The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science. The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics. Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned. Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students

The present book provides a contemporary systematic treatment of shock waves in high-temperature collisionless plasmas as are encountered in near Earth space and in Astrophysics. It consists of two parts. Part I develops the complete theory of shocks in dilute hot plasmas under the assumption of absence of collisions among the charged particles when the interaction is mediated solely by the self-consistent electromagnetic fields. Such shocks are naturally magnetised implying that the magnetic field plays an important role in their evolution and dynamics. This part treats subcritical shocks which dissipate flow energy by generating anomalous resistance or viscosity. The main emphasis is, however, on super-critical shocks where the anomalous dissipation is insufficient to retard the upstream flow. These shocks, depending on the direction of the upstream magnetic field, are distinguished as quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel shocks which exhibit different behaviours, reflecting particles back upstream and generating high electromagnetic wave intensities. Particle acceleration and turbulence at such shocks become possible and important. Part II treats planetary bow shocks and the famous Heliospheric Termination shock as examples of two applications of the theory developed in part I.

This book explores new experimental phase diagrams of non-oxide ceramics, with a particular focus on the silicon nitride, silicon carbide and aluminum nitride, as well as the ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) systems. It features more than 80 experimental phase diagrams of these non-oxide ceramics, including three phase diagrams of UHTC systems, constructed by the authors. Physical chemistry data covering the period since the 1970s, collected by the author Z.K.Huang, is presented in six tables in the appendixes. It also includes 301 figures involving about 150 material systems. Most of the phase diagrams have been selected from the ACerS-NIST database with copyright permission. The book methodically presents numerous diagrams previously scattered in various journals and conferences worldwide. Providing extensive experimental data, it is a valuable reference resource on ceramics development and design for academic researchers, R&D engineers and graduate students.

This book presents a collection of selected reviews from PLMMP 2018 that address modern problems in the fields of liquids, solutions and confined systems, critical phenomena, as well as colloidal and biological systems. The papers focus on state-of-the-art developments in the contemporary physics of liquid matter, and are divided into four parts: (i) water and water systems, (ii) physical-chemical properties of liquid systems, (iii) aggregation in liquid systems, and (iv) biological aspects of liquid systems, irradiation influences on liquid systems. Taken together, they cover the latest developments in the broader field of liquid states, including interdisciplinary problems.

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 this book Gregor Posnjak unravels the long-standing mystery of the internal director structure of chiral nematic droplets, which has been studied both experimentally and theoretically since the 1970s. To do so, he develops a new method for the reconstruction of director fields from a set of fluorescent confocal polarising microscopy images, which he augments with a simulated annealing algorithm. This allows the full reconstruction of 3D director fields, describing the ordering of the liquid crystal. The reconstruction procedure and its principles, which are applicable to other methods of studying vector fields, are explained in detail. The method is subsequently used to explore complex 3D structures in chiral nematic liquid crystal droplets with perpendicular surface anchoring. Twentyfour distinct states are identified and presented, including the layered structures of different symmetries and states with multiple topological point defects, separated by localized chiral structures. In closing, the book reports on the first observation of topological point defects with higher topological charges q = 2 and q = 3.

The central subject of this thesis is the theoretical description of ultrafast dynamical processes in molecular systems of chemical interest and their control by laser pulses. This work encompasses different cutting-edge methods in quantum chemistry, quantum dynamics and for the rigorous description of the interaction of light and matter at the molecular level. It provides a general quantum mechanical framework for the description of chemical processes guided by laser pulses, in particular near conical intersections, i.e. geometries where the nuclear and electronic motions couple and the molecule undergoes non-adiabatic (or non-Born-Oppenheimer) dynamics. In close collaboration with experimentalists, the author succeeds in making a decisive step to link and to apply quantum physics to chemistry by transferring state of the art techniques and concepts developed in physics to chemistry, such as "light dressed atoms and molecules" and "adiabatic Floquet theory". He applies these techniques in three prototypic model systems (aniline, pyrazine and NHD2) using high-level electronic structure calculations. Readers will enjoy the comprehensive and accessible introduction to the topic and methodology, as well as the clear structure of the thesis.

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.

Femto-second Probing of Photoinduced Refractive Index Charges in Semiconductor; H.M. Van Driel, E.C. Fox. Tunneling of Electrons and Holes in Asymmetries Double Quantum Wells; J. Shah, et al. Ultrashort Excitation in Semiconductors; W.E. Bon. Contact-Free Characterization of Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices with Ultrashort Laser Pulses; J. Kuhl. Vibrational Relaxation Studied with Light; A. Lagendijk. Relaxation of Frenkeltype Rotational and Vibrational Excitons in Diatomic Molecular Crystals; E. Goovaertz. Quantum Transient Transport; C. Jacoboni, F. Rossi. Study of Irreversible Processes in Condensed Matter by Nonlinear Time and Space Resolved Techniques; Chr. Flytzanis. Index.

