Browse 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.

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.

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.