Tunneling Systems in Amorphous and Crystalline Solids

ISBN-13: 9783642083716 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 600 str.

Pablo Esquinazi

Opis

The aim of this book is to provide a wealth of information on the influence of quantum-tunneling systems on the low-temperature properties of solids. The nineteen contributors of this book review thermodynamic, acoustic, dielectric and optical properties of amorphous and crystalline solids in eight chapters. The newest experiments on long-time spectral diffusion and heat release, electric field and strain effects, as well as nonequilibrium phenomena are thoroughly discussed. Several theoretical contributions provide an overview of the most original ideas and theoretical methods used nowadays to understand the nature and dynamics oftunneling systems in solids and their interactions. The book provides full description on the experimental and theoretical details of the relevant experiments and theories. Within the broad spectrum of properties that are related to the contribu tion of tunneling systems, I have selected special topics which will be of value for experienced as well as graduate students working on low-temperature re search. Most of the chapters serve as useful introductory surveys, since they are not too specialized. I wish to express my thanks to the following colleagues for their impor tant comments on several chapters of this book: Ansel C. Anderson, Guy Bellessa, Dimitri Parshin, Roman Personov, Robert Silbey, James Skinner, Ulrich Weiss, and Helmut Wipf. I would like to thank Mrs. Annette Setzer for her help with the reference list, as well as to the co-workers at the De partment of Superconductivity and Magnetism, Universitiit Leipzig, for their support."

Spis treści

1. Introduction.- 2. Heat Release in Solids.- 3. Crossover to Phonon-Assisted Tunneling in Insulators and Metals.- 4. Influence of Tunneling Systems on the Acoustic Properties of Disordered Solids.- 5. Interactions Between Tunneling Defects in Amorphous Solids.- 6. Investigation of Tunneling Dynamics by Optical Hole-Burning Spectroscopy.- 7. Tunneling of H and D in Metals and Semiconductors.- 8. Microscopic View of the Low-Temperature Anomalies in Glasses.- 9. Beyond the Standard Tunneling Model: The Soft-Potential Model.- References.

O autorze

The book provides a full description of experimental and theoretical details and the latest theories, being comprehensive in discussion and presentation. Although it does not review all low-temperature properties and theoretical models it provides graduate students and researchers with a wealth of information on the influence and dynamics of tunneling systems in different solids.

Blurb

This book provides a wealth of information on the influence of quantum-tunneling systems on the low-temperature properties of solids. It reviews the thermodynamic, acoustic, dielectric and optical properties of amorphous and crystalline solids. The latest experiments on long-time spectral diffusion and heat release, electric field and strain effects, quantum tunneling on light atoms like H and D, as well as non-equilibrium phenomena are thoroughly discussed in terms of the interaction with and between tunneling systems. Several outstanding theoretical contributions provide an overview of the most original ideas and theoretical methods used to understand the nature and dynamics of tunneling systems in solids and their interactions. The book introduces the non-expert reader to the phenomenological standard tunneling model and its further development, the soft potential model. The chapters of the book give full descriptions of the experimental and theoretical methods of the relevant experiments and models in the fascinating field of the physics of glasses and disordered solids.