The book aims to describe the microscopic characterization of the soft matter in the light of new advances acquired in the science of microscopy techniques like AFM; SEM; TEM etc. It does not focus on the traditional information on the microscopy methods as well as systems already present in different books, but intends to answer more fundamental questions associated with commercially important systems by using new advances in microscopy. Such questions are generally not answered by other techniques. The contents of the book also reflect this as the chapters are not based on describing only material systems, but are based on the answering the problems or questions arising in their characterization. Both qualitative as well as quantitative analysis using such microscopic techniques is discussed. Moreover, efforts have been made to provide a broader reach as discussions on both polymers as well as biological matter have been included as different sections. Such a text with comprehensive overview of the various characterization possibilities using microscopy methods can serve as a valuable reference for microscopy experts as well as non-experts alike

From fabrication to testing and modeling this monograph covers all aspects on the materials class of magneto active polymers. The focus is on computational modeling of manufacturing processes and material parameters. As other smart materials, these elastomers have the ability to change electrical and mechanical properties upon application of magnetic fields. This allows for novel applications ranging from biomedical engineering to mechatronics.

Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics: Progress in Methods and Applications is a collection of 33 selected papers from the scientific contributions presented at the 16th International Workshop on Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics (QSCP-XVI), held at Ishikawa Prefecture Museum of Art in Kanazawa, Japan, from September 11th to 17th, 2011. The volume discusses the state of the art, new trends, and the future of methods in mol- ecular quantum mechanics and their applications to a wide range of problems in physics, chemistry, and biology. The breadth and depth of the scientific topics discussed during QSCP-XVI appears in the classification of the contributions in six parts: I. Fundamental Theory II. Molecular Processes III. Molecular Structure IV. Molecular Properties V. Condensed Matter VI. Biosystems. Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics: Progress in Methods and Applications is written for advanced graduate students as well as for professionals in theoretical chemi- cal physics and physical chemistry. The book covers current scientific topics in mole- cular, nano, material, and bio sciences and provides insights into methodological deve- lopments and applications of quantum theory in physics, chemistry, and biology that have become feasible at the end of 2011.

After decades of dominance of genetics and genomics, the importance of structural biology is growing exponentially in the field of plant biology. The main objectives of this new book series is to "demystify" structural biology for plant researchers and to provide important insights into the basic molecular mechanisms underlying plant development through the diverse approaches utilized by structural biologists. The book series starts with a theme dedicated to hormonal signaling that has benefited from the application of structural biology. "Plant Structural Biology: Hormonal Regulations" provides up-to-date knowledge of the structural aspects of hormonal signal recognition, signal transduction, hormonal control of downstream regulatory pathways and hormonal crosstalk. The most distinctive features of this book as well as future titles is/will be to provide overview of cutting-edge research in the field of plant structural biology, and to serve as a compendium of various approaches that could be applied to problems being solved in modern plant biology. Last but not least, we hope this book will facilitate and broaden the community of (not only) plant scientists who are interested in structural biology approaches and tools. For these reasons, the style of this series is concise and general, in order to avoiding unnecessary details. Explanatory boxes describing the basics of specific approaches (e.g. X-ray crystallography, NMR, SAXS, molecular dynamics simulations, etc.) are included.

The present research studies the fundamental physics occurring during the magnetic flux and magnetized plasma compression by plasma implosion. This subject is relevant to numerous studies in laboratory and space plasmas. Recently, it has attracted particular interest due to the advances in producing high-energy-density plasmas in fusion-oriented experiments, based on the approach of magnetized plasma compression. The studied configuration consists of a cylindrical gas-puff shell with pre-embedded axial magnetic field that pre-fills the anode-cathode gap. Subsequently, axial pulsed current is driven through the plasma generating an azimuthal magnetic field that compresses the plasma and the axial magnetic field embedded in it. A key parameter for the understanding of the physics occurring during the magnetized plasma compression is the evolution and distribution of the axial and azimuthal magnetic fields. Here, for the first time ever, both fields are measured simultaneously employing non-invasive spectroscopic methods that are based on the polarization properties of the Zeeman effect. These measurements reveal unexpected results of the current distribution and the nature of the equilibrium between the axial and azimuthal fields. These observations show that a large part of the current does not flow in the imploding plasma, rather it flows through a low-density plasma residing at large radii. The development of a force-free current configuration is suggested to explain this phenomenon. Previously unpredicted observations in higher-power imploding-magnetized-plasma experiments, including recent unexplained structures observed in the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion experiment, may be connected to the present discovery.

