Electrons in Action Roads to Modern Computers and Electronics

How do superconductors function? What's unique about semiconductors? A look at developments over the past 50 years of solid state physics and material science, written comprehensibly even for non–scientists. The author presents pioneering works by researchers in the fields of chemistry, physics and material science, drawing on authentic quotations and extracts from partly unpublished records to create an entertaining, descriptive and exciting expedition through the world of solid state physics.

Preamble. Preface. 1 Spectacular Advances. 2 Well–ordered Lattice Structures in Crystals. 3 Permanent Movement in the Crystal Lattice. 4 Electrical Conductor or Insulator? 5 Metals Obey the Rules of Quantum Statistics. 6 Less Can Be More: Semiconductors. 7 Circling Electrons in High Magnetic Fields. 8 The Winner: Superconductors. 9 The Big Surprise: High–temperature Superconductivity. 10 Magnetism: Order Among the Elementary Magnets. 11 Nanostructures: Superlattices, Quantum Wires, and Quantum Dots. 12 Defects in the Crystal Lattice: Useful or Harmful? Appendix. Nobel Prizes in Physics Closely Connected with the Physics of Solids. Nobel Prizes in Chemistry Closely Connected with the Physics of Solids. Mathematical Symbols. Name Index. Subject Index.

Prof. em. Rudolf Huebener earned his PhD in physics from the University of Marburg. After holding research positions at Karlsruhe and New York he worked 12 years at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, USA. In 1974 he accepted a professorship at the University of Tübingen. For his scientific achievements Rudolf Huebener was awarded the Max Planck Research Prize in 1992.