Rudolf P. Huebener presents the field of superconductivity research in a clear and compact way. He vividly describes how this area has developed in many directions since the discovery of superconductivity more than 100 years ago. This concerns materials, experiments on the physical principles, theoretical understanding and technical applications. Among other things, the essential deals with the Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect, magnetic flux quantization, the Josephson effect, the BCS theory and high-temperature superconductivity. This Springer essential is a translation of the original German 1st edition essentials, Geschichte und Theorie der Supraleiter by Rudolf P. Huebener, published by Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, part of Springer Nature in 2017. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content, so that the book will read stylistically differently from a conventional translation. Springer Nature works continuously to further the development of tools for the production of books and on the related technologies to support the authors.

This compact undergraduate textbook provides a concise yet thorough introduction to the fundamentals of solid-state physics, while also briefly discussing the historical context surrounding key scholars in the field. The vivid explanations and unique didactic approach adopted in the book aim to generate interest in these subjects while also serving as a motivating primer and supporting companion for studying more detailed and advanced textbooks in solid-state physics. The book is also suitable as a quick refresher for students preparing for examinations. The third edition features many extensions, including an up-to-date discussion of topological materials, a rapidly developing area at the forefront of solid-state physics. Primarily concentrating on the electric and magnetic properties of materials, the book will benefit undergraduate students in the fields of physics, materials science, and electrical engineering.

Das essential bietet einen UEberblick zur Entstehung der Quantenphysik, beginnend bei Plancks Formulierung des Strahlungsgesetzes uber die Weiterentwicklung durch Albert Einstein bis hin zur modernen Quantenmechanik auf der Basis der Arbeiten von Heisenberg, Born und Jordan. Die am Fortschritt der modernen Quantenphysik beteiligten Wissenschaftler werden vorgestellt, ihre Theorien und die historischen Zusammenhange ausfuhrlich erlautert. Der Leser erhalt auf diese Weise einen fundierten Einblick in diesen hochwichtigen Teilbereich der Physik.