This undergraduate textbook provides an introduction to the fundamentals of solid state physics, including a description of the key people in the field and the historic context. The book concentrates on the electric and magnetic properties of materials. It is written for students up to the bachelor level in the fields of physics, materials science, and electric engineering. Because of its vivid explanations and its didactic approach, it can also serve as a motivating pre-stage and supporting companion in the study of the established and more detailed textbooks of solid state physics. The textbook is suitable for a quick repetition prior to examinations. This second edition is extended considerably by detailed mathematical treatments in many chapters, as well as extensive coverage of magnetic impurities.

This book, featuring the most comprehensive treatment of Josephson junctions ever published, describes superconductor/two-dimensional-electron-gas (2DEG) structures, providing a better understanding of their transport properties. It also discusses the control of junctions using gate electrodes or injection currents, and the physical effects observed in these junctions.

The aim of this book is a discussion, at the introductory level, of some applications of solid state physics. The book evolved from notes written for a course offered three times in the Department of Physics of the University of California at Berkeley. The objects of the course were (a) to broaden the knowledge of graduate students in physics, especially those in solid state physics; (b) to provide a useful course covering the physics of a variety of solid state devices for students in several areas of physics; (c) to indicate some areas of research in applied solid state physics. To achieve these ends, this book is designed to be a survey of the physics of a number of solid state devices. As the italics indicate, the key words in this description are physics and survey. Physics is a key word because the book stresses the basic qualitative physics of the applications, in enough depth to explain the essentials of how a device works but not deeply enough to allow the reader to design one. The question emphasized is how the solid state physics of the application results in the basic useful property of the device. An example is how the physics of the tunnel diode results in a negative dynamic resistance. Specific circuit applications of devices are mentioned, but not emphasized, since expositions are available in the elec trical engineering textbooks given as references.

"Semiconductors and Superconductors: From Invention to Innovation" is a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental technologies that power modern electronics, energy systems, and computing. Written by Ron Legarski, a leading expert in telecommunications and technology solutions, this book delves into the discovery, evolution, and future applications of semiconductors and superconductors—two cornerstones of modern science and engineering. The book is designed for a wide audience, from professionals in the tech industry and academic researchers to students and general readers interested in understanding the science and technology that drive today’s digital world. Semiconductors are the building blocks of every microchip, transistor, and integrated circuit—essential components in everything from smartphones to solar cells. Superconductors, on the other hand, have the potential to revolutionize fields like energy transmission, quantum computing, and medical imaging by enabling technologies that operate with zero electrical resistance. This book covers the key milestones in the development of semiconductors and superconductors, starting with the invention of the transistor and the discovery of superconductivity. It also dives into the applications of these technologies in industries such as telecommunications, computing, energy systems, and medical technology, demonstrating their far-reaching impact on society. Key topics include: The physics of semiconductors and superconductors, explained in accessible language. The history and evolution of transistors, integrated circuits, and quantum devices. How superconducting materials are used in applications ranging from MRI machines to high-speed trains. The role of semiconductors in smartphones, AI systems, and energy-efficient power grids. Future research directions, including the pursuit of room-temperature superconductors and wide-bandgap semiconductors like SiC and GaN. The convergence of AI, machine learning, and nanotechnology in designing next-generation semiconductor and superconductor devices. The book also provides a forward-looking perspective on how these technologies will shape the future, particularly in fields like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy systems. With chapters organized for easy navigation, technical glossaries, and suggested reading for further exploration, "Semiconductors and Superconductors: From Invention to Innovation" is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the technological forces that are driving the world forward.

This graduate-level textbook is the first pedagogical synthesis of the field of topological insulators and superconductors, one of the most exciting areas of research in condensed matter physics. Presenting the latest developments, while providing all the calculations necessary for a self-contained and complete description of the discipline, it is ideal for graduate students and researchers preparing to work in this area, and it will be an essential reference both within and outside the classroom. The book begins with simple concepts such as Berry phases, Dirac fermions, Hall conductance and its link to topology, and the Hofstadter problem of lattice electrons in a magnetic field. It moves on to explain topological phases of matter such as Chern insulators, two- and three-dimensional topological insulators, and Majorana p-wave wires. Additionally, the book covers zero modes on vortices in topological superconductors, time-reversal topological superconductors, and topological responses/field theory and topological indices. The book also analyzes recent topics in condensed matter theory and concludes by surveying active subfields of research such as insulators with point-group symmetries and the stability of topological semimetals. Problems at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to test knowledge and engage with frontier research issues. Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors will provide graduate students and researchers with the physical understanding and mathematical tools needed to embark on research in this rapidly evolving field.

