Quantum Liquids: Bose Condensation and Cooper Pairing in Condensed-Matter Systems (Oxford Graduate Texts)

Starting from first principles, this book introduces the closely related phenomena of Bose condensation and Cooper pairing, in which a very large number of single particles or pairs of particles are forced to behave in exactly the same way, and explores their consequences in condensed matter systems. Eschewing advanced formal methods, the author uses simple concepts and arguments to account for the various qualitatively new phenomena which occur in Bose-condensed and Cooper-paired systems, including but not limited to the spectacular macroscopic phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity; the physical systems discussed include liquid 4-He, the BEC alkali gases, "classical" superconductors, superfluid 3-He, "exotic" superconductors and the recently stabilized Fermi alkali gases.The book should be accessible to beginning graduate students in physics or advanced undergraduates. The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa.--Werner HeisenbergThat God would choose to play dice with the world is something I cannot believe.--Albert EinsteinNothing exists until it is measured.--Neils BohrThe remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalismIn 1927, the young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as "the uncertainty principle." Building on his own radical innovations in quantum theory, Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. Heisenberg's principle implied that scientific quantities/concepts do not have absolute, independent meaning, but acquire meaning only in terms of the experiments used to measure them. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. The eminent scientist Niels Bohr, Heisenberg's mentor and Einstein's long-time friend, found himself caught between the two.Uncertainty chronicles the birth and evolution of one of the most significant findings in the history of science, and portrays the clash of ideas and personalities it provoked. Einstein was emotionally as well as intellectually determined to prove the uncertainty principle false. Heisenberg represented a new generation of physicists who believed that quantum theory overthrew the old certainties; confident of his reasoning, Heisenberg dismissed Einstein's objections. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining Einstein's support as the world faced the shocking implications of Heisenberg's principle. The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa. Werner Heisenberg That God would choose to play dice with the world is something I cannot believe. Albert Einstein Nothing exists until it is measured. Neils Bohr The remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalism In 1927, the young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as the uncertainty principle. Building on his own radical innovations in quantum theory, Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. Heisenbergs principle implied that scientific quantities/concepts do not have absolute, independent meaning, but acquire meaning only in terms of the experiments used to measure them. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. The eminent scientist Niels Bohr, Heisenbergs mentor and Einsteins long-time friend, found himself caught between the two. Uncertainty chronicles the birth and evolution of one of the most significant findings in the history of science, and portrays the clash of ideas and personalities it provoked. Einsteinwas emotionally as well as intellectually determined to prove the uncertainty principle false. Heisenberg represented a new generation of physicists who believed that quantum theory overthrew the old certainties; confident of his reasoning, Heisenberg dismissed Einsteins objections. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining Einsteins support as the world faced the shocking implications of Heisenbergs principle. Max Jammer's Concepts Of Simultaneity Presents A Comprehensive, Accessible Account Of The Historical Development Of An Important And Controversial Concept--which Played A Critical Role In Initiating Modern Theoretical Physics--from The Days Of Egyptian Hieroglyphs Through To Einstein's Work In 1905, And Beyond. Beginning With The Use Of The Concept Of Simultaneity In Ancient Egypt And In The Bible, The Study Discusses Its Role In Greek And Medieval Philosophy As Well As Its Significance In Newtonian Physics And In The Ideas Of Leibniz, Kant, And Other Classical Philosophers. The Central Theme Of Jammer's Presentation Is A Critical Analysis Of The Use Of This Concept By Philosophers Of Science, Like Poincare, And Its Significant Role In Inaugurating Modern Theoretical Physics In Einstein's Special Theory Of Relativity. Particular Attention Is Paid To The Philosophical Problem Of Whether The Notion Of Distant Simultaneity Presents A Factual Reality Or Only A Hypothetical Convention. The Study Concludes With An Analysis Of Simultaneity's Importance In General Relativity And Quantum Mechanics.--publisher's Website. 