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Condensed Matter Lab

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Condensed Matter Physics Simulator — Phonons & Bands

This condensed matter lab covers four fundamental solid-state phenomena. The Phonon mode animates a 1D atomic chain with springs and plots the ω(k) dispersion curve. Band Structure mode shows valence and conduction bands with thermally excited carriers that respond to temperature and band-gap changes — classifying materials as conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. Superconductivity mode demonstrates the Meissner effect with expelled field lines and Cooper pairs. Magnetism mode runs an Ising model on a 24×24 spin lattice.

What you can do in this simulation

  • Adjust temperature (10–1000 K) and observe phase transitions in real time
  • Set band gap (0–5 eV) to switch between conductor, semiconductor, and insulator behavior
  • Vary wavevector k (1–100) to explore phonon dispersion
  • Watch Meissner effect expel magnetic field lines below Tc = 90 K
  • Observe Ising model spin ordering and disordering relative to Tc = 500 K

Concepts covered

phonon dispersion · band structure · superconductivity · Meissner effect · Ising model · Cooper pairs

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