Solid-State Physics & Bands

Bloch and Wilson explain with quantum mechanics why some solids conduct, insulate or semiconduct: the band model.

In 1928 Bloch described electrons in crystals as waves, and in 1931 Wilson used the resulting energy bands to separate metals, insulators and semiconductors. This theory made it possible to design materials deliberately and was the basis for the transistor (1947). Solid-state physics also covers magnetism, superconductors and, today, topological materials.