Martin Dressel

Electrodynamics of Solids: Optical Properties of Electrons in Matter

The authors of this book present a thorough discussion of the optical properties of solids, with a focus on electron states and their response to electrodynamic fields. A review of the fundamental aspects of the propagation of electromagnetic fields, and their interaction with condensed matter, is given. This is followed by a discussion of the optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and collective states of solids such as superconductors. Theoretical concepts, measurement techniques and experimental results are covered in three interrelated sections. Well-established, mature fields are discussed (for example, classical metals and semiconductors) together with modern topics at the focus of current interest. The substantial reference list included will also prove to be a valuable resource for those interested in the electronic properties of solids. The book is intended for use by advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers active in the fields of condensed matter physics, materials science and optical engineering.

Direct Observation of Quantum Coherence in Single-Molecule Magnets

Direct evidence of quantum coherence in a single-molecule magnet in a frozen solution is reported with coherence times as long as T{2}=630+/-30 ns. We can strongly increase the coherence time by modifying the matrix in which the single-molecule magnets are embedded. The electron spins are coupled to the proton nuclear spins of both the molecule itself and, interestingly, also to those of the solvent. The clear observation of Rabi oscillations indicates that we can manipulate the spin coherently, an essential prerequisite for performing quantum computations.

Dielectric properties of ultrathin metal films around the percolation threshold

Optical reflection measurements of thin Au films at and around the percolation threshold (film thickness 3\char21{}10 nm) are performed in an extremely broad spectral range up to

On-chain electrodynamics of metallic ( TMTSF ) 2 X salts: Observation of Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid response

35\text{ }000\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}

Highly tunable photonic crystal filter for the terahertz range

. Combining spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and dc measurements, the dielectric properties of the films can be described over the whole frequency range by Kramers-Kronig consistent effective dielectric functions. The optical conductivity of the films is dominated by two contributions: a Drude component starting at the percolation threshold in the low-frequency range and by plasmons in the near-infrared region, which shift down in frequency with increasing film thickness. The interplay of both components leads to a dielectric anomaly in the infrared region with a maximum of the dielectric constant at the insulator-to-metal transition. The results are compared to predictions from effective-medium approximations and percolation theory.

Circular-Polarization-Dependent Study of the Microwave Photoconductivity in a Two-Dimensional Electron System

We have measured the electrodynamic response in the metallic state of three highly anisotropic conductors,

Spectroscopic signatures of spin-charge separation in the quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor TTF-TCNQ.

(\mathrm{TMTSF}{)}_{2}X,

Kramers-Kronig-consistent optical functions of anisotropic crystals: generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry on pentacene

where

Evidence for spin–charge separation in quasi-one-dimensional organic conductors

X={\mathrm{PF}}_{6}

Microwave cavity perturbation technique: Part II: Experimental scheme

,