Ferroic materials are important, not only because of the improved understanding of condensed matter, but also because of their present and potential device applications. This book presents a unified description of ferroic materials at an introductory level, with the unifying factor being the occurrence of nondisruptive phase transitions in crystals that alter point-group symmetry. The book also aims to further systemitize the subject of ferroic materials, employing some formal, carefully worded, definitions and classification schemes. The basic physical principles leading to the wide-ranging applications of ferroic materials are also explained, while placing extra emphasis on the utilitarian role of symmetry in materials science.

The demands of production, such as thin films in microelectronics, rely on consideration of factors influencing the interaction of dissimilar materials that make contact with their surfaces. Bond formation between surface layers of dissimilar condensed solids-termed adhesion-depends on the nature of the contacting bodies. Thus, it is necessary to determine the characteristics of adhesion interaction of different materials from both applied and fundamental perspectives of surface phenomena. Given the difficulty in obtaining reliable experimental values of the adhesion strength of coatings, the theoretical approach to determining adhesion characteristics becomes more important. Surface Physics: Theoretical Models and Experimental Methods presents straightforward and efficient approaches and methods developed by the authors that enable the calculation of surface and adhesion characteristics for a wide range of materials: metals, alloys, semiconductors, and complex compounds. The authors compare results from the proposed theories-developed within the framework of the electron density functional theory and dielectric formalism-to experimental data. The book begins with a discussion of the thermodynamics of surface phenomena and covers experimental and theoretical methods for studying surface characteristics of solids. Chapters describe calculations of surface and adhesion characteristics of metals using the density functional method. They also examine the calculation of adhesion characteristics of metals, semiconductors, and complex compounds based on dielectric formalism. In addition, the text covers dry friction, adsorption of metal atoms, and ferromagnetic films. The principles and methods presented in this book are useful in selecting optimum materials and coatings for various applications, including minimizing friction for increased efficiency of microelectronic components.

Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Fast Particles in Solids examines the kinetics and non-equilibrium statistical thermodynamics of fast charged particles moving in crystals in different modes. It follows a line of research very different from traditional ways of constructing a theory of radiation effects, which gives a purely mechanistic interpretation of particle motion. In contrast, this book takes into account the thermodynamic forces due to separation of the thermodynamic parameters of the subsystem of particles ("hot" atoms) on the parameters of the thermostat (electrons and lattice), in addition to covering the various mechanisms of collisions. Topics Include: Construction of a local kinetic equation of Boltzmann type for fast particles interacting with the conduction electrons and lattice vibrations, on the basis of the principles of Bogolyubov's kinetic theory Calculation of the equilibrium energy and angular distributions of fast particles at a depth of the order of coherence length, and the evolution of particle distribution with increasing depth of penetration of the beam Calculation of transverse quasi-temperature of channeled particles with the heating of the beam in the process of diffusion of particles in the space of transverse energies, as well as cooling the beam through a dissipative process Research in the framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics of the relaxation kinetics of random particles, including the thermodynamics of positronium atoms moving in insulators under laser irradiation Analysis of the kinetics of hot carriers in semiconductors and thermalization of hot carriers, as well as the calculation of the statistical distribution of ejected atoms formed during the displacement cascade The book sets a new direction of the theory of radiation effects in solids-non-equilibrium statistical thermodynamics

A teaching tool intended to complement existing books on the theory of materials science, metallurgy, and electron microscopy, this text focuses on metals and alloys. It visualizes key structural elements common to crystalline materials, including crystal lattice imperfections, along with the principles and steps involved in the microstructure development in metallic materials under external influences. Designed as an atlas, Microstructure of Metals and Alloys contains a collection of carefully selected original transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs taken by the authors. These images demonstrate typical crystal lattice defects, elements of the microstructure of metals and alloys, and the basic processes occurring to the crystal structure during plastic deformation, polygonization, recrystallization, and rapid solidification. The book is organized into six chapters. Each deals with a particular problem in the field of physical metallurgy, and begins with a description of the basic concept and terms. These descriptions enable readers to achieve a better understanding of the essential issues relevant to specific challenges. Providing comprehensive, illustrative coverage of the basic topics in materials science, this important work emphasizes fundamental principles over specific materials, in a manner that is fully consistent with the contemporary tendency in materials science teaching.

