The magic of physics - with Felix Flicker

The speaker begins by drawing an analogy between the magical world of wizards and the everyday magic of technology, specifically focusing on the magic of light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs, which are essentially crystals, light up through the application of electric current, a process the speaker likens to a spell cast by a wizard. The speaker then introduces the topic of condensed matter physics, the study of the states of matter and their transformations, and its practical applications in technology. The audience's familiarity with other physics concepts, such as gravitational waves, is contrasted with their general unfamiliarity with condensed matter physics, despite it being the largest area in physics. The speaker aims to convince the audience that the familiar and practical can be magical, akin to the hands-on magic performed by wizards in fantasy settings.

The speaker delves into the magical properties of crystals, highlighting their geometric perfection and the inherent order that arises from chaotic environments. The discussion includes the practical applications of crystals, such as quartz's piezoelectric properties, which generate an electrical voltage when squeezed. This phenomenon is used in technologies like lighters and potential future applications like energy-harvesting floors. The speaker also touches on the concept of birefringence in calcite, where light is split into two paths, leading to profound insights about the nature of reality and quantum mechanics. The summary emphasizes the dual nature of crystals as both practical tools and magical curiosities.

The speaker continues the theme of magic in condensed matter physics, focusing on the quantum mechanical underpinnings of crystals. The discussion includes the concept of quasi-particles, which are collective behaviors of particles that can't exist independently, such as phonons representing sound in a crystal. The speaker uses the analogy of a magnet interacting with compasses to illustrate how quasi-particles can have different properties than their constituent particles. The speaker also mentions the ability of condensed matter physicists to create new 'laws of physics' by designing materials that exhibit unique behaviors at the atomic scale, highlighting the creative and exploratory aspects of the field.

The speaker introduces superconductors, a state of matter that exhibits magical properties such as the Meissner effect, where magnetic fields are perfectly expelled. The demonstration involves a levitating magnet above a superconductor, showcasing this effect. Superconductors are explained as having zero electrical resistance, which has practical applications in technologies like MRI scanners, magnetic levitation trains, and particle accelerators. The speaker also discusses the potential future use of superconductors in power lines to eliminate energy loss due to resistance, highlighting the transition from theoretical magic to practical technology.

The speaker concludes by connecting the magical properties of superconductors to all solids, including crystals. The demonstration of pushing on a crystal and having the entire structure move is highlighted as an example of quantum mechanics manifesting on a macro scale, akin to the behavior of a superconductor. The speaker argues that all matter is magical, as it exhibits quantum mechanical properties in familiar and practical ways. The conclusion reinforces the idea that the magic of condensed matter physics is not only in its exotic phenomena but also in the everyday materials that exhibit these properties.