The Josephson Effect

Superconducting devices are becoming a central component in a variety of new technologies. Selected for their remarkable electronic and magnetic properties, the development of materials that enter the superconducting state at reasonable temperatures has increased their practicality. In this article, we discuss the Josephson effect and investigate its applications to modern-day physics and engineering. Superconductivity

The Physics of Timekeeping

The desire to measure periods of time dates back thousands of years. The position of the Sun gave early humans the ability to estimate the proportion of the day that had passed, however clocks as we know them today didn’t make their first appearance until the 17th century. Despite their distinctive designs, most clocks are

Scattering: Unmasking Nature

Understanding the composition and structure of matter is perhaps the most ubiquitous objective across the physical sciences. The fundamental structures found within matter are typically on the nanometre scale and have thus proved unobservable for most of history. Following a number of developments during the 20th century, we are now capable of probing nature to

Semiconductors: Controlling Current Flow

The conductivity of materials is a spectrum; on one end lies conductors, materials that readily allow the flow of electrical current, and at the other lie insulators, which block current flow. Between these extremes lie semiconductors that only conduct under certain conditions, making them perfect for controlling electric current. Pure Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge)