Scottish Graduate Series – serie

High Temperature Superconductivity provides a broad survey of high temperature superconductivity, discussing the adaptations of experimental and theoretical techniques and methods that take advantage of the revolutionary properties of high temperature superconductors. Distinguished engineers, chemists, and experimental and theoretical physicists introduce their own particular area of the field before going on to explain current theories and techniques.The book is divided into three sections: materials, mechanisms, and devices. Topics covered include synthetic approaches to the growth of new materials; optical, magnetic, and electrical characterization of synthesized materials; strong correlations; the magnon pairing mechanism; and technical background of device performance in new materials. A coherent introduction to high temperature superconductivity, this volume will be invaluable to researchers in condensed matter physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering.

Quantitative Microbeam Analysis provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of quantitative microbeam analysis (MQA). MQA is a technique used to analyze subatomic quantities of materials blasted from a surface by a laser or particle beam, providing information on the structure and composition of the material. Contributed to by international experts, the book is unique in the breadth of microbeam analytical techniques covered. For each technique, it develops the theoretical background, discusses practical details relating to choice of equipment, and describes the current advances. The book highlights developments relating to Auger electron spectroscopy in scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes and advances in surface analytical imaging and accelerated ion beam-surface interactions.

General Relativity provides an unusually broad survey of the current state of this field. Chapters on mathematical relativity cover many topics, including initial value problems, a new approach to the partial differential equations of physics, and work on exact solutions. The chapters on relativistic cosmology and black holes explore cosmology. Other chapters deal with gravitational waves, experimental relativity, quantum gravity, and aspects of computing in relativity. The book will be useful both to postgraduates and to established workers in the field.

Recent years have witnessed rapid advances in the development of solid state, fiber, semiconductor, and parametric sources of coherent radiation, which are opening up new opportunities for laser applications. Laser Sources and Applications provides a tutorial introduction to the basic principles of these developments at a level suitable for postgraduate research students and others with a basic knowledge of lasers and nonlinear optics. Encompassing both the physics and engineering aspects of the field, the book covers the nature of nonlinear optical interactions; solid state, fiber, and semiconductor lasers; optical parametric oscillators; and ultrashort pulse generation and applications. It also explores applications of current interest, such as electromagnetically induced transparency, atomic trapping, and soliton optical communications.

The present level of experimental sophistication in quantum physics allows physicists to explore domains unimaginable just a decade ago and to test the most fundamental laws of quantum mechanics. This has led to renewed interest in devising new tests, experiments, and devices where it is possible to observe the interaction and localization of just a few atoms or photons. These techniques have been used to reveal new nonclassical effects, to question the limit of the principle of correspondence, and to force quantum behavior in semiconductors.With contributions from leading experts in quantum systems, Quantum Dynamics of Simple Systems provides an overview of the present range of quantum dynamics, exploring their use and exotic behaviors. It covers specific subjects of quantum dynamics in a competent and detailed way with emphasis on simple systems where few atoms or electrons are involved. This volume will prove to be a useful tool for graduate students as well as experienced physicists.

The development and application of low-dimensional semiconductors have been rapid and spectacular during the past decade. Ever improving epitaxial growth and device fabrication techniques have allowed access to some remarkable new physics in quantum confined structures while a plethora of new devices has emerged. The field of optoelectronics in particular has benefited from these advances both in terms of improved performance and the invention of fundamentally new types of device, at a time when the use of optics and lasers in telecommunications, broadcasting, the Internet, signal processing, and computing has been rapidly expanding. An appreciation of the physics of quantum and dynamic electronic processes in confined structures is key to the understanding of many of the latest devices and their continued development.Semiconductor Quantum Optoelectronics covers new physics and the latest device developments in low-dimensional semiconductors. It allows those who already have some familiarity with semiconductor physics and devices to broaden and expand their knowledge into new and expanding topics in low-dimensional semiconductors. The book provides pedagogical coverage of selected areas of new and pertinent physics of low-dimensional structures and presents some optoelectronic devices presently under development. Coverage includes material and band structure issues and the physics of ultrafast, nonlinear, coherent, intersubband, and intracavity phenomena. The book emphasizes various devices, including quantum wells, visible, quantum cascade, and mode-locked lasers; microcavity LEDs and VCSELs; and detectors and logic elements. An underlying theme is high-speed phenomena and devices for increased system bandwidths.

