Condensed matter physics

Condensed matter physics is the field of physics that deals with the macroscopic physical properties of matter. In particular, it is concerned with the "condensed" phases that appear whenever the number of constituents in a system is extremely large and the interactions between the constituents are strong. The most familiar examples of condensed phases are solids and liquids, which arise from the electric force between atoms. More exotic condensed phases include the superfluid and the Bose-Einstein condensate found in certain atomic systems at very low temperatures, the superconducting phase exhibited by conduction electrons in certain materials, and the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases of spins on atomic lattices.

Related Topics:
Physics - Matter - Phases - Solid - Liquid - Electric force - Atom - Superfluid - Bose-Einstein condensate - Temperature - Superconducting - Conduction electron - Ferromagnet - Antiferromagnet - Spin - Atomic lattices

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Condensed matter physics is by far the largest field of contemporary physics. By one estimate, one third of all American physicists identify themselves as condensed matter physicists. Historically, condensed matter physics grew out of solid-state physics, which is now considered one of its main subfields. The term "condensed matter physics" was apparently coined by Philip Anderson when he renamed his research group - previously "solid-state theory" - in 1967. In 1978, the Division of Solid State Physics at the American Physical Society was renamed as the Division of Condensed Matter Physics.

Related Topics:
Physicist - Solid-state physics - Philip Anderson - 1967 - 1978 - American Physical Society

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One of the reasons for calling the field "condensed matter physics" is that many of the concepts and techniques developed for studying solids actually apply to fluid systems. For instance, the conduction electrons in an electrical conductor form a type of quantum fluid with essentially the same properties as fluids made up of atoms. In fact, the phenomenon of superconductivity, in which the electrons condense into a new fluid phase in which they can flow without dissipation, is very closely analogous to the superfluid phase found in helium 3 at low temperatures.

Related Topics:
Electrical conductor - Superconductivity - Helium 3

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Condensed matter physics is also closely related to the field of materials science. In this context, condensed matter physicists research "Nanotechnology", i.e. the ability to mass produce atomic-scale machines, which was first publicly envisioned by Richard Feynman.

Related Topics:
Materials science - "Nanotechnology" - Richard Feynman

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