Advances in Condensed Matter & Materials Research : Volume 4

Condensed matter physics (solid state physics) deals with the study of matter in scales larger than atoms. Some of the key questions researched include: Can we understand emergent properties of matter such as the existence of metallic and insulating states, superconductivity, and magnetic long-range order? How do the relatively simple laws which govern microscopic physics organize themselves at the macroscopic level into a wide variety of complex behaviour, seen for instances in the many phases of liquid crystals? What is the nature of the phase transitions between these different states of matter? Is there universal behaviour at large length and time scales which is insensitive to the details of the microscopic interaction? And how does disorder in the form of impurities, crystal defects, and surface adsorbates alter these phases? This series presents a collection of papers exploring the most current and cutting edge research into the condensed matter field. For anyone hoping to stay abreast of some of the most dynamic developments in physics and science, the information presented here is essential.