Muon science is rapidly assuming a central role in scientific and technological studies of the solid state within the disciplines of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Muon Science: Muons in Physics, Chemistry and Materials presents key developments in both theoretical and experimental aspects of muon spin relaxation, rotation, and resonance. Assuming no prior expertise in muon science, the book guides readers from introductory material to the latest developments in the field. The internationally renowned expert contributors cover topics in muon instrumentation and muon science applications that include muon production, beamlines and instrumentation, muonium chemistry, muon catalyzed fusion, fundamental muon physics, ultra-cold muons, magnetism, superconductivity, diffusion, semiconductors, simulations, and data analysis. The book maintains consistent notation and nomenclature throughout as well as cross-referencing and continuity between the contributions. It provides an excellent introduction to both new and experienced muon beam scientists and graduate students wishing to develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Covering colloids, polymers, surfactant phases, emulsions, and granular media, Soft and Fragile Matter: Nonequilibrium Dynamics, Metastability and Flow (PBK) provides self-contained and pedagogical coverage of the rapidly advancing field of systems driven out of equilibrium, with a strong emphasis on unifying conceptual principles rather than material-specific details.Written by internationally recognized experts, the book contains introductions at the level of a graduate course in soft condensed matter and statistical physics to the following areas: experimental techniques, polymers, rheology, colloids, computer simulation, surfactants, phase separation kinetics, driven systems, structural glasses, slow dynamics, and granular materials. These topics lead to a range of exciting applications at the forefront of current research, including microplasticity of emulsions, sequence design of copolymers, branched polymer dynamics, nucleation kinetics in colloids, multiscale modeling, flow-induced surfactant textures, fluid demixing under shear, two-time correlation functions, chaotic sedimentation dynamics, and sound propagation in powders.Balancing theory, simulation, and experiment, this broadly-based, pedagogical account of a rapidly developing field is an excellent compendium for graduate students and researchers in condensed matter physics, materials science, and physical chemistry.

The Restless Universe: Applications of Gravitational N-Body Dynamics to Planetary Stellar and Galactic Systems stimulates the cross-fertilization of ideas, methods, and applications among the different communities who work in the gravitational N-body problem arena, across diverse fields of astrophysics. The chapters and topics cover three broad themes: the dynamics of the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies and star clusters, and the large scale structure of the universe. The book is essential reading for scientists and graduate students studying N-body dynamics, from the fundamental techniques to the cutting edge of modern research in planetary, stellar, and galactic systems.

This book provides a thorough introduction to the phenomenology of heavy flavour physics, those working on the B-factories, LHCb, BTeV, HERA and the Tevatron. It explains how heavy quark theory could be implemented on the lattice, and discusses the status of CP-violation in the neutral kaon system.

Ultrafast photonics has become an interdisciplinary topic of high international research interest because of the spectacular development of compact and efficient lasers producing optical pulses with durations in the femtosecond time domain. Present day long-haul telecommunications systems are almost entirely based on the transmission of short bursts or pulses of laser light along silicon optical fibres, with Erbium-doped fibre amplifiers inserted to regenerate the signals periodically. The phenomenal success of optical fibre communications has created a substantial opto-electronics industry that provides efficient laser sources, high-speed modulators, optical amplifiers and detectors.Although optical data transmission is now well established, current systems approaches will eventually cease to meet the ever-increasing demands of data-communication. Existing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) schemes will need to be complemented with time-domain multiplexing (TDM) techniques involving digital optical signals using ultrashort laser pulses.This book brings together contributions from world experts at major collaborative research initiatives throughout Europe, the USA and Japan and considers all aspects of this very active area of research. Topics covered range from the fundamental physics of optical interactions and material properties through to new system concepts for ultrahigh-capacity data transfer and processing using femtosecond pulses. Areas of specific scientific breakthrough and subsequent technological advance have been emphasised.Each chapter of the book presents a tutorial style introduction to the topic, suitable for postgraduate students and others with a basic knowledge of photonics, and will be a valuable reference for existing researchers in the field.

Written by ten leading experts in the field, Optical Computing cover topics such as optical bistability, optical interconnects and circuits, photorefractive devices, spatial light modulators, associative memory, and optical computer architectures.

Laser-Plasma Interactions 4 is the fourth book in a series devoted to the study of laser-plasma interactions. Subjects covered include laser light propagation, instabilities, compression and hydrodynamics, spectroscopy, diagnostics, computer code, dense plasmas, high-power lasers, X-UV sources and lasers, beat waves, and transport processes.