The relationship between liquids and gases engaged the attention of a number of distinguished scientists in the mid 19th Century. In a definitive paper published in 1869, Thomas Andrews described experiments he performed on carbon dioxide and from which he concluded that a critical temperature exists below which liquids and gases are distinct phases of matter, but above which they merge into a single fluid phase. During the years which followed, other natural phenomena were discovered to which the same critical point description can be applied - such as ferromagnetism and solutions. This book provides an historical account of theoretical explanations of critical phenomena which ultimately led to a major triumph of statistical mechanics in the 20th Century - with the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics

Many courses on modern quantum field theory focus on the formulation and application of field theory, leaving topics related to symmetry underdeveloped. This leads to students often having an incomplete understanding of symmetries. Filling this gap, Symmetries and Symmetry Breaking in Field Theory sheds light on various aspects of symmetry in field theory. The book presents a broad selection of important topics, including constraint theory, generalized Pauli-Villars regularization, the measure approach to anomalies, zeta function regularization, and anomalous gauge theories. The author explains how some classical symmetries are broken by anomalies and how other symmetries of the theory are spontaneously broken. He discusses all of the ideas in as simple a way as possible.

This thesis presents analytical theoretical studies on the interplay between charge density waves (CDW) and superconductivity (SC) in the actively studied transition-metal dichalcogenide 1T-TiSe2. It begins by reapproaching a years-long debate over the nature of the phase transition to the commensurate CDW (CCDW) state and the role played by the intrinsic tendency towards excitonic condensation in this system. A Ginzburg-Landau phenomenological theory was subsequently developed to understand the experimentally observed transition from commensurate to incommensurate CDW (ICDW) order with doping or pressure, and the emergence of a superconducting dome that coexists with ICDW. Finally, to characterize microscopically the effects of the interplay between CDW and SC, the spectrum of CDW fluctuations beyond mean-field was studied in detail. In the aggregate, the work reported here provides an encompassing understanding of what are possibly key microscopic underpinnings of the CDW and SC physics in TiSe2.

This book will introduce advanced concepts and topics of solid-state theory.

This practical and unique textbook explains the core areas of molecular spectroscopy as a classical teacher would. The author carefully explores and explains each concept, walking side by side with the student through carefully constructed text, pedagogy, and derivations to ensure comprehension of the basics before approaching higher level topics. The author incorporates both electric resonance and magnetic resonance in the textbook. Uses boxes to explain more difficult topics and provides derivations to demonstrate "how and why". Includes coverage of electronic and NMR spectroscopy, both in sufficient detail. Discusses the density matrix method and its use in electronic spectroscopy before addressing it in NMR. Includes a chapter on Vibrational and Rotational Coherence Spectroscopy. Each chapter ends with problems with varying level of difficulty.

Choice Recommended Title, January 2020 Providing a vital resource in tune with the massive advancements in accelerator technologies that have taken place over the past 50 years, Accelerator Radiation Physics for Personnel and Environmental Protection is a comprehensive reference for accelerator designers, operators, managers, health and safety staff, and governmental regulators. Up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, it allows readers to effectively work together to ensure radiation safety for workers, to protect the environment, and adhere to all applicable standards and regulations. This book will also be of interest to graduate and advanced undergraduate students in physics and engineering who are studying accelerator physics. Features: Explores accelerator radiation physics and the latest results and research in a comprehensive single volume, fulfilling a need in the market for an up-to-date book on this topic Contains problems designed to enhance learning Addresses undergraduates with a background in math and/or science

Low-dimensional semiconductor quantum structures are a major, high-technological development that has a considerable industrial potential. The field is developing extremely rapidly and the present book represents a timely guide to the latest developments in device technology, fundamental properties, and some remarkable applications. The content is largely tutorial, and the book could be used as a textbook. The book deals with the physics, fabrication, characteristics and performance of devices based on low-dimensional semiconductor structures. It opens with fabrication procedures. The fundamentals of quantum structures and electro-optical devices are dealt with extensively. Nonlinear optical devices are discussed from the point of view of physics and applications of exciton saturation in MQW structures. Waveguide-based devices are also described in terms of linear and nonlinear coupling. The basics of pseudomorphic HEMT technology, device physics and materials layer design are presented. Each aspect is reviewed from the elementary basics up to the latest developments. Audience: Undergraduates in electrical engineering, graduates in physics and engineering schools. Useful for active scientists and engineers wishing to update their knowledge and understanding of recent developments.

Just as the circle number or the Euler constant e determines mathematics, fundamental constants of nature define the scales of the natural sciences. This book presents a new perspective by means of a few axioms and compares the resulting validity with experimental data. By the axiomatic approach Sommerfeld's mysterious fine-structure constant and Dirac's cosmic number are fixed as pure number constants. Thanks to these number constants, it is possible to calculate the value for the anomalous magnetic-moment of the electron in a simple way compared to QED calculations. With the same number constants it is also possible to calculate masses, partial lifetimes, magnetic-moments or charge radii of fundamental particles. The expressions used for the calculations, with few exceptions, yield values within the experimental error limits of the Particle Data Group. The author shows that the introduced number constants give even better predictions than the complicated QED calculations of today's doctrine. In the first part only experimental data from the literature for checking the postulates are used. In the second part the author explains electrical transport measurements with emergent behaviour, which were carried out in a professional environment.

