This undergraduate textbook provides an introduction to the fundamentals of solid state physics, including a description of the key people in the field and the historic context. The book concentrates on the electric and magnetic properties of materials. It is written for students up to the bachelor level in the fields of physics, materials science, and electric engineering. Because of its vivid explanations and its didactic approach, it can also serve as a motivating pre-stage and supporting companion in the study of the established and more detailed textbooks of solid state physics. The textbook is suitable for a quick repetition prior to examinations. This second edition is extended considerably by detailed mathematical treatments in many chapters, as well as extensive coverage of magnetic impurities.
This compact undergraduate textbook provides a concise yet thorough introduction to the fundamentals of solid-state physics, while also briefly discussing the historical context surrounding key scholars in the field. The vivid explanations and unique didactic approach adopted in the book aim to generate interest in these subjects while also serving as a motivating primer and supporting companion for studying more detailed and advanced textbooks in solid-state physics. The book is also suitable as a quick refresher for students preparing for examinations. The third edition features many extensions, including an up-to-date discussion of topological materials, a rapidly developing area at the forefront of solid-state physics. Primarily concentrating on the electric and magnetic properties of materials, the book will benefit undergraduate students in the fields of physics, materials science, and electrical engineering.
Research activities in low dimensional conductors have shown a rapid growth since 1972 and have led to the discovery of new and remarkable phy sical properties unique to both molecular and inorganic conductors exhibi ting one-dimensional transport behaviour. This NATO Institute was a conti nuation of aseries of NATO Advanced Study Institutes of Worshops which took place at regular intervals till 1979. This is the first time, however, that charge density wave transport and electronic properties of low dimen sional organic conductors are treated on an equal footing. The program of the Institute was framed by tutorial lectures in the theories and experiments of low dimensional conductors. The bulk of the course covered two series of low-dimensional mate rials with their respective properties. 1) The I-D inorganic conductors exhibiting the phenomena of sliding charge density waves, narrow band noise, memory effects, etc ..• 2) Low-dimensional crystallized organic conductors giving rise to various possibilities of ground states, spin-Peierls, spin density wave, Peierls, superconductivity and magnetic-field induced spin density wave, etc ... Since it has been established from the beginning that this Institute was to be devoted essentially to the Physics of Low Dimensional Conductors, only one main course summarized the progress in chemistry and material preparation.
"Semiconductors and Superconductors: From Invention to Innovation" is a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental technologies that power modern electronics, energy systems, and computing. Written by Ron Legarski, a leading expert in telecommunications and technology solutions, this book delves into the discovery, evolution, and future applications of semiconductors and superconductors—two cornerstones of modern science and engineering. The book is designed for a wide audience, from professionals in the tech industry and academic researchers to students and general readers interested in understanding the science and technology that drive today’s digital world. Semiconductors are the building blocks of every microchip, transistor, and integrated circuit—essential components in everything from smartphones to solar cells. Superconductors, on the other hand, have the potential to revolutionize fields like energy transmission, quantum computing, and medical imaging by enabling technologies that operate with zero electrical resistance. This book covers the key milestones in the development of semiconductors and superconductors, starting with the invention of the transistor and the discovery of superconductivity. It also dives into the applications of these technologies in industries such as telecommunications, computing, energy systems, and medical technology, demonstrating their far-reaching impact on society. Key topics include: The physics of semiconductors and superconductors, explained in accessible language. The history and evolution of transistors, integrated circuits, and quantum devices. How superconducting materials are used in applications ranging from MRI machines to high-speed trains. The role of semiconductors in smartphones, AI systems, and energy-efficient power grids. Future research directions, including the pursuit of room-temperature superconductors and wide-bandgap semiconductors like SiC and GaN. The convergence of AI, machine learning, and nanotechnology in designing next-generation semiconductor and superconductor devices. The book also provides a forward-looking perspective on how these technologies will shape the future, particularly in fields like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy systems. With chapters organized for easy navigation, technical glossaries, and suggested reading for further exploration, "Semiconductors and Superconductors: From Invention to Innovation" is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the technological forces that are driving the world forward.
