The author describes superfluidity as the jewel in the crown of low temperature physics. At low enough temperatures, every substance in thermal equilibrium must become ordered. Since some materials remain fluid to the lowest temperatures, it is a fascinating question as to how this ordering can take place. One possibility is the formation of a superfluid state, a state in which there is macroscopic quantum order, effectively quantum mechanics in a tea-cup. These ideas are developed in chapter 1. The book assumes some basic knowledge of quantum, statistical and thermal physics, and builds on this background to give a readable introduction to the three superfluids of low temperature physics.
A Short chapter describing experimental techniques is included. The emphasis throughout is on physical principles rather than technical detail, with the aim of introducing the subject in an accessible yet authoritative way to final year undergraduates or starting postgraduate students.

Explores a unique topic in physics. Traces the author's search for hypothetical subatomic particles. Both a memoir and a scientific detective story. Employs humor and eliminates jargon wherever possible. Suitable for both general readers and scientists.

Since the major discovery of 'giant magnetoresistance' (GMR) in 1988, spin-dependent transport phenomena in magnetic nanostructures have received much attention from an academic and a technological point of view. This cutting-edge book, edited by two of the world's leading authorities, introduces and explains the basics physics and applications of a variety of spin-dependent transport phenomena in magnetic nanostructures with particular emphasis on magnetic multilayers and magnetic tunnel junctions.

Models for the mechanical behavior of porous media introduced more than 50 years ago are still relied upon today, but more recent work shows that, in some cases, they may violate the laws of thermodynamics. In The Thermophysics of Porous Media, the author shows that physical consistency requires a unique description of dynamic processes that involve porous media, and that new dynamic variables-porosity, saturation, and megascale concentration-naturally enter into the large-scale description of porous media. The new degrees of freedom revealed in this study predict new dynamic processes that are not associated with compressional motions.

The book details the construction of a Lorentz invariant thermodynamic lattice gas model and shows how the associated nonrelativistic, Galilean invariant model can be used to describe flow in porous media. The author develops the equations of seismic wave propagation in porous media, the associated boundary conditions, and surface waves. He also constructs the equations for both immiscible and miscible flows in porous media and their related instability problems.

The implications of the physical theory presented in this book are significant, particularly in applications in geophysics and the petroleum industry. The Thermophysics of Porous Media offers a unique opportunity to examine the dynamic role that porosity plays in porous materials.

This book introduces acoustic wave theories using a reader-friendly matrix-based linear algebra approach. It will enable the reader to take advantage of software tools such as MATLAB (commercial codes) and OCTAVE (open-source codes) to gain better and deeper understanding of the underlying physics quickly. In this aspect, this text can be regarded as a practical introduction of the acoustic wave theories in an easy-to-follow linear algebra format using matrix manipulations instead of an abstract approach relying on tensor manipulations. The book also uses case studies to demonstrate how the fundamentals on acoustic waves discussed throughout the book are applied in device designs and analyses such that the connections and interdependences between the underlying sciences and the observed behavior and performances can be better appreciated by the reader. To achieve this, all problems for illustrations, examples, case studies, and device analyses are developed and solved based on the mathematical foundations laid out in the book.

Contents:
Part I Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics 1. Introduction 2. Governing Equations 3. Classification of Partial Differential Equations 4. Well Posed Problems 5. Numerical Methods 6. The Finite Difference Method
Part II The Finite Analytic Method 7. Basic Principles 8. The One-Dimensional Case 9. The Two-Dimensional Case 10. The Tree-Dimensional Case 11. Stability of Convergence 12. Hyperbolic PDEs 13. Explicit Finite Analytic Method
Part III 14. Introduction to Grid Generation 15. Elliptic Grid Generation 16. Equations in E and n Coordinates 17. Diagonal Cartesian Method 18. FA Method on Diagonal Cartesian Coordinates
Part IV Computational Considerations 19. Velocity , Pressure and Staggered Grids 20. Non-staggered Grid Methods 21. Boundary Conditions
Applications of the FA Method 22. Turbulent Flows 23. Turbulent Heat Transfer 24. Complex Domain Flows 25. Conjugate Heat Transfer
A The One-Dimensional Case
B The Two-Dimensional Case

Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths: Including Actinides, Volume 54, is a continuous series of books covering all aspects of rare earth science, including chemistry, life sciences, materials science and physics. The book's main emphasis is on rare earth elements [Sc, Y, and the lanthanides (La through Lu], but whenever relevant, information is also included on the closely related actinide elements. Individual chapters are comprehensive, broad, up-to-date, critical reviews written by highly experienced, invited experts. The series, which was started in 1978 by Professor Karl A. Gschneidner Jr., combines, and integrates, both the fundamentals and applications of these elements.

Solid State Physics, Volume 69, provides the latest information on the branch of physics that is 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.

'Felix Flicker brilliantly reveals the secrets behind the modern-day magic we call physics' Marcus du Sautoy 'The world is already telling you its spells; the purpose of this book is to help you listen' Imagine you had a crystal that lit upon your command: magic must be at work, and you must surely be a wizard. But what if you discovered that you routinely cast such spells? Are the spells no longer magic ... or are you a wizard? The modern term for wizardry is condensed matter physics. It is the study of the world around us - the states of matter and how they emerge from the quantum realm. Thanks to its practical magic we can make lasers which cut through solid metal, trains which hover in mid-air, and crystals which light our homes. It is one of the best-kept secrets in science; a third of all physicists work on it, yet its story has never been told. Join Felix Flicker as he introduces the magic of condensed matter physics. It will be a journey that reveals the subtle spells that conjure crystals from chaos and create new particles that have never before existed. The Magick of Matter will revolutionise what you know about physics and reality; you'll never see the world in the same way again.

Covering colloids, polymers, surfactant phases, emulsions, and granular media, Soft and Fragile Matter: Nonequilibrium Dynamics, Metastability and Flow (PBK) provides self-contained and pedagogical coverage of the rapidly advancing field of systems driven out of equilibrium, with a strong emphasis on unifying conceptual principles rather than material-specific details. Written by internationally recognized experts, the book contains introductions at the level of a graduate course in soft condensed matter and statistical physics to the following areas: experimental techniques, polymers, rheology, colloids, computer simulation, surfactants, phase separation kinetics, driven systems, structural glasses, slow dynamics, and granular materials. These topics lead to a range of exciting applications at the forefront of current research, including microplasticity of emulsions, sequence design of copolymers, branched polymer dynamics, nucleation kinetics in colloids, multiscale modeling, flow-induced surfactant textures, fluid demixing under shear, two-time correlation functions, chaotic sedimentation dynamics, and sound propagation in powders. Balancing theory, simulation, and experiment, this broadly-based, pedagogical account of a rapidly developing field is an excellent compendium for graduate students and researchers in condensed matter physics, materials science, and physical chemistry.

The Plasma Boundary of Magnetic Fusion Devices introduces the physics of the plasma boundary region, including plasma-surface interactions, with an emphasis on those occurring in magnetically confined fusion plasmas. The book covers plasma-surface interaction, Debye sheaths, sputtering, scrape-off layers, plasma impurities, recycling and control, 1D and 2D fluid and kinetic modeling of particle transport, plasma properties at the edge, diverter and limiter physics, and control of the plasma boundary. Divided into three parts, the book begins with Part 1, an introduction to the plasma boundary. The derivations are heuristic and worked problems help crystallize physical intuition, which is emphasized throughout. Part 2 provides an introduction to methods of modeling the plasma edge region and for interpreting computer code results. Part 3 presents a collection of essays on currently active research hot topics. With an extensive bibliography and index, this book is an invaluable first port-of-call for researchers interested in plasma-surface interactions.

