Showing papers in "Physics Today in 2005"
TL;DR: Superconducting circuits can behave like atoms making transitions between two levels as mentioned in this paper, and such circuits can test quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales and be used to conduct atomic-physics experiments on a silicon chip.
Abstract: Superconducting circuits can behave like atoms making transitions between two levels. Such circuits can test quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales and be used to conduct atomic-physics experiments on a silicon chip.
864 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the interactions of tiny objects with their environments are dominated by thermal fluctuations, and the authors have begun to study such interactions in detail, guided by theory and assisted by new micromanipulation tools.
Abstract: The interactions of tiny objects with their environments are dominated by thermal fluctuations. Guided by theory and assisted by new micromanipulation tools, scientists have begun to study such interactions in detail.
605 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that nanoelectromechanical structures are starting to approach the ultimate quantum mechanical limits for detecting and exciting motion at the nanoscale, and nonclassical states of a mechanical resonator are also on the horizon.
Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical structures are starting to approach the ultimate quantum mechanical limits for detecting and exciting motion at the nanoscale. Nonclassical states of a mechanical resonator are also on the horizon.
546 citations
TL;DR: In this article, changes in the net dipole moment of certain materials form the basis for a broad range of IR detectors, including IR detectors based on a broad class of materials.
Abstract: Changes in the net dipole moment of certain materials form the basis for a broad range of IR detectors.
543 citations
TL;DR: This text, presented as a short course at the SPIE Optical Science and Technology Symposium, couples detailed knowledge of thin-film morphology with the optical response characteristics of STF devices to learn to design and engineer STF materials and devices for future applications, particularly with optical applications.
Abstract: Sculptured thin films (STFs) are a class of nanoengineered materials with properties that can be designed and realized in a controllable manner using physical vapor deposition. This text, presented as a short course at the SPIE Optical Science and Technology Symposium, couples detailed knowledge of thin-film morphology with the optical response characteristics of STF devices. An accompanying CD contains Mathematica(TM) programs for use with the presented formalisms. Thus, readers will learn to design and engineer STF materials and devices for future applications, particularly with optical applications. Graduate students in optics and practicing optical engineers will find the text valuable, as well as those interested in emerging nanotechnologies for optical devices.
490 citations
TL;DR: Parsegian as discussed by the authors presents a detailed overview of van der Waals forces and a wide range of algorithms for computing them under any physical or physiological conditions. But the main focus of this book is on the analysis of the impact of these weak intermolecular forces.
Abstract: This book should prove to be the definitive work explaining van der Waals forces, how to calculate them and take account of their impact under any circumstances and conditions. These weak intermolecular forces are of truly pervasive impact, and biologists, chemists, physicists and engineers will profit greatly from the thorough grounding in these fundamental forces that this book offers. Parsegian has organized his book at three successive levels of mathematical sophistication, to satisfy the needs and interests of readers at all levels of preparation. The Prelude and Level 1 are intended to give everyone an overview in words and pictures of the modern theory of van der Waals forces. Level 2 gives the formulae and a wide range of algorithms to let readers compute the van der Waals forces under virtually any physical or physiological conditions. Level 3 offers a rigorous basic formulation of the theory.
415 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reveal long-term systematic features about citation statistics and how papers are referenced, and the data also tell fascinating citation histories of individual articles, including citation histories and citation histories.
Abstract: Publicly available data reveal long-term systematic features about citation statistics and how papers are referenced. The data also tell fascinating citation histories of individual articles.
411 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a method to solve the problem of "uniformity" in the literature.and.and, and, respectively, the authors' work.
Abstract: and
352 citations
TL;DR: Weak intermolecular interactions, low dielectric constants, and the availability of a nearly unlimited number of different molecules determine the scope of organic semiconductors as systems for exploring and exploiting solid-state phenomena as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Weak intermolecular interactions, low dielectric constants, and the availability of a nearly unlimited number of different molecules determine the scope of organic semiconductors as systems for exploring and exploiting solid-state phenomena.
348 citations
336 citations
TL;DR: By using the tools of physics in their teaching, instructors can move students from mindless memorization to understanding and appreciation as mentioned in this paper, which can help students to move away from memorization.
Abstract: By using the tools of physics in their teaching, instructors can move students from mindless memorization to understanding and appreciation.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the dynamics of ice surfaces has been studied for nearly a century, and it has now grown into an active research topic, even at temperatures well below freezing (see Fig. 1 ).
Abstract: In 1859 Michael Faraday postulated that a thin film of liquid covers the surface of ice—even at temperatures well below freezing. Neglected for nearly a century, the dynamics of ice surfaces has now grown into an active research topic.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the development of American postwar physics by focusing on the ways young physicists learned new calculational skills, using the Feynman diagrams as a means to explore their development.