Organic Superconductors is an introduction to organic conductors and superconductors and a review of the current status of the field. First, organic conductors are described, then the structures and electronic properties of organic superconductors are discussed, illustrated with examples of typical compounds. The book deals in detail with theories of the mechanism of superconductivity, and more briefly with spin-density waves. The design, principle, and synthesis of organic superconductors are also described. This second edition covers the research activities of the last few years.
This graduate-level textbook is the first pedagogical synthesis of the field of topological insulators and superconductors, one of the most exciting areas of research in condensed matter physics. Presenting the latest developments, while providing all the calculations necessary for a self-contained and complete description of the discipline, it is ideal for graduate students and researchers preparing to work in this area, and it will be an essential reference both within and outside the classroom. The book begins with simple concepts such as Berry phases, Dirac fermions, Hall conductance and its link to topology, and the Hofstadter problem of lattice electrons in a magnetic field. It moves on to explain topological phases of matter such as Chern insulators, two- and three-dimensional topological insulators, and Majorana p-wave wires. Additionally, the book covers zero modes on vortices in topological superconductors, time-reversal topological superconductors, and topological responses/field theory and topological indices. The book also analyzes recent topics in condensed matter theory and concludes by surveying active subfields of research such as insulators with point-group symmetries and the stability of topological semimetals. Problems at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to test knowledge and engage with frontier research issues. Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors will provide graduate students and researchers with the physical understanding and mathematical tools needed to embark on research in this rapidly evolving field.
This work examines all aspects of organic conductors, detailing recent theoretical concepts and current laboratory methods of synthesis, measurement, control and analysis. It describes advances in molecular-scale engineering, including switching and memory systems, Schottky and electroluminescent diodes, field-effect transistors, and photovoltaic devices and solar cells.
This book, in essence the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute with the same title, is designed to provide in-depth coverage of many, but not all, of the major current applications of superconductivity, and of many that still are being developed. It will be of value to scientists and engineers who have interests in the research and production aspects of the technology, as well as in the applications themselves. The ftrst three chapters (by Clarke, Vrba and Wikswo) are devoted to an understanding of the principles, fabrication and uses of SQUID magnetometers and gradiometers, with the greatest emphasis on biomagnetism and nondestructive evaluation (NDE). For the most part, traditional low-temperature superconductor (LTS) SQUIDs are used, but particularly for NDE, high-temperature superconductor (HTS) SQUIDs are proving useful and often more convenient. The succeeding three chapters (by Przybysz, Likharev and Chaloupka) cover broader aspects of superconducting electronics. The ftrst two of these deal primarily with digital L TS circuits, while the third discusses in great detail passive component applications using HTS materials. Currently, HTS ftlters are undergoing intense J3-site testing at cellular telephone base stations. While it is clear that HTS ftlters outperform conventional ftlters in reducing signal loss and allowing for more channels in a given bandwidth, it isn't yet certain that the cellular telephone industry sees sufficient economic beneftts to make a ftrm decision to use HTS ftlters universally in its systems. If this application is generally adapted, the market for these ftlters should be quite large.
The field of superconductivity has tremendous potential for growth and further development in industrial applications. The subject continues to occupy physicists, chemists, and engineers interested in both the phenomena itself and possible financially viable industrial devices utilizing the physical concepts. For the past five years, within the publications of the American Physical Society, for example, 40%-60% of all articles submitted to major journals in the area of Solid State Physics have been on the subject of superconductivity, including the newer, extremely important subfield of high temperature superconductivity (high Tc).The present volume is the first handbook to address this field. It covers both "classic" superconductivity-related topics and high Tc. Numerous properties, including thermal, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, phase diagrams, and spectroscopic crystallographic structures are presented for many types of superconductors. Critical fields, critical currents, coherence lengths, penetration depths, and transition temperatures are tabulated. - First handbook on Superconductivity - Coherence lengths and depths are tabulated - Crystallographic structures of over 100 superconductor types - Main results of several theories are submitted - Phase diagrams for synthesizing new superconductors are included
