This book develops the best traditions of this kind of scientific literature. Written by working theoretical physicists who are at the same time dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, the book is clear and captivating in style. It brings to the reader the latest achievements of quantum solid-state physics; but on the way it shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in trivial (at first sight) episodes and natural phenomena around us. And what is most important, it portrays the world through the eyes of scientists, "proving the harmony by algebra".

The book in your hands develops the best traditions of the Russian scientific popular literature. Written in a clear and captivating manner by working theoretical physicists, who are, at the same time, dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, it brings to the reader the latest achievements in quantum solid-state physics, but along the way it also shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in seemingly trivial episodes concerning the natural phenomena around us. And most importantly, it shows that we live in the world, where scientists are capable of "proving harmony with...