This thesis provides the first comprehensive theoretical overview of the electronic and optical properties of two dimensional (2D) Indium Selenide: atomically thin films of InSe ranging from monolayers to few layers in thickness. The thesis shows how the electronic propertes of 2D InSe vary significantly with film thickness, changing from a weakly indirect semiconductor for the monolayer to a direct gap material in the bulk form, with a strong band gap variation with film thickness predicted and recently observed in optical experiments. The proposed theory is based on a specially designed hybrid k.p tight-binding model approach (HkpTB), which uses an intralayer k.p Hamiltonian to describe the InSe monolayer, and tight-binding-like interlayer hopping. Electronic and optical absorption spectra are determined, and a detailed description of subbands of electrons in few-layer films and the influence of spin-orbit coupling is provided. The author shows that the principal optical excitations of InSe films with the thickness from 1 to 15 layers broadly cover the visible spectrum, with the possibility of extending optical functionality into the infrared and THz range using intersubband transitions.

The authors begin this book with a systematic overview of superconductivity, superconducting materials, magnetic levitation, and superconducting magnetic levitation - the prerequisites to understand the latter part of the book - that forms a solid foundation for further study in High Temperature Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (HTS Maglev). This book presents our research progress on HTS Maglev at Applied Superconductivity Laboratory (ASCLab) of Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU), China, with an emphasis on the findings that led to the world's first manned HTS Maglev test vehicle "Century". The book provides a detailed description on our previous work at ASCLab including the designing of the HTS Maglev test and measurement method as well as the apparatus, building "Century", developing the HTS Maglev numerical simulation system, and making new progress on HTS Maglev. The final parts of this book discuss research and prototyping efforts at ASCLab in several adjacent fi elds including HTS Maglev bearing, Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) and HTS maglev launch technology. We hope this book becomes a valuable source for researchers and engineers working in the fascinating field of HTS Maglev science and engineering. Contents Fundamentals of superconductivity Superconducting materials Magnetic levitation Superconducting magnetic levitation HTS Maglev experimental methods and set-up First manned HTS Maglev vehicle in the world Numerical simulations of HTS Maglev New progress of HTS Maglev vehicle HTS Maglev bearing and flywheel energy storage system HTS Maglev launch technology

Plasmonics is entering the curriculum of many universities, either as a stand alone subject, or as part of some course or courses. Nanotechnology institutes have been, and are being, established in universities, in which plasmonics is a significant topic of research. Modern Plasmonics offers a comprehensive presentation of the properties of surface plasmon polaritons, in systems of different structures and various natures, e.g. active, nonlinear, graded, theoretical/computational and experimental techniques for studying them, and their use in a variety of applications.

This volume attempts to fill the gap between standard introductions to solid state physics, and textbooks which give a sophisticated treatment of strongly correlated systems. Starting with the basics of the microscopic theory of magnetism, one proceeds with relatively elementary arguments to such topics of current interest as the Mott transition, heavy fermions, and quantum magnetism. The basic approach is that magnetism is one of the manifestations of electron-electron interaction, and its treatment should be part of a general discussion of electron correlation effects.Though the text is primarily theoretical, a large number of illustrative examples are brought from the experimental literature. There are many problems, with detailed solutions.The book is based on the material of lectures given at the Diploma Course of the International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, and later at the Technical University and the R. Eoetvoes University of Budapest, Hungary.

This book focuses on novel electrochemical materials particularly designed for specific energy applications. It presents the relationship between materials properties, state-of-the-art processing, and device performance and sheds light on the research, development, and deployment (RD&D) trend of emerging materials and technologies in this field. Features: Emphasizes electrochemical materials applied in PEM fuel cells and water splitting Summarizes anode, cathode, electrolyte, and additive materials developed for lithium-ion batteries and reviews other batteries, including lithium-air, lithium-sulfur, sodium- and potassium-ion batteries, and multivalent-ion batteries Discusses advanced carbon materials for supercapacitors Highlights catalyst design and development for CO2RR and fundamentals of proton facilitated reduction reactions With a cross-disciplinary approach, this work will be of interest to scientists and engineers across chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, and other disciplines working to advance electrochemical energy conversion and storage capabilities and applications.

