Dr. Matveev works on the theory of electronic transport in nanostructures. Nanoscale physics is a new area of research which studies various phenomena in very small conductors, with sizes below 1 micron. The interest in electronic properties of small conductors is strongly stimulated by the rapid progress of computer technology, where the transistor size shrank steadily in order to increase the processing speed and device density. The physics of mesoscopic conductors is very different from that of larger systems. First of all, the sizes of mesoscopic samples are so small that the quantum interference of electrons scattering off of impurities becomes essential and gives rise to a number of new phenomena. Secondly, the interactions between the electrons in small systems become stronger and often affect the flow of electrons dramatically. The interactions lead to a number of fascinating new phenomena, such as Coulomb blockade, which is interesting from both a fundamental point of view as a new way to observe the discreteness of charge, and as a new principle for building ultrasmall computer logic circuits.

Education

• Ph.D. Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, 1991
• B.S. Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology 1988

Awards

• Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship 1998
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship