Browse Physics

John R. Kirtley, Francesco Tafuri, Physics 2, 92 (2009) – Published November 2, 2009

Mesoscopics Cosmology

Defects—in the form of vortices in superconductors or “strings” in the fabric of the universe—can reveal the state of a system at the time it was cooled.

J. O. Sofo, R. D. Diehl, Physics 2, 84 (2009) – Published October 12, 2009

Mesoscopics Graphene

Photoelectron spectroscopy reveals how carbon atoms aggregate to form domelike graphene structures on iridium surfaces.

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.

Thomas Vojta, Physics 2, 66 (2009) – Published August 3, 2009

Mesoscopics Nanophysics Statistical Mechanics

Quantum states in disordered solids are characterized by wild spatial fluctuations. As a result, the behavior of a single typical wave function differs markedly from the ensemble average.

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.

Antonio H. Castro Neto, Physics 2, 30 (2009) – Published April 20, 2009

Mesoscopics Graphene

Graphene, believed to be a semimetal so far, might actually be an insulator when suspended freely.

Yoseph Imry, Physics 2, 24 (2009) – Published March 30, 2009

Mesoscopics

The surprising prediction that currents can flow forever in small normal metal rings was confirmed almost twenty years ago. Highly precise new experiments find good agreement with theory that was not seen till now.

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.

Gary A. Williams, Physics 2, 14 (2009) – Published February 17, 2009

Superfluidity Mesoscopics

Imaging and tracking of bubbles in liquid helium formed by individual electrons allows study of superfluid vortices, and may permit analysis of unusual ionic species in fluids.

François Peeters, Physics 2, 4 (2009) – Published January 12, 2009

Mesoscopics

Crystalline structures have been observed in nanoislands of electrons floating above superfluid helium. The energy required to add or subtract an electron from these quantum-dot-like islands agrees well with theory.

Vincent Crespi, Physics 1, 15 (2008) – Published August 25, 2008

Mesoscopics Graphene

Graphene has been idealized as a two-dimensional electron system in which the electrons behave like massless fermions, but how “perfect” is it? Scientists now show they can prepare free-standing sheets of graphene that have some of the highest electron mobilities of any inorganic semiconductor.

Hélène Bouchiat, Physics 1, 7 (2008) – Published July 28, 2008

Mesoscopics

A decade ago, experimentalists showed that persistent currents can flow in nonsuperconducting mesoscopic metal rings, but there was no theory that correctly explained the magnitude or direction of the unexpectedly large currents. Theorists are now proposing a simple idea that may at last explain these results.