Chapter 17

Starting in the early 1940’s, the experimental study of electrons in metals and their interaction with the atoms of the crystal lattice played a major role in physics research. The goal was to measure the mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties of metals, insulators, and other forms of condensed matter. These measurements would then lead to the development of theoretical models based on the laws of electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. The models in turn would lead to the creation of new materials for applications in electronics, optics and many other areas. We have looked at the experimental work of Smith, Gordon, Eck and Schuele in Chapters 7 and 12. Here we shall sample some of the work done by our condensed matter theorists in explaining the experimental observations in terms of fundamental physics principles.