Since the discovery of superconductivity in 1911 by H. Kamerlingh Onnes, of the order of half a billion dollars has been spent on research directed toward understanding and utiliz ing this phenomenon. This investment has gained us fundamental understanding in the form of a microscopic theory of superconduc tivity. Moreover, superconductivity has been transformed from a laboratory curiosity to the basis of some of the most sensitive and accurate measuring devices known, a whole host of other elec tronic devices, a soon-to-be new international standard for the volt, a prototype generation of superconducting motors and gener ators, and magnets producing the highest continuous magnetic fields yet produced by man. The promise of more efficient means of power transmission and mass transportation, a new generation of superconducting motors and generators, and computers and other electronic devices with superconducting circuit elements is all too clear. The realization of controlled thermonuclear fusion is perhaps totally dependent upon the creation of enormous magnetic fields over large volumes by some future generation of supercon ducting magnets. Nevertheless, whether or not the technological promise of superconductivity comes to full flower depends as much, and perhaps more, upon economic and political factors as it does upon new technological and scientific breakthroughs. The basic science of superconductivity and its technological implications were the subject of a short course on "The Science and Technology of Superconductivity" held at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. , during 13-26 August 1971.

This book presents a complete encyclopedia of superconducting fluctuations, summarising the last thirty-five years of work in the field. The first part of the book is devoted to an extended discussion of the Ginzburg-Landau phenomenology of fluctuations in its thermodynamical and time-dependent versions and its various applications. The second part deals with microscopic justification of the Ginzburg-Landau approach and presents the diagrammatic theory of fluctuations. The third part is devoted to a less-detailed review of the manifestation of fluctuations in observables: diamagnetism, magnetoconductivity, various tunneling characteristics, thermoelectricity, and NMR relaxation. The final chapters turn to the manifestation of fluctuations in unconventional superconducting systems: nanodrops, nanorings, Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless state, quantum phase transition between superconductor and insulator, and thermal and quantum fluctuations in weak superconducting systems. The book ends with a brief discussion on theories of high temperature superconductivity, where fluctuations appear as the possible protagonist of this exciting phenomenon.

Superconductivity, 2E is an encyclopedic treatment of all aspects of the subject, from classic materials to fullerenes. Emphasis is on balanced coverage, with a comprehensive reference list and significant graphicsfrom all areas of the published literature. Widely used theoretical approaches are explained in detail. Topics of special interest include high temperature superconductors, spectroscopy, critical states, transport properties, and tunneling.This book covers the whole field of superconductivity from both the theoretical and the experimental point of view. - Comprehensive coverage of the field of superconductivity - Very up-to date on magnetic properties, fluxons, anisotropies, etc. - Over 2500 references to the literature - Long lists of data on the various types of superconductors

Organic Superconductors is an introduction to organic conductors and superconductors and a review of the current status of the field. First, organic conductors are described, then the structures and electronic properties of organic superconductors are discussed, illustrated with examples of typical compounds. The book deals in detail with theories of the mechanism of superconductivity, and more briefly with spin-density waves. The design, principle, and synthesis of organic superconductors are also described. This second edition covers the research activities of the last few years.

During the past thirty years considerable efforts have been made to design the synthesis and the study of molecular semiconductors. Molecular semiconductors - and more generally molecular materials - involve interactions between individual subunits which can be separately synthesized. Organic and metallo-organic derivatives are the basis of most of the molecular materials. A survey of the literature on molecular semiconductors leaves one rather confused. It does seem to be very difficult to correlate the molecular structure of these semiconductors with their experimental electrical properties. For inorganic materials a simple definition delimits a fairly homogeneous family. If an inorganic material has a conductivity intermediate between that of an 12 1 1 3 1 1 insulator « 10- n- cm- ) and that of a metal (> 10 n- cm- ), then it is a semiconductor and will exhibit the characteristic properties of this family, such as junction formation, photoconductivity, and the photovoltaic effect. For molecular compounds, such simplicity is certainly not the case. A huge number of molecular and macromolecular systems have been described which possess an intermediate conductivity. However, the various attempts which have been made to rationalize their properties have, more often than not, failed. Even very basic electrical properties such as the mechanism of the charge carrier formation or the nature and the density ofthe dopants are not known in detail. The study of molecular semiconductor junctions is very probably the most powerful approach to shed light on these problems.