Category archives: Condensed matter

A 2D phase transition controlled by an electric field

A 2D phase transition controlled by an electric field

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsPhysics

By DIPC

A phase may be defined as a homogeneous portion of a system that has uniform physical and chemical characteristics. Every pure material is considered to be a phase; so also is every solid, liquid, and gaseous solution. For example, a sugar–water syrup solution is one phase, and solid sugar is another. Each has different physical […]

The importance of the dynamical electron-nuclear correlation terms

The importance of the dynamical electron-nuclear correlation terms

ChemistryCondensed matterPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Ionization is a fundamental process in chemistry and physics, lying at the heart of many fascinating phenomena. Ionization is the process of producing ions. Certain molecules ionize in solution, for example. But ions may also be formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons as a result of energy gained in a […]

Introducing impurities

Introducing impurities

Condensed matterMaterialsPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

The most extensive use of semiconductors, such as silicon or germanium, including their use as transistors, arises from their behavior when, after being sufficiently purified of atoms other than the basic element (e.g., silicon or germanium), very small amounts of special impurities are carefully introduced. While the methods for first purifying then adding small amounts […]

A working molecular electronic switch

A working molecular electronic switch

ChemistryComputer scienceCondensed matterMaterialsPhysics

By DIPC

A visionary perspective of molecular electronics is the use of single molecules as functional entities in electronic devices. In this context, some of the most important components are molecular switches, which are molecules that can be interconverted reversibly between at least two stable states, one for the OFF and one for the ON. In order […]

Semiconductors

Semiconductors

Condensed matterMaterialsPhysics

By DIPC

The most prevalent use today of semiconductors is forming them into transistors, the basic electronic building blocks of all “solid-state electronics” and computer microchips. Semiconductors are the most important materials in the burgeoning revolution in computers and other electronic devices today. Such applications also arose, beginning in the 1930s, from the quantum mechanics of the […]

Impurities and spin Hall effects in graphene

Impurities and spin Hall effects in graphene

Condensed matterMaterialsPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

The interactions between moving charges and magnetic fields can be quite complicated; more if we consider the quantum effects. One example is the collection of Hall effects. There are analogues of these effects for spin and the detection of the most sophisticated one in graphene, where, at least, it should not be strong, is something […]