This volume is devoted to the theory of superfluid quantum liquids, describing the Landau theory of a neutral Fermi liquid in order to illustrate, in comparatively elementary fashion, the way both quantum statistics and particle interaction determine system behavior.

Soft matters differ from hard ones essentially due to former's relatively weak interaction which is comparable to kBTrm (Trm = room temperature) - this results in the major characteristics of soft matters such as 'strong reactions upon weak actions'.Developed over a period of 10 years through soft matter physics lectures for both graduate and undergraduate students in Fudan University, this textbook not only concentrates on the basic interactions inside soft matters through a reductionist approach, but also introduces the exploratory works on the complexity of soft matters in methods of system science.Other important topics in soft matter physics which are included involve static and dynamic electrorheological (ER) effects - an important 'model animal' in the subject, granular media - which explains the thermodynamics of sands and its dynamics, and the Onsager principle of least energy dissipation rate which has been adapted in this textbook to see how it governs the optimal paths of a system's deviation from and restoration to equilibrium.The subject of soft matter physics is still in its infancy, making it highly exciting and attractive. If you like a challenging subject, you will most certainly fall in love with soft matter physics at first read!

Granular materials are an integral part of our everyday life. They are also the base material for most industrial processing techniques. The highly dissipative nature of the particle collisions means energy input is needed in order to mobilize the grains. This interplay of dissipation and excitation leads to a wide variety of pattern formation processes, which are addressed in this book. The reader is introduced to this wide field by, first, a description of the material properties of granular materials under different experimental conditions that are important in connection with the pattern formation dynamics and, second, by further details given later on in the description of the specific system.

This volume on Ultrafast Magnetism is a collection of articles presented at the international "Ultrafast Magnetization Conference" held at the Congress Center in Strasbourg, France, from October 28th to November 1st, 2013. This first conference, which is intended to be held every two years, received a wonderful attendance and gathered scientists from 27 countries in the field of Femtomagnetism, encompassing many theoretical and experimental research subjects related to the spins dynamics in bulk or nanostructured materials. The participants appreciated this unique opportunity for discussing new ideas and debating on various physical interpretations of the reported phenomena. The format of a single session with many oral contributions as well as extensive time for poster presentations allowed researchers to have a detailed overview of the field. Importantly, one could sense that, in addition to studying fundamental magnetic phenomena, ultrafast magnetism has entered in a phase where applied physics and engineering are playing an important role. Several devices are being proposed with exciting R&D perspectives in the near future, in particular for magnetic recording, time resolved magnetic imaging and spin polarized transport, therefore establishing connections between various aspects of modern magnetism. Simultaneously, the diversity of techniques and experimental configurations has flourished during the past years, employing in particular Xrays, visible, infra-red and terahertz radiations. It was also obvious that an important effort is being made for tracking the dynamics of spins and magnetic domains at the nanometer scale, opening the pathway to exciting future developments. The concerted efforts between theoretical and experimental approaches for explaining the dynamical behaviors of angular momentum and energy levels, on different classes of magnetic materials, are worth pointing out. Finally it was unanimously recognized that the quality of the scientific oral and poster presentations contributed to bring the conference to a very high international standard.

This title covers the fundamentals of carbon nanomaterials in a logical and clear manner to make concepts accessible to researchers from different disciplines. It summarizes in a comprehensive manner recent technological and scientific accomplishments in the area of carbon nanomaterials and their application in lithium ion batteries The book also addresses all the components anodes, cathodes and electrolytes of lithium ion battery and discusses the technology of lithium ion batteries that can safely operate at high temperature.

This book covers the important contributions of the Chinese during the development of high-temperature superconductors (HTS). The study of Y-based HTS, which was the first to be reported internationally at a liquid nitrogen temperature above 90 K, has retained the world record for superconducting transition temperatures. The book covers the study of superconducting energy gap, microscopic electron non-uniformity, ARPES research, 'kinks' research, eHigh-T . In order to provide a comprehensive introduction to the physical properties of condensed matter, this book also includes studies on the thermodynamic properties of high-temperature superconductors, low-temperature heat transport, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, this book includes important topics in theoretical studies, including the study of the magnetic and superconductivity of iron-based materials, the non-diagonal long procedure in condensed quantum phases, and the creation of oxygen sites in the CuO2 plane. Rotational fluctuations lead to the study of superconducting states. This book is suitable for researchers and graduate students in condensed matter physics, materials science, optics and other fields.