Formal Methods: A Reaction Theory and the Relation Between Widths and Energy Shifts; F.B. Malik. The Control of Chaos; B.A. Huberman. Classical and Quantum Fluids: Compressible RayleighBenard Convection in a Hard Disks System; D. Risso, P. Cordero. Positron Annihilation as a Probe of Localized States in Fluids; B.N. Miller. Electronic Systems, Atoms, and Molecules: Lower Bound Aspects of Fermion Density Functionals; J.K. Percus. Selfconsistent Semiclassical Mean Field; M. Casas, et al. High Tc Superconductivity: Search of Superconductivity in Metal Clusters; M. Barranco, et al. Stochastic Processes: Reactant Segregation; H.S. Wio, et al. Nuclear and Particle Physics: A Direct Approach to the Tamm-Dancoff Approximation; R.C. Bochicchio, H. Grinberg. Overview Talk: Some Considerations on the Greenhouse Effect and Related Problems; V.M. Canuto. 30 additional articles. Index.

Covers a broad range of topics on the crystal chemistry, thin-film and crystal growth, and various physical properties of rare-earth borides, including detailed reviews of their structural and thermodynamic properties, electronic properties in the bulk and at the surface, and magnetic behavior at low temperatures from the perspective of both theory and experiment Includes a comprehensive review of the crystal-growth methods and their influence on the quality of single-crystalline samples across different structural families of rare-earth borides Encompasses comprehensive reviews of the lattice and electron dynamical properties from the perspective of Raman scattering, inelastic neutron scattering, and x-ray spectroscopy. In particular, a multifaceted analysis of the low-temperature magnetic dynamics associated with the multipolar ordering phenomena is highlighted Contains two chapters on the theory of multipolar excitations in rare-earth borides, authored by the leading experts in the physics of f-electron Kondo systems Features a contribution by Priscila F. S. Rosa and Zachary Fisk about the electronic properties of the Kondo insulator SmB6 that received a lot of attention in recent years due to its intensely debated topological electronic properties

Euromat is the biennial meeting of the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) constituted by its 24 member societies in Europe. The 2003 meeting took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, and was organised by the French, German and Swiss member societies: Societe Francaise de Metallurgie et de Materiaux (SF2M) Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Materialkunde (DGM) Schweizerischer Verband fur die Materialtechnik (SVMT) The scientific programme of the EUROMAT 2003 congress was divided into 15 topics that in turn were substructured into 47 symposia. The present volume of the Euromat Publication series refers to selected papers of the Topic A: Materials for Information Technology Peter Paul Schepp Conference Organiser of EUROMAT 2003 Preface Information technology (IT) is driving the need for research, development and - troduction of new materials and concepts for applications requiring significantly increased electrical and optical functionality. In particular, microelectronic pr- ucts must be improved continuously to meet performance demands while mainta- ing acceptable levels of reliability. For the semiconductor industry, the challenges to process technology and advanced materials are outlined in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). Microelectronic and, in the longer term, nanoelectronic products of future technology generations rely on - vanced materials for the so-called front-end-of-line and back-end-of-line processes on the waferlevel (die level) as well as for assembly and packaging. More than ever before, the dramatic productivity enhancement of the IT era will only be p- sible using advanced materials. Transistor and interconnect scaling has brought microelectronics a long way."

This book collects lecture courses and seminars given at the Les Houches Summer School 2010 on "Quantum Theory: From Small to Large Scales." Fundamental quantum phenomena appear on all scales, from microscopic to macroscopic. Some of the pertinent questions include the onset of decoherence, the dynamics of collective modes, the influence of external randomness and the emergence of dissipative behaviour. Our understanding of such phenomena has been advanced by the study of model systems and by the derivation and analysis of effective dynamics for large systems and over long times. In this field, research in mathematical physics has regularly contributed results that were recognized as essential in the physics community. During the last few years, the key questions have been sharpened and progress on answering them has been particularly strong. This book reviews the state-of-the-art developments in this field and provides the necessary background for future studies. All chapters are written from a pedagogical perspective, making the book accessible to master and PhD students and researchers willing to enter this field.

Small-angle scattering (SAS) is the premier technique for the characterization of disordered nanoscale particle ensembles. SAS is produced by the particle as a whole and does not depend in any way on the internal crystal structure of the particle. Since the first applications of X-ray scattering in the 1930s, SAS has developed into a standard method in the field of materials science. SAS is a non-destructive method and can be directly applied for solid and liquid samples. Particle and Particle Systems Characterization: Small-Angle Scattering (SAS) Applications is geared to any scientist who might want to apply SAS to study tightly packed particle ensembles using elements of stochastic geometry. After completing the book, the reader should be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of the application of SAS for the characterization of physical and chemical materials.

