Browse Physics

Robert F. Klie, Physics 2, 85 (2009) – Published October 12, 2009

Optics Nanophysics

A new approach to reduce spherical and chromatic aberration in electron microscopy allows for low-energy imaging of single-layer boron nitride, a novel 2D nanostructure that is analogous to graphene.

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.

Fernando Luis, Physics 2, 75 (2009) – Published September 14, 2009

Magnetism Nanophysics Spintronics

A microscopic study of magnetic nanoislands on a surface challenges the widely held view that all atoms in a relaxing nanoparticle flip their spins in unison.

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.

Georg Held, Physics 2, 64 (2009) – Published July 27, 2009

Nanophysics

The complete geometry of C₆₀ molecules adsorbed on a silver surface has been determined for the first time with low-energy electron diffraction.

Jan van Ruitenbeek, Physics 2, 42 (2009) – Published May 18, 2009

Nanophysics Graphene

With a high-energy electron beam, it is possible to carve out atomically thin strands of carbon. Whether these carbon structures are conducting remains an open question.

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.

Elbio Dagotto, Physics 2, 12 (2009) – Published February 9, 2009

Nanophysics

Researchers bring the prospect of new electronic devices based on oxide materials closer to reality by doping interfaces via polar discontinuities rather than chemical substitution.

Jirka Hlinka, Physics 2, 8 (2009) – Published January 26, 2009

Nanophysics

Scientists have found that the spontaneous ferroelectric polarization can be fully and reversibly flipped by varying partial oxygen pressure above the surface of an epitaxially compressed PbTiO₃ film. The inward polarized state is stabilized by ordered oxygen vacancies in the topmost atomic layer.

Jonathan Sun, Physics 1, 33 (2008) – Published November 3, 2008

Nanophysics Spintronics

If a magnet is small enough, an electric current carrying polarized spins can flip it around. Scientists are finding clever ways to control this spin-torque effect precisely, both for when it is wanted and when it is not.

Mathias Kläui, Physics 1, 17 (2008) – Published September 2, 2008

Magnetism Nanophysics

Most applications based on magnetism are incompatible with domain walls, which interrupt a homogeneous magnetization. Scientists are turning this view around as they discover new ways to use an electric current to manipulate and store information in nanoscale domain walls.

Latha Venkataraman, Physics 1, 5 (2008) – Published July 21, 2008

Nanophysics

A molecule that links two metal electrodes could function like a chemically tunable miniature electronic device, provided that electrons can move easily across the molecular junction. A group in Leiden has now made highly conducting molecular junctions with benzene.

Steve K. Lamoreaux, Physics 1, 4 (2008) – Published July 14, 2008

Quantum Mechanics Nanophysics

Modification of electromagnetic zero-point fluctuations by closely spaced conductors causes an interaction between them called the Casimir force. New experiments with nanostructured silicon substrates show that the geometry of the conducting surfaces has a large effect on this force.