1. Terminological Preliminaries -- 2. The Concept Of Simultaneity In Antiquity -- 3. Medieval Conceptions Of Simultaneity -- 4. The Concept Of Simultaneity In The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries -- 5. The Concept Of Simultaneity In Classical Physics -- 6. The Transition To The Relativistic Conception Of Simultaneity -- 7. Simultaneity In The Special Theory Of Relativity -- 8. The Reception Of The Relativistic Conception Of Simultaneity -- 9. The Conventionality Thesis -- 10. The Promulgation Of The Conventionality Thesis -- 11. Symmetry And Transitivity Of Simultaneity -- 12. Arguments Against The Conventionality Thesis -- 13. Clock Transport Synchrony -- 14. Recent Debates On The Conventionality Of Simultaneity. Max Jammer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Max Jammer's Concepts of Simultaneity presents a comprehensive, accessible account of the historical development of an important and controversial concept—which played a critical role in initiating modern theoretical physics—from the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs through to Einstein's work in 1905, and beyond. Beginning with the use of the concept of simultaneity in ancient Egypt and in the Bible, the study discusses its role in Greek and medieval philosophy as well as its significance in Newtonian physics and in the ideas of Leibniz, Kant, and other classical philosophers. The central theme of Jammer's presentation is a critical analysis of the use of this concept by philosophers of science, like Poincaré, and its significant role in inaugurating modern theoretical physics in Einstein's special theory of relativity. Particular attention is paid to the philosophical problem of whether the notion of distant simultaneity presents a factual reality or only a hypothetical convention. The study concludes with an analysis of simultaneity's importance in general relativity and quantum mechanics. The remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalism. In 1927, young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as "the uncertainty principle." Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. Niels Bohr, Heisenberg's mentor and Einstein's long-time friend, found himself caught between the two. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining Einstein's support as the world faced the shocking implications of Heisenberg's principle.--From publisher description Starting from first principles, this book introduces the closely related phenomena of Bose condensation and Cooper pairing, in which a very large number of single particles or pairs of particles are forced to behave in exactly the same way, and explores their consequences in condensed matter systems. Eschewing advanced formal methods, the author uses simple concepts and arguments to account for the various qualitatively new phenomena which occur in Bose-condensed and Cooper-paired systems, including but not limited to the spectacular macroscopic phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity. The physical systems discussed include liquid 4-He, the BEC alkali gases,'classical'superconductors, superfluid 3-He,'exotic'superconductors and the recently stabilized Fermi alkali gases. The book should be accessible to beginning graduate students in physics or advanced undergraduates. ## Abstract Starting from first principles, this book introduces the closely related phenomena of Bose condensation and Cooper pairing, in which a very large number of single particles or pairs of particles are forced to behave in exactly the same way. Their consequences in condensed matter systems are also explored. Eschewing advanced formal methods, the book uses simple concepts and arguments to account for the various qualitatively new phenomena which occur in Bose-condensed and Cooper-paired systems, including but not limited to the spectacular macroscopic phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity. The physical systems discussed include liquid 4-He, the BEC alkali gases, “classical” superconductors, superfluid 3-He, “exotic” superconductors, and the recently stabilized Fermi alkali gases. Introducing The Related Phenomena Of Bose Condensation And Cooper Pairing, In Which A Very Large Number Of Single Particles Or Pairs Of Particles Are Forced To Behave In Exactly The Same Way, This Book Explores Their Consequences In Condensed Matter Systems, Eschewing Advanced Formal Methods. 1 Quantum Liquids -- 2 Bec: Its Definition, Origin, Occurrence, And Consequences -- 3 Liquid 4he -- 4 The Bose Alkali Gases -- 5 Classical Superconductivity -- 6 Superfluid 3he -- 7 Cuprate Superconductivity -- 8 Miscellaneous Topics A.j. Leggett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 373-379) And Index. Max Jammer's Simultaneity offers a comprehensive and fully documented account of how the concept of simultaneity evolved throughout the centuries, from its use in ancient Egypt and the Bible, to its presence in Pre-Socratic, Aristotelian, Hellenistic and medieval philosophy, to its significance in Newtonian physics and in the philosophies of Leibniz and Kant. He discusses its function in the special and general theories of relativity and quantum mechanics, and provides insight into the ongoing present-day discourse on the conventionality thesis of distant simultaneity David Lindley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-247) And Index.