Condensed matter physics

Condensed matter physics is the field of physics that deals with the macroscopic physical properties of matter. In particular, it is concerned with the "condensed" phases that appear whenever the number of constituents in a system is extremely large and the interactions between the constituents are strong. The most familiar examples of condensed phases are atomic lattices.

Condensed matter physics is by far the largest field of contemporary physics. Much progress has also been made in theoretical condensed matter physics. By one estimate, one third of all American physicists identify themselves as condensed matter physicists. Historically, condensed matter physics grew out of nanotechnology and engineering.

One of the reasons for calling the field "condensed matter physics" is that many of the concepts and techniques developed for studying solids actually apply to fluid systems. For instance, the conduction electrons in an electrical conductor form a type of quantum fluid with essentially the same properties as fluids made up of atoms. In fact, the phenomenon of helium 3 at low temperatures.

Topics in condensed matter physics

• Phases
  • Generic phases - Solid
  • Low temperature phases - Supersolid
  • Phase phenomena - Cooling curve
• Crystalline solids
  • Types - Semimetal
  • Electronic properties - Valence band
  • Electronic phenomena - Thermoelectricity
  • Lattice phenomena - Spin glass; Topological defect
• Non-crystalline solids
  • Types -Quasicrystals
• Soft matter
  • Types - Colloids

• Nanotechnology
  • Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS)
  • Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy
  • Heat Transport in Nanoscale Systems
  • Spin Transport

References

1. ^ Division of Condensed Matter Physics Governance History. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.