solid-state physics

American  

[sahl-id-stayt fiz-iks] / ˈsɑl ɪdˈsteɪt ˈfɪz ɪks /

noun

1. Physics. a branch of condensed matter physics, concerned with the properties of solid matter, including electromagnetism, superconductivity, and photoconductivity.

---

solid-state physics British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of physics concerned with experimental and theoretical investigations of the properties of solids, such as superconductivity, photoconductivity, and ferromagnetism

---

solid-state physics Scientific  

1. The branch of condensed matter physics that specializes in the study of solids, especially in the electric and magnetic properties of solid crystalline materials, such as semiconductors.

---

Example Sentences

Together, the teams demonstrated how a well-known effect from solid-state physics can be faithfully reproduced in an entirely different setting.

From Science Daily • Dec. 23, 2025

Condensed-matter, or solid-state, physics focuses on the properties of solids and liquids with high densities of atoms that constantly interact with one another; by contrast, particle physics deals with subatomic particles.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2020

The trajectory of US solid-state physics, he notes, “followed much the same plot”.

From Nature • Sep. 17, 2018

BH: I was just finishing my Ph.D., which I was doing on solid-state physics.

From Scientific American • Nov. 5, 2013

He knows an awful lot about solid-state physics, and for a physicist, he sure learned enough about micro-assemblies of electronic components.

From The Trouble with Telstar by Schoenherr, John