Three different devices that I used earlier today that were made possible, at least in part, by atomic physics are:
- My smartphone, which uses a lithium-ion battery that relies on the movement of lithium ions between electrodes. Lithium-ion batteries have high energy density and long cycle life, making them ideal for portable devices. The development of lithium-ion batteries was based on the understanding of the atomic structure and electrochemical properties of lithium and other materials¹.
- My microwave oven, which uses a magnetron to generate electromagnetic waves that heat up the food. A magnetron is a device that converts electrical energy into microwave radiation by using a stream of electrons that interact with a magnetic field. The magnetron was invented during World War II as a source of radar signals, and later found applications in microwave ovens and other devices. The operation of a magnetron depends on the quantum mechanical behavior of electrons and their interactions with electromagnetic fields².
- My LED lamp, which uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light. LEDs are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current passes through them. The color and brightness of the light depend on the energy gap and the number of electrons in the semiconductor material. LEDs are more energy-efficient and durable than incandescent bulbs, and have many applications in lighting, displays, and communication. The invention of LEDs was based on the discovery of the phenomenon of electroluminescence, which is the emission of light by a material when an electric field is applied to it. The understanding of electroluminescence and the development of LEDs required the knowledge of the atomic structure and the electronic properties of semiconductors³.