Electrodynamics of Quantum-Critical Conductors and Superconductors [Hardcover]

This thesis presents and discusses recent optical low-temperature experiments on disordered NbN, granular Al thin-films, and the heavy-fermion compound CeCoIn5, offering a unified picture of quantum-critical superconductivity. It provides a concise introduction to the respective theoretical models employed to interpret the experimental results, and guides readers through in-depth calculations supplemented with supportive figures in order to both retrace the interpretations and span the bridge between experiment and state-of-the art theory.

Field-Theoretical Basics of Superconductivity.- Experimental Studies of Disordered NBN.- Thin
lms.- Experimental Studies of Granular Al Thin Films.- Experimental Studies of the Heavy.- Fermion?Metal CeCoIn5.

This thesis presents and discusses recent optical low-temperature experiments on disordered NbN, granular Al thin-films, and the heavy-fermion compound CeCoIn5, offering a unified picture of quantum-critical superconductivity. It provides a concise introduction to the respective theoretical models employed to interpret the experimental results, and guides readers through in-depth calculations supplemented with supportive figures in order to both retrace the interpretations and span the bridge between experiment and state-of-the art theory.

Nominated as an outstanding PhD thesis by the Physical Institute-University of Stuttgart, Germany

Treats theory and experiments on equal footings

Employs theoretical models to interpret and process the data, and presents them in an understandable, comprehensive, and retraceable manner

Includes more than 100 side notes accompanying the main text which ease the understanding and provide valuable insights into related fields of physics