We studied the local single-particle tunneling characteristics [as observed with scanning tunnel microscopy (STM)] for N D and S D tunneling, where N is a normal metal, S is a s-wave superconductor, and D is a d-wave superconductor with a {100} | {110} grain boundary. The tunneling Hamiltonian method was used. The self-consistent order parameter is first determined using the quasiclassical Green'sfunction method, and then the tunneling characteristics at various distances from the interface, reectivity of the interface, and temperature are studied. For N D tunneling, a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) occurs near the interface with diminishing magnitude away from it. For S D tunneling, the ZBCP splits to exhibit the gap of the s-wave low-Tc superconducting tunneling tip and there is a range of negative conductance just outside the peaks when the tunneling point is near the grain boundary. The results are compared with those obtained by using a constant order parameter in each grain.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-120).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--California Institute of Technology, 1992. UM #92-32, 184. / Advisor names found in the Acknowledgments pages of the thesis. Title from home page. Viewed 02/01/2010. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-107).

The Best M.Phil Thesis in the Faculties of Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine and Science (University of Hong Kong), Li Ka Shing Prize,1991-1993 / published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The central aim of this thesis is to present a new kind of realism that is driven not from the traditional realism/anti-realism debate but from the practice of physicists. The usual debate focuses on discussions about the truth of theories and how they relate with nature, while the real practices of the scientists are forgotten. The position I shall defend is called "phenomenological realism". The realist doctrine was recently undermined by the argument from pessimistic meta-induction, also known as the argument from scientific revolutions. I argue that phenomenological realism is a new kind of scientific realism that can overcome the problem generated by the pessimistic meta-induction, and which reflects scientific practice. The realist has tried to overcome the pessimistic meta-induction by suggesting various types of theory dichotomy. I claim that the different types of dichotomy normally presented by realists do not overcome the problem, for these dichotomies cut through theory vertically. I argue for a different kind of dichotomy, one that cuts horizontally, between high-level and low-level theoretical representations. I claim that theoretical forms in physics have two distinct types depending on the way they are built. These are theoretical models that are built depending on a top-down approach and phenomenological models that are built depending on a bottom-up approach. I argue that for the most part only phenomenological models are the vehicles of accurate representation. I present two case studies. The first case study is from superconductivity, where I contrast the BCS model of superconductivity with the phenomenological model of Landau and Ginzburg. The other case study is a fresh look at the Bohr-Einstein debate.