Fundamentals of the Physics of Solids - Volume 1: Structure and Dynamics

The reader is holding the ?rst volume of a three-volume textbook on sol- state physics. This book is the outgrowth of the courses I have taught for many years at Eötvös University, Budapest, for undergraduate and graduate students under the titles Solid-State Physics and Modern Solid-State Physics. The main motivation for the publication of my lecture notes as a book was that none of the truly numerous textbooks covered all those areas that I felt should be included in a multi-semester course. Especially, if the course strives to present solid-state physics in a uni?ed structure, and aims at d- cussing not only classic chapters of the subject matter but also (in more or less detail) problems that are of great interest for today's researcher as well. Besides, the book presents a much larger material than what can be covered in a two- or three-semester course. In the ?rst part of the ?rst volume the analysis of crystal symmetries and structure goes into details that certainly cannot be included in a usual course on solid-state physics. The same applies, among others, to the discussion of the methods used in the determination of band structure,the properties of Fermi liquids and non-Fermiliquids, andthe theory of unconventional superconductors in the second and third volumes. These parts canbe assignedas supplementary reading for interested students, or can be discussed in advanced courses.

List of contents

The Structure of Condensed Matter.- The Building Blocks of Solids.- Bonding in Solids.- Symmetries of Crystals.- Consequences of Symmetries.- The Structure of Crystals.- Methods of Structure Determination.- The Structure of Real Crystals.- The Structure of Noncrystalline Solids.- Dynamics of Crystal Lattices.- The Quantum Theory of Lattice Vibrations.- The Experimental Study of Phonons.- Magnetically Ordered Systems.- Elementary Excitations in Magnetic Systems.

Summary

This ground-breaking new book is the first of a three-volume series written by the same author that plugs a real gap in the literature. It aims to deliver a comprehensive and self-contained account of the fundamentals of the physics of solids. In the presentation of the properties and experimentally observed phenomena together with the basic concepts and theoretical methods, it goes far beyond most classic texts. The essential features of various experimental techniques are also explained. After presenting some features of atoms as building blocks of solids, and how atoms bind together to form solids, the first volume discusses the structural aspects of solids, lattice vibrations, and finally, magnetism due to localized magnetic moments. The text provides material for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses. It will also be a valuable reference for researchers in the field of condensed matter physics.

Additional text

From the reviews:

"This first volume … focuses on crystal structure and lattice dynamics. … provides a substantial amount of theoretical material at an advanced graduate level. … There is more material here than can be covered in a single semester, and this book is more detailed than the well-known books … . This volume would be most attractive for a one- or even two-semester advanced graduate course, and is a desirable reference work anywhere condensed matter/solid state/materials research is conducted. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals." (M. C. Ogilvie, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), 2008)
"This is the first volume of three textbooks used by author to teach a two or three semester solid-state physics course at Eötvös University in Budapest. … We found the text very self-explanatory, very student friendly, and highly useful. … In conclusion, this first volume is an excellent textbook that we recommend for a solid-state physics course … . Many students and solid-state research fellows will find it easy to learn from this book even without help from a professor." (Fernande Grandjean and Gary J. Long, Belgian Physical Society Magazine, Issue (1), March, 2009)

Report

From the reviews:

"This first volume ... focuses on crystal structure and lattice dynamics. ... provides a substantial amount of theoretical material at an advanced graduate level. ... There is more material here than can be covered in a single semester, and this book is more detailed than the well-known books ... . This volume would be most attractive for a one- or even two-semester advanced graduate course, and is a desirable reference work anywhere condensed matter/solid state/materials research is conducted. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals." (M. C. Ogilvie, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), 2008)
"This is the first volume of three textbooks used by author to teach a two or three semester solid-state physics course at Eötvös University in Budapest. ... We found the text very self-explanatory, very student friendly, and highly useful. ... In conclusion, this first volume is an excellent textbook that we recommend for a solid-state physics course ... . Many students and solid-state research fellows will find it easy to learn from this book even without help from a professor." (Fernande Grandjean and Gary J. Long, Belgian Physical Society Magazine, Issue (1), March, 2009)

Product details

• Authors: Jenö Sólyom
• Assisted by: A. Piróth (Editor), A. Piróth (Translation)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 06.10.2010
• EAN: 9783642091612
• ISBN: 978-3-642-09161-2
• No. of pages: 697
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 41 mm x 235 mm
• Weight: 1090 g
• Illustrations: XX, 697 p. 240 illus.
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Atomic physics, nuclear physics; B, Vibration, Spin, symmetry, Condensed Matter Physics, Condensed matter, Physics and Astronomy, scattering