Abstract: Feynman diagrams have revolutionized nearly every aspect of theoretical physics since the middle of the twentieth century. Introduced by the American physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88) soon after World War II as a means of simplifying lengthy calculations in quantum electrodynamics, they soon gained adherents in many branches of the discipline. Yet as new physicists adopted the tiny line drawings, they also adapted the diagrams and introduced their own interpretations. Drawing Theories Apart traces how generations of young theorists learned to frame their research in terms of the diagrams - and how both the diagrams and their users were molded in the process. Drawing on rich archival materials, interviews, and more than five hundred scientific articles from the period, Drawing Theories Apart uses the Feynman diagrams as a means to explore the development of American postwar physics. By focusing on the ways young physicists learned new calculational skills, David Kaiser frames his story around the crafting and stabilizing of the basic tools in the physicist's kit - thus offering the first book to follow the diagrams once they left Feynman's hands and entered the physics vernacular.
TL;DR: The field has reached a threshold at which better organization becomes crucial and new methods of verifying and validating complex codes are mandatory if computational science is to fulfill its promise for science and society.
Abstract: The field has reached a threshold at which better organization becomes crucial. New methods of verifying and validating complex codes are mandatory if computational science is to fulfill its promise for science and society.
TL;DR: In 1904, a little-known physicist revolutionized fluid dynamics with his notion that the effects of friction are experienced only very near an object moving through a fluid as discussed by the authors, which is known as the "friction effect".
Abstract: In 1904 a little-known physicist revolutionized fluid dynamics with his notion that the effects of friction are experienced only very near an object moving through a fluid.
TL;DR: The observed electric fields in thunderclouds are generally too weak to initiate the atmosphere's electrical breakdown as mentioned in this paper, but cosmic rays can play a surprising role in the drama of lightning.
Abstract: The observed electric fields in thunderclouds are generally too weak to initiate the atmosphere’s electrical breakdown. But cosmic rays can play a surprising role in the drama of lightning.
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown how to manipulate atoms on attosecond time scales to create designer wavefunctions, which can generate even shorter bursts of coherent soft x rays.
Abstract: Ultrashort laser pulses can generate even shorter bursts of coherent soft x rays. The technology now makes it possible to manipulate atoms on attosecond time scales to create designer wavefunctions.
TL;DR: An emerging body of work by physicists addressing questions of economic organization and function suggests new approaches to economics and a broadening of the scope of physics as mentioned in this paper, which suggests a new approach to economics.
Abstract: An emerging body of work by physicists addressing questions of economic organization and function suggests new approaches to economics and a broadening of the scope of physics.
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TL;DR: Science sets itself apart from other paths to truth by recognizing that even its greate practitioners sometimes err as discussed by the authors, and it is worth noting that even the best practitioners sometimes make mistakes.
Abstract: Science sets itself apart from other paths to truth by recognizing that even its greate practitioners sometimes err.
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics can be found in Section 5.1.1, Section 2.2] and Section 3.3].
Abstract: Preface 1. Thermodynamics 2. Statistical entropy and Boltzmann distribution 3. Canonical and grand canonical ensembles: applications 4. Critical phenomena 5. Quantum statistics 6. Irreversible processes: macroscopic theory 7. Numerical simulations 8. Irreversible processes: kinetic theory 9. Topics in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics Appendices References Index.
TL;DR: A great scientist can benefit from peer review, even while refusing to have anything to do with it as discussed by the authors, even if he or she would prefer not to have any part of it.
Abstract: A great scientist can benefit from peer review, even while refusing to have anything to do with it.
TL;DR: In this article, changes in the energy flowing from the Sun can have widespread effects, from climate change to disruptions in satellite communications, and they call for a robust understanding of the Sun-Earth system.
Abstract: Scientific curiosity and societal utility both call for a robust understanding of the Sun-Earth system. Changes—even small ones—in the energy flowing from the Sun can have widespread effects, from climate change to disruptions in satellite communications.
TL;DR: In this article, a coordinate-invariant quantization scheme for chaotic systems was proposed. But this scheme was beyond the reach of an ingenious coordinate invariant quantisation scheme developed by Albert Einstein, and to this day their quantization remains a challenge.
Abstract: Chaotic systems were beyond the reach of an ingenious coordinate-invariant quantization scheme developed by Albert Einstein, and to this day, their quantization remains a challenge.
TL;DR: Einstein's philosophical habit of mind, cultivated by undergraduate training and lifelong dialogue, had a profound effect on the way he did physics as discussed by the authors, and it was a profound influence on his philosophical habits of mind.
Abstract: Einstein’s philosophical habit of mind, cultivated by undergraduate training and lifelong dialogue, had a profound effect on the way he did physics.
TL;DR: Isomers are set apart from other nuclear excitations by their long half-lives, which facilitates the study of nuclear structure and astrophysics, and suggests a variety of practical applications as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Isomers are set apart from other nuclear excitations by their long half-lives. That longevity facilitates the study of nuclear structure and astrophysics, and it suggests a variety of practical applications.
TL;DR: In this article, the story of a World War II project dedicated to electromagnetically separating uranium-235 from uranium-238 was described, and a participating scientist relates the story.
Abstract: A participating scientist relates the story of a World War II project dedicated to electromagnetically separating uranium-235 from uranium-238.