The last decade has witnessed a breathtaking expansion of ideas concerning the origin and evolution of the universe. Researchers in cosmology thus need an unprecedented wide background in diverse areas of physics. Bridging the gap that has developed, Physics of the Early Universe explains the foundations of this subject. This postgraduate-/research-level volume covers cosmology, gauge theories, the standard model, cosmic strings, and supersymmetry.

High-pressure science has undergone a revolution in the last 15 years. The development of intense new x-ray and neutron sources, improved detectors, new instrumentation, greatly increased computation power, and advanced computational algorithms have enabled researchers to determine the behavior of matter at static pressures in excess of 400 GPa. Sh

A Solid Compendium of Advanced Diagnostic and Simulation ToolsExploring the most exciting and topical areas in this field, Laser-Plasma Interactions focuses on the interaction of intense laser radiation with plasma. After discussing the basic theory of the interaction of intense electromagnetic radiation fields with matter, the book covers three applications of intense fields in plasma: inertial fusion, wakefield accelerators, and advanced radiation sources. Collecting contributions from a host of international experts, the book provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental concepts of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, before moving on to selected advanced topics from the field. It describes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and experimental techniques used to study laser-plasma interactions as well as simulation tools for modeling these interactions.With a focus on current research trends, this book guides readers to the brink of the most stimulating challenges in the field. It also gives readers an appreciation of the underlying phenomena linking several applications.

High-pressure science has undergone a revolution in the last 15 years. The development of intense new x-ray and neutron sources, improved detectors, new instrumentation, greatly increased computation power, and advanced computational algorithms have enabled researchers to determine the behavior of matter at static pressures in excess of 400 GPa. Shock-wave techniques have allowed access to the experimental pressure-temperature range beyond 1 TPa and 10,000 K.High-Pressure Physics introduces the current state of the art in this field. Based on lectures presented by leading researchers at the 63rd Scottish Universities Summer School in Physics, the book summarizes the latest experimental and theoretical techniques. Highlighting applications in a range of physics disciplines—from novel materials synthesis to planetary interiors—this book cuts across many areas and supplies a solid grounding in high-pressure physics.Chapters cover a wide array of topics and techniques, including: High-pressure devicesThe design of pressure cellsElectrical transport experimentsThe fabrication process for customizing diamond anvils Equations of state (EOS) for solids in a range of pressures and temperaturesCrystallography, optical spectroscopy, and inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) techniquesMagnetism in solidsThe internal structure of Earth and other planetsMeasurement and control of temperature in high-pressure experimentsSolid state chemistry and materials research at high pressureLiquids and glassesThe study of hydrogen at high densityA resource for graduate students and young researchers, this accessible reference provides an overview of key research areas and applications in high-pressure physics.

The Restless Universe: Applications of Gravitational N-Body Dynamics to Planetary Stellar and Galactic Systems stimulates the cross-fertilization of ideas, methods, and applications among the different communities who work in the gravitational N-body problem arena, across diverse fields of astrophysics. The chapters and topics cover three broad themes: the dynamics of the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies and star clusters, and the large scale structure of the universe. The book is essential reading for scientists and graduate students studying N-body dynamics, from the fundamental techniques to the cutting edge of modern research in planetary, stellar, and galactic systems.

This book provides a thorough introduction to the phenomenology of heavy flavour physics, those working on the B-factories, LHCb, BTeV, HERA and the Tevatron. It explains how heavy quark theory could be implemented on the lattice, and discusses the status of CP-violation in the neutral kaon system.

Covering colloids, polymers, surfactant phases, emulsions, and granular media, Soft and Fragile Matter: Nonequilibrium Dynamics, Metastability and Flow (PBK) provides self-contained and pedagogical coverage of the rapidly advancing field of systems driven out of equilibrium, with a strong emphasis on unifying conceptual principles rather than material-specific details.Written by internationally recognized experts, the book contains introductions at the level of a graduate course in soft condensed matter and statistical physics to the following areas: experimental techniques, polymers, rheology, colloids, computer simulation, surfactants, phase separation kinetics, driven systems, structural glasses, slow dynamics, and granular materials. These topics lead to a range of exciting applications at the forefront of current research, including microplasticity of emulsions, sequence design of copolymers, branched polymer dynamics, nucleation kinetics in colloids, multiscale modeling, flow-induced surfactant textures, fluid demixing under shear, two-time correlation functions, chaotic sedimentation dynamics, and sound propagation in powders.Balancing theory, simulation, and experiment, this broadly-based, pedagogical account of a rapidly developing field is an excellent compendium for graduate students and researchers in condensed matter physics, materials science, and physical chemistry.

