Semiconductor Physics

Joel E. Moore, Physics 2, 82 (2009) – Published October 5, 2009

Quantum Information Semiconductor Physics Mesoscopics Nanophysics

A theoretical analysis of recent experiments suggests that a key feature of a topological quantum computer—the unusual statistics of quasiparticles in the quantum Hall effect—may finally have been observed.

Karen L. Kavanagh, Physics 2, 63 (2009) – Published July 27, 2009

Semiconductor Physics

A new generation of electron microscopes that correct for spherical aberration may be able to chart the positions of individual atoms as they diffuse through a crystal.

Matthew Grayson, Physics 2, 56 (2009) – Published June 29, 2009

Semiconductor Physics Mesoscopics

By exploiting the concept of particle-hole duality, one can realize a point junction between integer and fractional quantum Hall phases, which constitutes a crucial building block towards possible applications of the quantum Hall effect.

Fiona J. Burnell, Shivaji L. Sondhi, Physics 2, 49 (2009) – Published June 15, 2009

Magnetism Semiconductor Physics Mesoscopics

The fractional quantum Hall effect, thought to be special to two dimensions, may also flourish in three, providing a possible explanation for anomalies observed in certain 3D materials in high magnetic fields.

Jason R. Petta, Physics 2, 27 (2009) – Published April 6, 2009

Magnetism Semiconductor Physics

A quantum dot refrigerator that cools an electron gas close to 100 mK may allow experimentalists to better probe electron-electron interactions in quantum confined systems.

Published April 6, 2009

Mesoscopics Semiconductor Physics

Random disorder in topological insulators leads to an insulating phase reminiscent of one known for years in two-dimensional systems.

Published March 9, 2009

Mesoscopics Semiconductor Physics

The finding of one-dimensional, topologically protected conducting states on the surface of bismuth suggests the possibility of a quantum spin Hall effect in one dimension.

H. A. Fertig, Physics 2, 15 (2009) – Published February 23, 2009

Semiconductor Physics Mesoscopics Nanophysics

Measurements of the heat transport at the edges of two-dimensional electron systems appear to provide explanations about the quantum Hall state that have not been forthcoming via charge transport experiments.

Marcel Franz, Physics 1, 36 (2008) – Published November 24, 2008

Semiconductor Physics

The esoteric concept of “axions” was born thirty years ago to describe the strong interaction between quarks. It appears that the same physics—though in a much different context—applies to an unusual class of insulators.

Published November 17, 2008

Semiconductor Physics

The transport anomalies found in a bismuth alloy under moderate magnetic field might be the signature of unexpected many-body physics.

Published September 8, 2008

Mesoscopics Semiconductor Physics

A new study is looking at how disorder affects the conducting states in a topological insulator—revealing one of many ways these unusual materials are different from conventional insulators.

Published September 5, 2008

Graphene Semiconductor Physics

Metallic contacts, which are unavoidable in any connection to an experimental measurement, cause asymmetries in the conductance of electrons and holes in graphene.

Shou-cheng Zhang, Physics 1, 6 (2008) – Published July 23, 2008

Quantum Mechanics Semiconductor Physics

Electrons in graphene can be described by the relativistic Dirac equation for massless fermions and exhibit a host of unusual properties. The surfaces of certain band insulators—called topological insulators—can be described in a similar way, leading to an exotic metallic surface on an otherwise “ordinary” insulator.