This book provides a new understanding of the large amount of experimental results gained in solid state physics during the last seven decades. For more than 160 different materials, data analyses shown in terms of atomistic models (Hamiltonians) have not provided a quantitatively satisfactory description of either excitation spectra or dynamic properties. Instead, the experimental evidences have elaborated that field theories are necessary. However, most experimentalists are not familiar with field theories, and realistic field theories of magnetism are absent.The book illustrates in an empirical way the elements of future field theories of solid state physics with special emphasis on magnetic materials. In contrast to the many available textbooks on quantum field theories that emphasize more on algorithmic formalities rather than referring to the experimental facts, the approach in this book is pragmatic instead of abstract theoretic. This methodical concept considerably facilitates experimentalists to get acquainted with the basic ideas of field theories, even if a ready field theory is not provided by this experimental study.

This book addresses the physical mechanisms involved in the characteristic electrical properties and the geometrical structures that are observed from dipolar monolayers composed of organic molecules by using dielectric physics, electrostatics, the physics of liquid crystal, and soft matter physics. The orientational order parameters, introduced to quantify the orientational structures of monolayers, guide us towards this goal. Dielectric polarizations are spontaneously generated from monolayers because of their orientational structures, and electrostatic energies due to these dielectric polarizations play a key role in forming the geometrical structures that are observed from monolayers. Free energy minimization is a powerful tool to understand the physical mechanisms that stabilize these geometrical structures because of the soft matter nature of monolayers. The approach makes this book unique among the literatures of monolayers.

Certain small solid particles are surface-active at fluid interfaces and thus are able to stabilize materials previously considered impossible to stabilize in their absence. Liquid marbles, particle-coated non-sticking liquid droplets, represent one of these materials. Preparation of liquid marbles was described only about 15 years ago and they are now widely studied by many research groups and numerous applications of liquid marbles have been advanced. The book is written for postgraduates and researchers working on the area who are training to become chemists, soft matter physicists, materials scientists, and engineers.

Geometry and topology have been a fascination in physics since the start of the 20th century. A leading example is Einstein's geometrical theory of gravity. At the beginning of the 1970s, topological ideas entered areas of condensed matter physics. These advances were driven by new seminal ideas resolving a serious contradiction between experiment and the standard interpretation of a rigorous mathematical theorem which led to the study of new exotic topological phases of matter. Topological defect driven phase transitions in thin, two dimensional films of superfluids, superconductors and crystals have provided great insight into the mechanism governing these topological phases present in those physical systems. Moreover, many of these topological properties remain 'protected' against disorder and topological distortion perturbations. An example of possible applications of such robustness to perturbations is in the search for encoding information in quantum computers, potentially providing the platform for fault-tolerant quantum computations.In the past four decades, the discovery of topological phases engendered great interest in condensed matter physics. It also attracted the attention of researchers working on quantum information, quantum materials and simulations, high energy physics and string theory. This unique volume contains articles written by some of the most prominent names in the field, including Nobel Laureate John Michael Kosterlitz and Professor Jorge V Jose. They originate from talks and discussions by leading experts at a recent workshop. They review previous works as well as addressing contemporary developments in the most pressing and important issues on various aspects of topological phases and topological phase transitions.

'Written by two professors emeriti with a long and distinguished career both in research and teaching, the book clearly shows the wide experience of its authors ... This is a good book, carefully prepared, full of details and appropriate for its scope. Those who will profit the most from it are the students who are obliged (or prefer) to study independently. They will appreciate the clarity of exposition and will find the numerous problems both stimulating and rewarding. What sets the book apart are undoubtedly the detailed solutions to all of the problems.'Contemporary PhysicsThis is an introductory book on solid state physics. It is a translation of a Hebrew version, written for the Open University in Israel. Aimed mainly for self-study, the book contains appendices with the necessary background, explains each calculation in detail and contains many solved problems. The bulk of the book discusses the basic concepts of periodic crystals, including lattice structures, radiation scattering off crystals, crystal bonding, vibrations of crystals, and electronic properties. On the other hand, the book also presents brief reviews of advanced topics, e.g. quasicrystals, soft condensed matter, mesoscopic physics and the quantum Hall effect. There are also many specific examples drawn from modern research topics, e.g. perovskite oxides relevant for high temperature superconductivity, graphene, electrons in low dimensions and more.