Compound Semiconductors 1998 explores research and development in key semiconductor materials and III-V compounds such as gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, gallium nitride, silicon germanium, and silicon carbide. It critically assesses progress in key technologies such as reliability assessment and reports on advances in the use of semiconductors in modern electronic and optoelectronic devices. Coverage in this volume reflects the increased interest and research funding in nitride-based materials; wide band-gap devices; mobile communications, including III-V-based transistors and photonic devices; crystal growth and characterization; and nanoscale phenomena, such as quantum wires, dots, and other low dimensional structures.

Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths: Including Actinides, Volume 53, is a continuous series covering all aspects of rare earth science, including chemistry, life sciences, materials science and physics. The book focuses on rare earth elements [Sc, Y, and the lanthanides (La through Lu], but when relevant, information is included on the related actinide elements. Individual chapters are comprehensive, up-to-date, critical reviews written by highly experienced, invited experts, with this release including chapters on a Comparison of the Electronic Properties of Lanthanides with Formally Isoelectronic Actinides, Redox catalysis with redox-inactive rare-earth ions in artificial photosynthesis, and more. The series, which was started in 1978 by Professor Karl A. Gschneidner Jr., combines, and integrates, both the fundamentals and applications of these elements with two published volumes each year.

The development and application of low-dimensional semiconductors have been rapid and spectacular during the past decade. Ever improving epitaxial growth and device fabrication techniques have allowed access to some remarkable new physics in quantum confined structures while a plethora of new devices has emerged. The field of optoelectronics in particular has benefited from these advances both in terms of improved performance and the invention of fundamentally new types of device, at a time when the use of optics and lasers in telecommunications, broadcasting, the Internet, signal processing, and computing has been rapidly expanding. An appreciation of the physics of quantum and dynamic electronic processes in confined structures is key to the understanding of many of the latest devices and their continued development. Semiconductor Quantum Optoelectronics covers new physics and the latest device developments in low-dimensional semiconductors. It allows those who already have some familiarity with semiconductor physics and devices to broaden and expand their knowledge into new and expanding topics in low-dimensional semiconductors. The book provides pedagogical coverage of selected areas of new and pertinent physics of low-dimensional structures and presents some optoelectronic devices presently under development. Coverage includes material and band structure issues and the physics of ultrafast, nonlinear, coherent, intersubband, and intracavity phenomena. The book emphasizes various devices, including quantum wells, visible, quantum cascade, and mode-locked lasers; microcavity LEDs and VCSELs; and detectors and logic elements. An underlying theme is high-speed phenomena and devices forincreased system bandwidths.

Features Introduces the physics of accelerators, lasers, and plasma in tandem with the industrial methodology of inventiveness. Outlines a path from idea to practical implementation of scientific and technological innovation. Contains more than 380 illustrations and numerous end-of-chapter exercises.

A thorough and up-to-date introduction to solid-state sensors, materials, fabrication processes, and applications Solid-State Sensors provides a comprehensive introduction to the field, covering fundamental principles, underlying theories, sensor materials, fabrication technologies, current and possible future applications, and more. Presented in a clear and accessible format, this reader-friendly textbook describes the fundamentals and classification of all major types of solid-state sensors, including piezoresistive, capacitive, thermometric, optical bio-chemical, magnetic, and acoustic-based sensors. Throughout the text, the authors offer insight into how different solid-state methods complement each other as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages in relation to specific devices and a variety of state-of-the-art applications. Detailed yet concise chapters include numerous visual illustrations and comparative tables of different subtypes of sensors for a given application. With in-depth discussion of recent developments, current research, and key challenges in the field of solid-state sensors, this volume: Describes solid-state sensing parameters and their importance in sensor characterization Explores possible future applications and breakthroughs in associated fields of research Covers the fundamental principles and relevant equations of sensing phenomena Discusses promising smart materials that have the potential for sensing applications Includes an overview of the history, classification, and terminology of sensors With well-balanced coverage of the fundamentals of sensor design, current and emerging applications, and the most recent research developments in the field, Solid-State Sensors is an excellent textbook for advanced students and professionals in disciplines such as Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering.

