NCN PROPHET Short Course
This short course is intended for science and engineering students with a research focus on developing understanding of various nano-structures based on computational prototyping. The course will provide introductory materials on computer modeling as well as laboratory experiments with a state-of-the-art tool (PROPHET), that can support independent research use by attendees on the nanoHUB, even after the short-course. The key goals of the short-course are to bring the attendees to a level of expertise with simulation such that they can model a set of typical nano-structures and begin to define a path to continue their modeling efforts in support of their own independent research using PROPHET on the nanoHUB.
PROPHET is a simulation tool that was initially developed at the Bell Laboratories for process simulation of microelectronics. It provides the ability to formulate and solve partial differential equations (PDEs) using a high-level scripting language, and it includes a materials database that can be configured to support modeling of a range of physical systems. These two features allow the user to conveniently define new sets of equations, including the materials parameters, thus creating a "computational prototype" for the system of interest.
In this short-course we will develop scripts for several classes of PDEs that can be used to model formulations that can leverage the advanced numerical simulation infrastructure provided by PROPHET. Several examples and related publications can be found on the Stanford TCAD web site.
The course is organized in terms of modules and associated laboratories (see below for details) that take the students, step-by-step and by means of structured projects, from formulation of idealized problems to state-of-the-art, research-oriented simulations:
- The course begins with considering diffusive flow modeling, typical of heat and charged particle flow, then considering additional coupled equations to include electrostatics and reactive-diffusive effects. Typical application examples include nano-scale modeling of electron transport and nano-scale heat flow in reduced volume structures (i.e. nano-tubes, nano-wires etc).
- In parallel with building and testing computational prototypes for these first sets of examples, lectures and laboratories will consider materials properties, meshing and numerical simulation issues that impact modeling accuracy and the ability to target the simulation for new applications.
During the second half of the short-course there will be lectures, demonstrations and laboratory exercises related to more advanced nano-structure modeling issues. Two areas of special emphasis will be: a) the modeling of biological ion channels for creating artificial bio-electronic and bio-inspired electronic devices, and b) scaling limits of electronic nano-devices based on coupled electro-thermal effects.- A unique aspect of this short course will be an effort to facilitate the attendees to target specific individual research applications based on what they have learned during the short-course. Time will be allotted for developing custom simulation scripts, including interactions with the teaching staff to help define viable approaches, for modeling new nano-structures. While the attendees cannot expect to complete these simulations during the limited time of the short-course, the intent of this section of the course is to accelerate the transition into independent efforts and new application of PROPHET and concepts presented during the short course.
The attendees are expected to come from a broad background of science and engineering. It is not necessary to have deep understanding of nano-technology, programming or numerical techniques. However, due to limited space and facilities (enrollment limit to 25), first preference will be given to prospective students with specific goals that they can articulate clearly. Moreover, to make the laboratory sessions most effective there will be birds-of-a-feather grouping based on areas of interest. Based on your interest in joining the short-course, please fill out the online application and send the below information via email to Dr. Umberto Ravaioli (ravaioli@uiuc.edu).
- A resume of your skills
(school attended, courses taken, major, etc.) - A description of your experience level
(both software and application area) - A Statement of Purpose
(This should outline what you hope to get out of the course, problem areas of interest in nano-technology, and any other information that you feel will help the staff to assess your suitability for the course.)