Questions tagged [solid-state-physics]
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How was crystallography studied before X-ray diffraction?
Nowadays, the crystal structure of some solids can be determined by using X-ray diffraction techniques based on Bragg's law and so on. However, after reading the timeline of crystallography, it seems ...
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What are some of the greatest predictions of new phenomena in condensed matter theory?
In condensed matter, most theories were developed to understand experimental results that could not be understood using classical physics or the contemporaneous theory. One can think for example of ...
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What is the history of $T\neq 0$ quantum field theory?
I am looking to understand the impact of finite temperature quantum field theory. specifically low energy version applied to condensed matter. Certainly it helps to treat many-body systems a ...
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Did quantum mechanics solve any open problems related to the optical properties of solids?
It is clear that the understanding that matter is made of atoms allows us to refine our calculations and go beyond the usual optics. Quantum mechanics solved many issues like the black body radiation, ...
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Did Felix Bloch really discover Bloch oscillations?
A 1929 paper by Felix Bloch, Über die Quantenmechanik der Elektronen in Kristallgittern, is widely cited as having predicted the phenomenon of Bloch oscillations: The oscillatory motion of an electron ...
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Are there any good books on the history of condensed matter?
Condensed matter is probably as impactful as quantum mechanics, but has less coverage in popular media than other branches like particle physics. Condensed matter experiments have led to many Nobel ...
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Why is the thermoelectric figure of merit denoted by $ZT$?
Why is the thermoelectric figure of merit denoted by $Z T$? Does $Z T$ come from the abbreviation of words in some language?
Update: So far, $T$ has been figured out — it is the temperature, to make ...
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Did the concept of the Dirac Sea influence the development of semiconductors like the transistor?
Dirac (1928),
(http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/royprsa/126/801/360.full.pdf)
explained the negative-energy solutions of his equations as holes in a sea of electrons.
The concept seems ...
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What was the historical importance of the discovery of high-$T_c$ superconductors?
I remember very well from my (only) class in solid state physics how enthusiastically the professor recounted the discovery of high-$T_c$ superconductors. In one particularly vivid anecdote, he ...
Danu♦
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