Providing a comprehensive overview of developments to both the academic and industrial communities, Compound Semiconductors 1996 covers all types of compound semiconducting materials and devices. The book includes results on blue and green lasers, heterostructure devices, nanoelectronics, and novel wide band gap semiconductors. With invited review papers and research results in current topics of interest, this volume is part of a well-known series of conferences for the dissemination of research results in the field.

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

Superconductivity of Metals and Cuprates covers the basic physics of superconductivity, both the theoretical and experimental aspects. The book concentrates on important facts and ideas, including Ginzburg-Landau equations, boundary energy, Green's function methods, and spectroscopy. Avoiding lengthy or difficult presentations of theory, it is written in a clear and lucid style with many useful, informative diagrams. The book is designed to be accessible to senior undergraduate students, making it a helpful tool for teaching superconductivity as well as serving as an introduction to those entering the field.

This is the first book devoted to a systematic description of the linear theory of piezoelectric shells and plates theory. The book contains two parts. In the first part, the theories for electroelastic thin-walled elements of arbitrary form with different directions of preliminary polarization are presented in an easy form for practical use. The approximate methods for integrating the equations of piezoelectric shells and plates are developed and applied for solving some engineering problems. In the second part, the theory of piezoelectric shells and plates is substantiated by the asymptotic method. The area of applicability for different kinds of electroelastic shell theories is studied. A new problem concerning the electroelastic phenomena at the edge of a thin-walled element is raised and solved.
The Theory of Piezoelectric Shells and Plates will be valuable to researchers working in the field of electroelasticity as well as to electrical and electronic engineers who use thin-walled piezoelements. It is also be helpful for students and post-graduates specializing in mechanics and for scientists concerning asymptotic methods.

Key features: Complete introductory overview of cosmic ray physics Covers the origins, acceleration, transport mechanisms and detection of these particles Mathematical and technical detail is kept separate from the main text

First and pioneering in the field Presents an authoritative description of a young field of research, with a long life ahead Clearly shows the role of multidisciplinary and team work, particularly addressed by combining theoretical/experimental expertise

Covers materials, chemistry, and technologies for nanowires. Covers the state-of-the-art progress and challenges in nanowires. Provides fundamentals of the electrochemical behavior of various electrochemical devices and sensors. Offers insights on tuning the properties of nanowires for many emerging applications. Provides new direction and understanding to scientists, researchers, and students.

Electromagnetic Instabilities in an Inhomogeneous Plasma presents a comprehensive survey of the theory of electromagnetic instabilities in a magnetized inhomogeneous plasma, mainly in the classical approximation of straight and parallel magnetic field lines as well as magnetic-field curvature effects. Using his expertise and experience, the author skillfully guides the reader through the theory; presenting the most important results from leading Russian and Western scientists. This timely and important work will enable new or experienced researchers to improve their knowledge of this important field of plasma research.

Although nitric oxide (NO) is an important biological signaling molecule, its free-radical electronic configuration makes it a most reactive molecule and the scariest colorless gas causing immense environmental and health hazards. Detection of NO levels in biological samples and in the atmosphere is therefore crucial. In the past few years, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing many active sensors and effective devices for detecting and quantifying atmospheric NO, NO generated in biological samples, and NO exhaled in the human breath. This book provides a concrete summary of recent state-of-the-art small-molecule probes and novel carbon nanomaterials used for chemical, photoluminescent, and electrochemical NO detection. One chapter is especially dedicated to the available devices used for detecting NO in the human breath that indirectly infers to lung inflammation. The authors with expertise in diverse dimensions have attempted to cover almost all areas of NO sensing.