| dc.description.abstract | Quantum simulators are devices that mimic quantum effects with the aim of acquiring knowledge about real systems. During the past decades, scientist have recognized the tremendous potential of these devices on a computational and fundamental level, leading to the discovery and development of new types. One of these new strategies of quantum simulation is via electronic systems: 2D surface structures in which electrons can be confined. This enables us to build artificial lattices, which paves the way for investigating a whole zoo of exotic material properties.
In this thesis the foundations of this field are explored. Gradually a framework is built, starting with the fundamental principles of both experiment and theory. After discussing the scanning tunnelling microscope and the iterative Arnoldi method, we start with investigating the smallest unit: the particle in a box, or artificial atom. For this we use the hexagonal form in particular. From this, we move on to the coupling of sites in a dimer, about which we make predictions using the tight binding model. This system is then manipulated, the theoretical results of which are compared with experiment. We report that most of the tight binding predictions are fulfilled. Most notably, the coupling of the sites depends on the barrier between them, as well as their size. | |