The development and application of low-dimensional semiconductors have been rapid and spectacular during the past decade. Ever improving epitaxial growth and device fabrication techniques have allowed access to some remarkable new physics in quantum confined structures while a plethora of new devices has emerged. The field of optoelectronics in particular has benefited from these advances both in terms of improved performance and the invention of fundamentally new types of device, at a time when the use of optics and lasers in telecommunications, broadcasting, the Internet, signal processing, and computing has been rapidly expanding. An appreciation of the physics of quantum and dynamic electronic processes in confined structures is key to the understanding of many of the latest devices and their continued development.Semiconductor Quantum Optoelectronics covers new physics and the latest device developments in low-dimensional semiconductors. It allows those who already have some familiarity with semiconductor physics and devices to broaden and expand their knowledge into new and expanding topics in low-dimensional semiconductors. The book provides pedagogical coverage of selected areas of new and pertinent physics of low-dimensional structures and presents some optoelectronic devices presently under development. Coverage includes material and band structure issues and the physics of ultrafast, nonlinear, coherent, intersubband, and intracavity phenomena. The book emphasizes various devices, including quantum wells, visible, quantum cascade, and mode-locked lasers; microcavity LEDs and VCSELs; and detectors and logic elements. An underlying theme is high-speed phenomena and devices for increased system bandwidths.

Recent years have witnessed rapid advances in the development of solid state, fiber, semiconductor, and parametric sources of coherent radiation, which are opening up new opportunities for laser applications. Laser Sources and Applications provides a tutorial introduction to the basic principles of these developments at a level suitable for postgraduate research students and others with a basic knowledge of lasers and nonlinear optics. Encompassing both the physics and engineering aspects of the field, the book covers the nature of nonlinear optical interactions; solid state, fiber, and semiconductor lasers; optical parametric oscillators; and ultrashort pulse generation and applications. It also explores applications of current interest, such as electromagnetically induced transparency, atomic trapping, and soliton optical communications.

The present level of experimental sophistication in quantum physics allows physicists to explore domains unimaginable just a decade ago and to test the most fundamental laws of quantum mechanics. This has led to renewed interest in devising new tests, experiments, and devices where it is possible to observe the interaction and localization of just a few atoms or photons. These techniques have been used to reveal new nonclassical effects, to question the limit of the principle of correspondence, and to force quantum behavior in semiconductors.With contributions from leading experts in quantum systems, Quantum Dynamics of Simple Systems provides an overview of the present range of quantum dynamics, exploring their use and exotic behaviors. It covers specific subjects of quantum dynamics in a competent and detailed way with emphasis on simple systems where few atoms or electrons are involved. This volume will prove to be a useful tool for graduate students as well as experienced physicists.

High-pressure science has undergone a revolution in the last 15 years. The development of intense new x-ray and neutron sources, improved detectors, new instrumentation, greatly increased computation power, and advanced computational algorithms have enabled researchers to determine the behavior of matter at static pressures in excess of 400 GPa. Shock-wave techniques have allowed access to the experimental pressure-temperature range beyond 1 TPa and 10,000 K.High-Pressure Physics introduces the current state of the art in this field. Based on lectures presented by leading researchers at the 63rd Scottish Universities Summer School in Physics, the book summarizes the latest experimental and theoretical techniques. Highlighting applications in a range of physics disciplines—from novel materials synthesis to planetary interiors—this book cuts across many areas and supplies a solid grounding in high-pressure physics.Chapters cover a wide array of topics and techniques, including: High-pressure devicesThe design of pressure cellsElectrical transport experimentsThe fabrication process for customizing diamond anvils Equations of state (EOS) for solids in a range of pressures and temperaturesCrystallography, optical spectroscopy, and inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) techniquesMagnetism in solidsThe internal structure of Earth and other planetsMeasurement and control of temperature in high-pressure experimentsSolid state chemistry and materials research at high pressureLiquids and glassesThe study of hydrogen at high densityA resource for graduate students and young researchers, this accessible reference provides an overview of key research areas and applications in high-pressure physics.

