Electron
A Centenary Volume

A multi-author centenary volume celebrating the discovery of the electron.

Michael Springford (Edited by)

9780521078894, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 December 2008

344 pages, 68 b/w illus. 5 tables
24.4 x 17 x 1.8 cm, 0.55 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This is an impressive and attractive book and has been very well produced by Cambridge University Press.' Contemporary Physics

This book marked the centenary of the discovery of the electron by J. J. Thomson in 1897, an event which occurred at a great turning point in the history of scientific ideas, and the impact of which on the development of science in the twentieth century has been profound. The electron was the first elementary particle to be discovered. It sets the basic scales of energy and length in chemistry and materials science, and its ubiquitous presence to drive electrical and electronic devices in everyday life is familiar to everyone. In this book the discussion moves from the historical context of the discovery of the electron and its basic properties, to the Dirac equation, bonding in condensed matter, Fermi and non-Fermi liquids, quantum order, superconductivity, heavy, coherent and composite electrons, and the role of the electron in the cosmos, with each chapter written by a prominent figure in the field.

1. J. J. Thomson and the discovery of the electron A. B. P. Pippard
2. The isolated electron W. N. Cottingham
3. The relativistic electron D. I. Olive
4. The electron glue B. L. Gyorffy
5. The electron fluid P. Coleman
6. The magnetic electron G. G. Lonzarich
7. The paired electron A. J. Leggett
8. The heavy electron M. Springford
9. The coherent electron Y. Imry and M. Peskin
10. The composite electron R. Nicholas
11. The electron in the cosmos M. S. Longair.

Subject Areas: Condensed matter physics [liquid state & solid state physics PHFC]