Solid Helium Three

One of the hottest topics in low temperature physics during the last two decades has been the revelation of the astonishing properties of crystals of the rare isotope of helium, helium three. This book provides the first complete account of these properties. In it, experimental measurements are described and the development of their interpretation is discussed.Beginning with the phase diagram and thermal properties of this uniquely quantum crystal, Professor Dobbs introduces current theories of solid helium and compares their predictions with measurements of the ground state, elastic and thermal properties, and phonon spectra. the extraordinary magnetic properties are described and discussed in chapters on the paramagnetism, antiferromagnetism and ferromagnetism of the different phases of solid heliu. the text concludes with chapters on the growth of crystals, their defects and studies of monolayers, bilayers, and multilayers grown on a variety of substrates.This book provides an introduction to the extensive literature, particularly that published since 1980, for research staff and students in physics and physical chemistry with an interest in current developments in condensed matter.

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction 2: Quantum crystals 3: Lattice diagrams 4: Paramagnetism 5: Antiferromagnetism in the b.c.c. phase 6: Ferromagnetism in the h.c.p. phase 7: Crystal shapes and defects 8: Low-dimensional structures Author index subject index

Review :
`For an introduction to the field, it is the choice to read - either from cover to cover or as a long-term reference. The author has done an excellent job in reducing the enormous wealth of experimental results, sometimes apparently contradictory to the essentials. For the newcomer to the field it provides an introduction and a gateway to the current literature; for the beginning graduate student it provides a broad, unintimidating survey; for the expert who is momentarily overwhelmed by the volume of available data, it provides a distillation, to allow a regrouping before a renewed attack on the original literature.' Physics Today, December 1995 `This book is an important extension of earlier publications on the topic involving extremely low temperatures. This work provides the first complete account of the astonishing properties of the crystals of solid helium three ... will be found to be very useful and suitable for research staff and students in physics and physical chemistry with an interest in current developments in this field.' W Steckelmacher, University of Sussex, Vacuum/volume 46/number 1/1995