"Topological Insulators," volume six in the "Contemporary Concepts of Condensed Matter Series," describes the recent revolution in condensed matter physics that occurred in our understanding of crystalline solids. The book chronicles the work done worldwide that led to these discoveries and provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the field.

Starting in 2004, theorists began to explore the effect of topology on the physics of band insulators, a field previously considered well understood. However, the inclusion of topology brings key new elements into this old field. Whereas it was thought that all band insulators are essentially equivalent, the new theory predicts two distinct classes of band insulators in two spatial dimensions and 16 classes in three dimensions. These "topological" insulators exhibit a host of unusual physical properties, including topologically protected gapless surface states and exotic electromagnetic response, previously thought impossible in such systems.

Within a short time, this new state of quantum matter, topological insulators, has been discovered experimentally both in 2D thin film structures and in 3D crystals and alloys. It appears that topological insulators are quite common in nature, and there are dozens of confirmed substances that exhibit this behavior. Theoretical and experimental studies of these materials are ongoing with the goal of attaining the fundamental understanding and exploiting them in future practical applications.
Usable as a textbook for graduate students and as a reference resource for professionalsIncludes the most recent discoveries and visions for future technological applicationsAll authors are prominent in the field

This volume presents lecture notes of the 12th International School of Theoretical Physics held in 2016 in Rzeszow, Poland. The lectures serve as an introduction for young physicists starting their career in condensed matter theoretical physics. The book provides a comprehensive overview of modern ideas and advances in theories and experiments of new materials, quantum nanostructures as well as new mathematical methods.This lecture note is an essential source of reference for physicists and materials scientists. It is also a suitable reading for graduate students.

"Solid State Physics "is a textbook for students of physics, material science, chemistry, and engineering. It is the state-of-the-art presentation of the theoretical foundations and application of the quantum structure of matter and materials.

This second edition provides timely coverage of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the last decade (especially in low-dimensional systems and quantum transport). It helps build readers' understanding of the newest advances in condensed matter physics with rigorous yet clear mathematics. Examples are an integral part of the text, carefully designed to apply the fundamental principles illustrated in the text to currently active topics of research.

Basic concepts and recent advances in the field are explained in tutorial style and organized in an intuitive manner. The book is a basic reference work for students, researchers, and lecturers in any area of solid-state physics.
Features additional material on nanostructures, giving students and lecturers the most significant features of low-dimensional systems, with focus on carbon allotropesOffers detailed explanation of dissipative and nondissipative transport, and explainsthe essential aspects in a field, which is commonly overlooked in textbooksAdditional material in the classical and quantum Hall effect offers further aspects on magnetotransport, with particular emphasis on the current profilesGives a broad overview of the band structure of solids, as well as presenting the foundations of the electronic band structure. Also features reported with new and revised material, which leads to the latest research"

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.

The book provides a technical account of the basic physics of nanostructures, which are the foundation of the hardware found in all manner of computers. It will be of interest to semiconductor physicists and electronic engineers and advanced research students. Crystalline nanostructures have special properties associated with electrons and lattice vibrations and their interaction. The result of spatial confinement of electrons is indicated in the nomenclature of nanostructures: quantum wells, quantum wires, quantum dots. Confinement also has a profound effect on lattice vibrations. The documentation of the confinement of acoustic modes goes back to Lord Rayleigh's work in the late nineteenth century, but no such documentation exists for optical modes. It is only comparatively recently that any theory of the elastic properties of optical modes exists, and a comprehensive account is given in this book. A model of the lattice dynamics of the diamond lattice is given that reveals the quantitative distinction between acoustic and optical modes and the difference of connection rules that must apply at an interface. The presence of interfaces in nanostructures forces the hybridization of longitudinally and transversely polarized modes, along with, in polar material, electromagnetic modes. Hybrid acoustic and optical modes are described, with an emphasis on polar-optical phonons and their interaction with electrons. Scattering rates in single heterostructures, quantum wells and quantum wires are described and the anharmonic interaction in quantum dots discussed. A description is given of the effects of dynamic screening of hybrid polar modes and the production of hot phonons.

The thesis tackles one of the most difficult problems of modern nanoscale science and technology - exploring what governs thermal phenomena at the nanoscale, how to measure the temperatures in devices just a few atoms across, and how to manage heat transport on these length scales. Nanoscale heat generated in microprocessor components of only a few tens of nanometres across cannot be effectively fed away, thus stalling the famous Moore's law of increasing computer speed, valid now for more than a decade. In this thesis, Jean Spiece develops a novel comprehensive experimental and analytical framework for high precision measurement of heat flows at the nanoscale using advanced scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) operating in ambient and vacuum environment, and reports the world's first operation of cryogenic SThM. He applies the methodology described in the thesis to novel carbon-nanotube-based effective heat conductors, uncovers new phenomena of thermal transport in two- dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and boron nitride, thereby discovering an entirely new paradigm of thermoelectric cooling and energy production using geometrical modification of 2D materials.

