Book description
Using potassium as an example, this work presents a unique approach to
the anomalous effects in metals, resulting in knowledge that can be
applied to similar materials.
Most theoretical predictions on the electric, magnetic, optical, and
thermal properties of a simple metal do ? surprisingly ? not agree with
experimental behavior found in alkali metals. The purpose of this volume
is to document the many phenomena that have violated expectations. It
collects in one place the research by Albert Overhauser, one of the
pioneers of the field. His and his collaborators work has led to a
unified synthesis of alkali metal peculiarities. The unique collection
of 65 reprint papers, commented where necessary to explain the context
and perspective, is preceded by a thorough and well paced introduction.
The book is meant to advanced solid state physics and science
historians.
It might also serve as additional reading in advanced solid state
physics courses.
With a foreword by Mildred and Gene Dresselhaus
Albert Overhauser graduated in Physics and Mathematics at the
University of California, Berkeley. In 1951 he was awarded the Ph. D. in
Physics for research carried out under the supervision of Charles
Kittel. He began his professional career at the University of Illinois
where he developed his famous theory of dynamic nuclear polarization
which shortly after its experimental confirmation became known by its
current name, the Overhauser effect. In 1953 he went to Cornell, which
he left in 1958 to accept a position at Ford. In 1973 he became
Professor of Physics at Purdue University.
Albert Overhauser has received numerous distiguished honors, and in 1994
was being awarded the National Medal of Science; the highest honor the
United States bestows on its citizens for scientific achievement,
"For his fundamental contributions to understanding the physics of
solids, to theoretical physics and for the impact of his technological
advances..."
