be specialized to the case of supersymmetric quantum mechanics on Riemannian manifolds, which will start from a supersymmetric Lagrangian for the general case and the special case for S2. Afterwards, there will be a discussion on the superfield formalism. Concluding this thesis will be the Hamiltonian formalism followed by the inclusion of deforma- tions by potentials.

Energy harvesting using rectennas for infrared radiation continues to be a challenge due to the lack of fast switching diodes capable of rectification at THz frequencies. Metal insulator metal diodes which may be used at 30 THz must show adequate nonlinearity for small signal rectification such as 30 mV. In a rectenna assembly, the voltage signal received as an output from a single nanoantenna can be as small as ~30µV. Thus, only a hybrid array of nanoantennas can be sufficient to provide a signal in the ~30mV range for the diode to be able to rectify around 30THz. A metal-insulator-metal diode with highly nonlinear I-V characteristics is required in order for such small signal rectification to be possible. Such diode fabrication was found to be faced with two major fabrication challenges. The first one being the lack of a precisely controlled deposition process to allow a pinhole free insulator deposition less than 3nm in thickness. Another major challenge is the deposition of a top metal contact on the underlying insulating thin film. As a part of this research study, most of the MIM diodes were fabricated using Langmuir Blodgett monolayers deposited on a thin Ni film that was sputter coated on a silicon wafer. UV induced polymerization of the Langmuir Blodgett thin film was used to allow intermolecular crosslinking. A metal top contact was sputtered onto the underlying Langmuir Blodgett film assembly. In addition to material characterization of all the individual films using IR, UV-VIS spectroscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the I-V characteristics, resistance, current density, rectification ratio and responsivity with respect to the bias voltage were also measured for the electrical characterization of these MIM diodes. Further improvement in the diode rectification ratio and responsivity was obtained with Langmuir Blodgett films grown by the use of horizontally oriented organic molecules, due to a smaller tunneling distance that could be achieved in this case. These long chain polymeric molecules exhibit a two-dimensional molecular assembly thereby reducing the tunneling distance between the metal electrodes on either side of the insulating layer. Rectification ratios as high as 450:1 at ±200mV were obtained for an MIM diode configuration of Ni-LB films of Arachidic Acid films-(Au/Pd). The bandwidth of the incident radiation that can be used by this rectenna assembly is limited to 9.5% of 30THz or ±1.5THz from the center frequency based on the antenna designs which were proposed for this research. This bandwidth constraint has led to research in the field of frequency selective emitters capable of providing a narrowband emission around 30THz. Several grating structures were fabricated in the form of Ni-Si periodic arrays, in a cleanroom environment using photolithography, sputtering and deep reactive ion etching. These frequency selective samples were characterized with the help of focusing optics, monochromators and HgCdTe detectors. The results obtained from the emission spectra were utilized to calibrate a simulation model with Computer Simulation Technology (CST) which uses numerous robust solving techniques, such as the finite element method, in order to obtain the optical parameters for the model. Thereafter, a thorough analysis of the different dimensional and material parameters was performed, to understand their dependence on the emissivity of the selective emitter. Further research on the frequency selectivity of the periodic nano-disk or nano-hole array led to the temperature dependence of the simulated spectra, because the material parameters, such as refractive index or drude model collision frequency, vary with temperature. Thus, the design of frequency selective absorbers/emitters was found to be significantly affected with temperature range of operation of these structures.