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Fifteen years on from the highly praised The New Physics, new scientific advances have led to a dramatic reappraisal of our understanding of the world around us, and made a significant impact on our lifestyle. Underpinning all the other branches of science, physics affects the way we live our lives and ultimately how life itself functions. This fully rewritten new edition investigates key frontiers in modern physics. Exploring our universe, from the particles within atoms to the stars making up galaxies, it reveals the vital role invisible mechanisms play in the world around us, and explains new techniques, from nano-engineering and brain research to the latest advances in high-speed data networks and custom-built materials. Written by leading international experts in a lively and accessible style, each of the nineteen self-contained chapters will fascinate scientists of all disciplines, and anyone wanting to know more about the world of physics.
Introduction Gordon Fraser; Part I. Matter and the Universe: 1. Cosmology Wendy Freedman and Rocky Kolb; 2. Gravity Ronald Adler; 3. Astrophysics Arnon Dar; 4. Particles and the standard model Chris Quigg; 5. Superstrings Michael Green; Part II. Quantum Matter: 6. Atoms and photons Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and Jean Dalibard; 7. The quantum world of ultra-cold atoms Christopher Foot and William Phillips; 8. Superfluidity Henry Hall; 9. Quantum phase transitions Subir Sachdev; Part III. Quanta in Action: 10. Quantum entanglement Anton Zeilinger; 11. Quanta, ciphers and computers Artur Ekert; 12. Small-scale structure and nanoscience Yoseph Imry; Part IV. Calculation and Computation: 13. Nonlinearity Henry Abarbanel; 14. Complexity Antonio Politi; 15. Collaborative physics, E-science and the grid Tony Hey and Anne Trefethen; Part V. Science in Action: 16. Biophysics Cyrus Safinya; 17. Medical physics Nicolaj Pavel; 18. Physics and materials Robert Cahn; 19. Physics and society Ugo Amaldi.
Gordon Fraser is a freelance science writer, and has published several books. He worked at CERN for over 25 years and is a former editor of Cern Courier, the international monthly news magazine of high-energy physics.
'It is beautifully presented and, given the contributor list, authoritative ! I wholeheartedly recommend it to researchers, postgraduate students and perhaps advanced undergraduates in the sciences.' Times Higher Education Supplement '! it is written at a level that can be digested by eager undergraduates but will also be instructive to experienced physicists. It is lavishly produced and good value - several physicist colleagues have passed on unsolicited praise of the level of presentation. ! The message of The New Physics for the Twenty-First Century is that the most fundamental problems remain elusive, but the magnificent tools that have been developed during the past decade have opened up new vistas on subjects once thought to be familiar.' Physics World 'The message of The New Physics for the Twenty-first Century is that the mostfundamental problems remain elusive, but the magnificent tools that have been developed during the past decade have opened up new vistas on subjects once thought to be familiar.' Physics Web ' ... accessible to a general readership. ... this is down to the freshness of the technical material, but it also presents topics that can be usefully pondered by those with little background in physics ... well worth perusing ... it is written at a level that can be digested by eager undergraduates but will also be instructive to experienced physicists. I is lavishly produced and good value.' Physics Web
