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Single particle effects on the dynamics of quasi-particles: Old ideas, new issues, and possible experiments

The novel band structures of graphene and topological insulators have led to a revival of interest in the effects of the lattice on the motion of quasi-particles in solids.  We look at two of these, the establishment of the effective mass and the nature of the anomalous velocity, as they arise in quite ordinary solids.  Relevant experiments are suggested involving cold atom physics and the optics and THz response of semiconductor quantum wells.