The unique properties of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in magnetodielectric solids are widely used to create highly efficient analog information processing devices in the microwave range. Such devices include filters, delay lines, phase shifters, non-reciprocal and non-linear devices, and others. This book examines magnetic resonance and ferromagnetic resonance under a wide variety of conditions to study physical properties of magnetodielectric materials. The authors explore the properties in various mediums that significantly complicate magnetic resonance and provide a summary of related advances obtained during the last two decades. It also covers the emergence of new branches of the spectrum and anomalous dependencies on the magnetic field. Key Features: Reviews basic principles of the science of crystallographic symmetry and anisotropic solid-state properties Addresses the inhomogeneous nature of the distribution of the magnetization in the material being studied Explains the mathematic methods used in the calculation of anisotropic solids of a solid Provides the reader with a path to substitute electromagnetic waves when magnetostatic apparatus prove insufficient

Magnetostatic waves (MSWs) in magnetodielectric media are fundamental for the creation of various highly efficient devices for analog information processing in the microwave range. These devices include various filters, delay lines, phase shifters, frequency converters, nonreciprocal and nonlinear devices, and others. Magnetostatic Waves in Inhomogeneous Fields examines magnetostatic waves and their distribution in non-uniformly magnetized films and structures. The propagation of magnetostatic waves in magnetodielectric environments is accompanied by numerous and very diverse physical effects, sharply distinguishing them from ordinary electromagnetic waves in isotropic media. The authors address dispersion properties and noncollinearity of phase and group velocity vectors, as well as non-reciprocal propagation. Key Features Offers mathematical tools used in the calculation of properties of magnetostatic waves Includes a current literature review of magnetostatic waves and domain structures in garnet-ferrite films Considers the issue of converting magnetostatic waves into electromagnetic ones

This text serves as a pedagogical introduction to the theoretical concepts on application of topology in condensed matter systems. It covers an introduction to basic concepts of topology, emphasizes the relation of geometric concepts such as the Berry phase to topology, having in mind applications in condensed matter. In addition to describing two basic systems such as topological insulators and topological superconductors, it also reviews topological spin systems and photonic systems. It also describes the use of quantum information concepts in the context of topological phases and phase transitions, and the effect of non-equilibrium perturbations on topological systems.This book provides a comprehensive introduction to topological insulators, topological superconductors and topological semimetals. It includes all the mathematical background required for the subject. There are very few books with such a coverage in the market.

Heavy electrons are found among a number of lanthanide and actinide compounds, and are characterized by a large effective mass which becomes comparable to the mass of a muon. Heavy electrons exhibit rich phenomena such as unconventional superconductivity, weak anti- ferromagnetism, or pseudo meta-magnetism. This book is intended not only as a monograph, but can readily serve as an advanced textbook on theoretical and experimental physics of strongly correlated electrons. Over the last two decades, heavy electrons have been the focus of very active experimental and theoretical studies. Many established ideas and techniques have been insufficient to describe and understand heavy electrons and their impact properly. On the theoretical side, quantum fluctuations make mean-field theories difficult to handle, while on the experimental side, extreme conditions such as strong magnetic fields and pressure at ultra-low temperatures may be required. Heavy electron systems as described in this book offer a case study for applying and testing most of the major tools in theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics. Graduate students and researchers working on strongly correlated condensed matter systems will find in this book a comprehensive introduction and many examples how conventional concepts of solids may work or not work, and how they can be refined and sharpened in the context of heavy electron systems.