This book explores the interplay of bubble dynamics and shock waves, covering shock wave emission by laser generated bubbles, pulsating bubbles near boundaries, interaction of shock waves with bubble clouds, applications in shock wave lithotripsy, and more.

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.

This is the first book to systematically consider the modern aspects of chaotic dynamics of magnetic field lines and charged particles in magnetically confined fusion plasmas. The analytical models describing the generic features of equilibrium magnetic fields and magnetic perturbations in modern fusion devices are presented. It describes mathematical and physical aspects of onset of chaos, generic properties of the structure of stochastic magnetic fields, transport of charged particles in tokamaks induced by magnetic perturbations, new aspects of particle turbulent transport, etc. The presentation is based on the classical and new unique mathematical tools of Hamiltonian dynamics, like the action--angle formalism, classical perturbation theory, canonical transformations of variables, symplectic mappings, the Poincare-Melnikov integrals. They are extensively used for analytical studies as well as for numerical simulations of magnetic field lines, particle dynamics, their spatial structures and statistical properties. The numerous references to articles on the latest development in the area are provided. The book is intended for graduate students and researchers who interested in the modern problems of magnetic stochasticity in magnetically confined fusion plasmas. It is also useful for physicists and mathematicians interested in new methods of Hamiltonian dynamics and their applications.

Magnetic impurities in a non-magnetic host metal have been actively explored in condensed matter physics in recent last decades. From both fundamental and applied viewpoints these systems are very interesting because they can exhibit strong electronic correlations that give rise to various fascinating phenomena beyond the single particle picture. Up to now our understanding of the underlying processes remains limited due to difficulties involved in measuring these systems on a microscopic scale. With their unique control, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) allow for the first time investigations of phenomena occurring on very small length and energy scales. Here, single magnetic iron and cobalt atoms embedded beneath a metal surface are investigated using these techniques. In particular, the transition from single impurity Kondo physics to two interacting impurities is studied in real space. This thesis contains a comprehensive description of the STM /STS technique, sub-surface impurities, as well as single- and two-impurity Kondo physics - and as such offers a valuable introduction to newcomers to the field.

Radiation from spectral lines can be absorbed and re- emitted many times in atomic vapours before it reaches the boundaries of the container encasing the vapour. This effect is known as radiation trapping. It plays an important role practically everywhere where atomic vapours occur, e.g. in spectroscopy, in gas lasers, in atomic line filters, in the determination of atomic lifetimes, in measurements of atomic interaction potentials, and in electric discharge lamps. This book for the first time assembles all the information necessary for a treatment of practical problems, emphasizing both physical insights and mathematical methods. After an introduction that reviews resonance radiation and collisional processes in atomic vapours, physical effects and mathematical methods for various types of problems (e.g. with or without saturation, particle diffusion, reflecting cell walls, etc.) are explained in detail. The last part of the book describes the applications of these methods to a variety of practical problems like cross-section measurements or the design of discharge lamps.

Since the publication of volume 3 in 1982 there has been a revival of research on magnetism and a pronounced increase in interest from both the scientific and the technological side. Volume 5 therefore contains chapters that provide the reader with an insight into modern trends in magnetism and new achievements in this area. The topics dealt with here include the increased activity and investigations of the magnetism of magnetic superconductors and investigations of the magnetic properties of hydrides, the understanding of first-order magnetic processes and of quadrupolar interactions in 4f systems and their role in magnetic ordering and magneto-elastic effects, and the magnetism of strongly enhanced itinerant alloys and compounds and the magnetism of Invar alloys.

Solid state physics is the branch of physics primarily devoted to the study of matter in its solid phase, especially at the atomic level. This prestigious serial presents timely and state-of-the-art reviews pertaining to all aspects of solid state physics.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

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 book covers the history of lasers with nuclear pumping (Nuclear Pumped Lasers, NPLs). This book showcases the most important results and stages of NPL development in The Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF) as well as other Russian and international laboratories, including laboratories in the United States. The basic science and technology behind NPLs along with potential applications are covered throughout the book. As the first comprehensive discussion of NPLs, students, researchers, and application engineers interested in high energy lasers will find this book to be an extremely valuable source of information about these unique lasers.