A Solid Compendium of Advanced Diagnostic and Simulation ToolsExploring the most exciting and topical areas in this field, Laser-Plasma Interactions focuses on the interaction of intense laser radiation with plasma. After discussing the basic theory of the interaction of intense electromagnetic radiation fields with matter, the book covers three applications of intense fields in plasma: inertial fusion, wakefield accelerators, and advanced radiation sources. Collecting contributions from a host of international experts, the book provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental concepts of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, before moving on to selected advanced topics from the field. It describes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and experimental techniques used to study laser-plasma interactions as well as simulation tools for modeling these interactions.With a focus on current research trends, this book guides readers to the brink of the most stimulating challenges in the field. It also gives readers an appreciation of the underlying phenomena linking several applications.

The field of ultrafast nonlinear optics is broad and multidisciplinary, and encompasses areas concerned with both the generation and measurement of ultrashort pulses of light, as well as those concerned with the applications of such pulses. Ultrashort pulses are extreme events – both in terms of their durations, and also the high peak powers which their short durations can facilitate. These extreme properties make them powerful experiment tools. On one hand, their ultrashort durations facilitate the probing and manipulation of matter on incredibly short timescales. On the other, their ultrashort durations can facilitate high peak powers which can drive highly nonlinear light-matter interaction processes.Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics covers a complete range of topics, both applied and fundamental in nature, within the area of ultrafast nonlinear optics. Chapters 1 to 4 are concerned with the generation and measurement of ultrashort pulses. Chapters 5 to 7 are concerned with fundamental applications of ultrashort pulses in metrology and quantum control. Chapters 8 and 9 are concerned with ultrafast nonlinear optics in optical fibres. Chapters 10 to 13 are concerned with the applications of ultrashort pulses in areas such as particle acceleration, microscopy, and micromachining.The chapters are aimed at graduate-student level and are intended to provide the student with an accessible, self-contained and comprehensive gateway into each subject.

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications covers the fundamental and applied aspects of high power laser-plasma physics. With an internationally renowned team of authors, the book broadens the knowledge of young researchers working in high power laser-plasma science by providing them with a thorough pedagogical grounding in the interaction of laser radiation with matter, laser-plasma accelerators, and inertial confinement fusion. The text is organised such that the theoretical foundations of the subject are discussed first, in Part I. In Part II, topics in the area of high energy density physics are covered. Parts III and IV deal with the applications to inertial confinement fusion and as a driver of particle and radiation sources, respectively. Finally, Part V describes the principle diagnostic, targetry, and computational approaches used in the field. This book is designed to give students a thorough foundation in the fundamental physics of laser-plasma interactions. It will also provide readers with knowledge of the latest research trends and elucidate future exciting challenges in laser-plasma science.

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications covers the fundamental and applied aspects of high power laser-plasma physics. With an internationally renowned team of authors, the book broadens the knowledge of young researchers working in high power laser-plasma science by providing them with a thorough pedagogical grounding in the interaction of laser radiation with matter, laser-plasma accelerators, and inertial confinement fusion. The text is organised such that the theoretical foundations of the subject are discussed first, in Part I. In Part II, topics in the area of high energy density physics are covered. Parts III and IV deal with the applications to inertial confinement fusion and as a driver of particle and radiation sources, respectively. Finally, Part V describes the principle diagnostic, targetry, and computational approaches used in the field. This book is designed to give students a thorough foundation in the fundamental physics of laser-plasma interactions. It will also provide readers with knowledge of the latest research trends and elucidate future exciting challenges in laser-plasma science.

The field of ultrafast nonlinear optics is broad and multidisciplinary, and encompasses areas concerned with both the generation and measurement of ultrashort pulses of light, as well as those concerned with the applications of such pulses. Ultrashort pulses are extreme events – both in terms of their durations, and also the high peak powers which their short durations can facilitate. These extreme properties make them powerful experiment tools. On one hand, their ultrashort durations facilitate the probing and manipulation of matter on incredibly short timescales. On the other, their ultrashort durations can facilitate high peak powers which can drive highly nonlinear light-matter interaction processes.Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics covers a complete range of topics, both applied and fundamental in nature, within the area of ultrafast nonlinear optics. Chapters 1 to 4 are concerned with the generation and measurement of ultrashort pulses. Chapters 5 to 7 are concerned with fundamental applications of ultrashort pulses in metrology and quantum control. Chapters 8 and 9 are concerned with ultrafast nonlinear optics in optical fibres. Chapters 10 to 13 are concerned with the applications of ultrashort pulses in areas such as particle acceleration, microscopy, and micromachining.The chapters are aimed at graduate-student level and are intended to provide the student with an accessible, self-contained and comprehensive gateway into each subject.