In recent years, there have been important developments in the design and fabrication of new thermoelectrics. While a decade ago, progress was mainly empirical, recent advances in theoretical methods have led to a deeper understanding of the parameters that affect the performance of materials in thermoelectric devices. These have brought the goal of producing materials with the required characteristics for commercial application a significant step closer. A search for efficient materials requires a fully microscopic treatment of the charge and heat transport, and the aim of this book is to explain all thermoelectric phenomena from this modern quantum-mechanical perspective. In the first part on phenomenology, conjugate current densities and forces are derived from the condition that the rate of change of the entropy density of the system in the steady state is given by the scalar product between them. The corresponding transport coefficients are explicitly shown to satisfy Onsager's reciprocal relations. The transport equations are solved for a number of cases, and the coefficient of performance, the efficiency, and the figure of merit are computed. State-of-the-art methods for the solution of the transport equations in inhomogeneous thermoelectrics are presented. A brief account on how to include magnetization transport in the formalism is also given. In the second part, quantum mechanical expressions for the transport coefficients are derived, following the approach by Luttinger. These are shown to satisfy Onsager's relations by construction. Three lattice models, currently used to describe strongly correlated electron systems, are introduced: the Hubbard, the Falicov-Kimball, and the periodic Anderson model (PAM), and the relevant current density operators are derived for each of them. A proof of the Jonson-Mahan theorem, according to which all transport coefficients for these models can be obtained from the integral of a unique transport function multiplied by different powers of the frequency, is given. The third part compares theory and experiment. First for the thermoelectric properties of dilute magnetic alloys, where the theoretical results are obtained from poor man's scaling solutions to single impurity models. Then it is shown that the experimental data on heavy fermions and valence fluctuators are well reproduced by the transport coefficients computed for the PAM at low and high temperature. Finally, results obtained from first principles calculations are shown, after a short introduction to density functional theory and beyond. A number of useful appendices complete the book.

This monograph, suitable for use as an advanced text, presents the statistical mechanics of solids from the perspective of the material properties of the solid state.

This monograph offers a comprehensive overview of diverse quantization phenomena in layered materials, covering current mainstream experimental and theoretical research studies, and presenting essential properties of layered materials along with a wealth of figures. This book illustrates commonly used synthesis methods of these 2D materials and compares the calculated results and experimental measurements, including novel features not yet reported. The book also discusses experimental measurements of magnetic quantization, theoretical modeling for studying systems and covers diversified magneto-electronic properties, magneto-optical selection rules, unusual quantum Hall conductivities, and single- and many-particle magneto-Coulomb excitations. Rich and unique behaviors are clearly revealed in few-layer graphene systems with distinct stacking configuration, stacking-modulated structures, silicon-doped lattices, bilayer silicene/germanene systems with the bottom-top and bottom-bottom buckling structures, monolayer and bilayer phosphorene systems, and quantum topological insulators. The generalized tight-binding model, the static and dynamic Kubo formulas, and the random-phase approximation are developed/modified to thoroughly explore the fundamental properties and propose the concise physical pictures. Different high-resolution experimental measurements are discussed in detail, and they are consistent with the theoretical predictions. Aimed at readers working in materials science, physics, and engineering this book should be useful for potential applications in energy storage, electronic devices, and optoelectronic devices.

The first book to present a systematic approach to nanosystems Fully supplemented with actual examples and scores of figures and photo illustrations, Integrated Chemical Systems takes the discussion of nanotechnology and nanosystems out of the realm of speculation and into the real world. This book presents a detailed discussion of various approaches to the fabrication and characterization of nanosystems and offers a firm theoretical basis for the operation of electrochemical and photoelectrochemical systems, making analogies between synthetic and naturally occurring nanosystems. The author uses examples taken from his own groundbreaking research and that of others to create a clear picture of the progress that has been made in this exciting new area of research. Having established the state of the art, he goes on to offer realistic projections of future systems and their applications. Topics discussed include:

• Currently available methods for the construction and characterization of nanosystems, including spectroscopic and nuclear magnetic resonance systems
• Modified electrodes and electrochemical methods for characterizing them
• Fabrication of semiconductor-based systems for photoelectrochemistry
• Suggestions and ideas for future research and projections of future systems and their applications

This book explores why the properties of liquid crystals make them ideal for use in photovoltaic applications. It achieves this by presenting a description of the properties of liquid crystals and how their electronic properties compare to that of polymers used in organic photovoltaics. It explores how the type of liquid crystal chosen can help in improving the efficiency of the photovoltaics. It compares experimental and theoretical ways in which the efficiency is directly or indirectly estimated between the organic photovoltaics and the organic photovoltaics that contain a liquid crystal. It first introduces liquid crystals and their different varieties, before reviewing their electronic transfer properties and how they can improve efficiency. It is an ideal text for graduate students and young researches considering entering the area of photovoltaics - specifically, organic photovoltaics - who do not yet have knowledge of this field. Introduces the field of liquid crystals and provides basic information to those new to the field, in a concise and visual manner Describes which characteristics of a liquid crystal are most advantageous to use in photovoltaics Provides basic knowledge of photovoltaics for those who do not have previous knowledge of how they behave electronically