Solid-state physics studies how macroscopic properties of solids (mechanical, electrical, optical, etc.) result from their microscopic structure. It usually deals with the scale where quantum properties of the particles are substantial.
Questions tagged [solid-state-physics]
3660 questions
183
votes
3 answers
How does a knife cut things at the atomic level?
As the title says. It is common sense that sharp things cut, but how do they work at the atomical level?
wtoh
- 2,087
- 2
- 14
- 9
79
votes
4 answers
How exactly is a normal force exerted, at the molecular level?
I've been surfing the web for quite a while, finding the answers I would need, but couldn't find a convincing one. First of all I need to remind you that this a very long/continuous question, so please kindly take your time. I'll provide some…
user226894
63
votes
2 answers
What is a $p_x + i p_y$ superconductor? Relation to topological superconductors
I often read about s-wave and p-wave superconductors. In particular a $p_x + i p_y$
superconductor - often mentioned in combination with topological superconductors.
I understand that the overall Cooper pair wavefunction may have orbital angular…
Mike
- 731
53
votes
8 answers
Books for Condensed Matter after Ashcroft/Mermin
What are some good condensed matter physics books that can fill the gap between Ashcroft & Mermin and research papers? Suggestions for any specialized topics (such as superconductivity, CFT, topological insulators) are welcomed.
leongz
- 4,174
39
votes
3 answers
Why does glass, in spite of being amorphous, often break along very smooth surfaces?
When a crystalline material breaks, it often does so along planes in its crystalline structure. As such this is a result of its microscopic structure.
When glass breaks however, the shapes along which it breaks are typically very smooth as well,…
doetoe
- 9,484
32
votes
7 answers
Why can you hammer a hole into an underwater ceramic cup?
Hammering a nail into a ceramic cup causes it to shatter when dry but not when submerged in water. Is there an intuitive explanation for this? And does it have anything to do with the Rehbinder effect?
Image taken from this video. A ton of similar…
AlphaLife
- 13,439
32
votes
5 answers
Chemical potential
This is something probably very basic but I was led back to this issue while listening to a recent seminar by Allan Adams on holographic superconductors. He seemed very worried to have a theory at hand where the chemical potential is negative.…
Student
- 4,611
32
votes
3 answers
If we repeatedly divide a colorful solid in half, at what point will the color disappear?
Suppose I have some colorful solid, which I cut into two halves (both are identical). Take the first and cut it into two parts, and then repeat this again and again. I know that a single atom doesn't have a color. So there will be a point at which…
Himanshu
- 12,211
31
votes
5 answers
Is crystal momentum really momentum?
Almost every solid state physics textbook says crystal momentum is not really physical momentum. For example, phonons always carry crystal momentum but they do not cause a translation of the sample at all.
However, I learned that in…
skywaddler
- 1,515
31
votes
4 answers
Reciprocal Lattices
Is there an easy way to understand and/or visualize the reciprocal lattice of a two or three dimensional solid-state lattice? What is the significance of the reciprocal lattice, and why do solid state physicists express things in terms of the…
30
votes
6 answers
Speed of electrons in a current-carrying metallic wire: does it even make sense?
Does it make sense to speak about the speed of electrons in a current-carrying wire (non perfect conductor)? If so, what is their speed?
Here are my thoughts:
On the Internet (Wikipedia, physicsforums, here on PSE, etc., and many other websites),…
30
votes
6 answers
When I stretch a rubber band, it breaks. When I hold the broken ends together, why doesn't it join again?
The question is simple. When we join the two broken surfaces, what is it that keeps the surfaces from connecting with each other, while earlier they were attached to each other? Also, would the two sides join again if I hold them together for an…
Prem
- 2,356
28
votes
4 answers
Why does Density Functional Theory (DFT) underestimate bandgaps?
Density Functional Theory (DFT) is formulated to obtain ground state properties of atoms, molecules and condensed matter. However, why is DFT not able to predict the exact band gaps of semiconductors and insulators?
Does it mean that the band gaps…
P.A.M
- 1,629
28
votes
3 answers
How can the Hall effect ever show positive charge carriers?
The Hall effect can be used to determine the sign of the charge carriers, as a positive particle drifting along the wire and a negative particle drifting the other direction get deflected the same (as $F = q \vec{v}\times\vec{B} = (-q)…
Kasper
- 2,060
27
votes
3 answers
For lattice, what are the Goldstone bosons for the broken rotation symmetries?
In $1$ dimension, we know that lattice breaks continuous translational symmetry into discrete translational symmetry, which generates $1$ Goldstone boson, i.e. $1$ longitudinal phonons.
In $d$ dimensions, if there are only $1$ type of atoms, then…
346699
- 6,211