For the past few decades, solid-state physics has expanded tremendously, and it typically takes a complete year as a student to understand its fundamentals. The author has covered all the traditional solid-state physics course contents in this book, including the fundamentals of solid-state physics; group theory basics; and electrical, magnetic, optical, structural, mechanical, cohesive, and dielectric properties of solids, discussed using both classical and quantum approaches. There are 13 parts, consisting of 49 chapters, two main appendices at the end, and numerous appendices at the ends of the chapters. The chapters also contain homework problems. Many figures, diagrams, and tables are provided. Suggestions for additional reading are included at the end of many chapters. Footnotes provide additional information, such as reference citations. The book is aimed toward undergraduate, postgraduate, and research-level students in various disciplines, such as physics, materials science, and solid-state chemistry.
Part I (seven chapters) covers elastic behaviors and electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties of solids, as well as crystal bondings. All the necessary theories, such as the Langevin equation, quantum theory of magnetism, and Debye models, are discussed using both classical and quantum approaches. Appropriate diagrams depict the concepts.
Part II (two chapters) discusses the basics of x-ray crystallography and crystal structures. This part will be useful for beginners, and it could have been included in Part I. All the crystallographic illustrations are excellent and will help students to understand the different Bravais lattices and symmetries.
Part III (four chapters) describes the electronic structure of solids, various models explaining the potentials in solids, and band structures of solids and their applications. Various models, such as the free-electron model, tight-binding approximation, plane-wave method, and Green’s functions, are well covered. Theories treated in this part are useful for master’s-level students and research scholars performing coursework.
Part IV (two chapters) explains the self-consistent dielectric function as well as the Hartree–Fock and density functional theories. These chapters discuss various interactions in solids (such as electron–electron interactions) and methods to solve the single-body and many-body problems. The appendices and problems given in this part are useful for students to understand the concepts and theories. References are up to date.
Part V (two chapters) covers lattice dynamics, such as lattice vibrations and its related properties, with both classical and quantum approaches. Phonon contributions to the thermal expansion, thermal conductivity in dielectrics, and heat transport in solids are covered with appropriate models.
Part VI (four chapters) discusses electron transport and conduction electron dynamics, Fermi surfaces, and metallic electron–phonon interactions. Effects of magnetic and electric fields on Bloch functions, transport under electric field and temperature gradient, and thermoelectric properties of solids, such as the Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, and Hall effect are elaborated with appropriate theories.
Part VII (two chapters) explains semiconductor physics and discusses band structures, band properties, carrier concentration-related topics, and intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors. Functionalities of semiconducting devices such as p–n junctions, various types of diodes, and the effect of an external electric field on p–n junctions are discussed with models and illustrations.
Part VIII (two chapters) covers electrical and magnetic properties of insulators. Different types of polarization in dielectrics, including piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and ferroelectricity, are treated with various theories. Piezoelectric transducers and example problems are provided at the end. Various phase transitions and discontinuities at transition points and the effect of the external electric field on ferroelectric properties are discussed with appropriate diagrams.
Part IX (three chapters) discusses the fundamentals of ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, dynamic properties of magnetic materials, and the basics and applications of magnetic resonance. Various models explain the origins of magnetism. Measurements of magnetization and related problems are provided with experimental setup and the functionality of the instruments. The appendix discusses various mechanisms involved in magnetic resonance, such as spin echoes, relaxation effect, energy dissipation, and chemical and kinetic shifts.
Part X (three chapters) explains optical properties of solids, including excitons, polaritons, plasmons, and material response under various light illuminations. Frequency-dependent susceptibility, the Kramers–Kronig relation, and various excitons are discussed with quantum mechanical approaches. Nonlinear and higher order susceptibility as well as electron–hole liquids with band diagrams are also discussed.
Part XI (seven chapters) is dedicated to fundamentals and phenomenological theories of superconductivity and superfluidity. All the basics, theories, and experiments are included in detail with appropriate plots and illustrations. This part is useful for students studying low-temperature physics.
Part XII (six chapters) elaborates on disorders and defects in solids, phase diagrams, phase equilibrium, and appropriate theories. Various defects such as point defects, color centers, dislocations, and grain boundaries are explained. The quantum theory of electrical transport in dilute alloys, localization/interaction effects, temperature-dependent electrical conductivity, hopping mechanisms, effects of magnetic fields on transport properties of solids, effects of magnetic impurities, and their interaction are explained. The Anderson model, Kondo effect, and RKKY interactions in solids are discussed using quantum approaches.
Part XIII (five chapters) is provided as a special advanced topic dedicated to strongly correlated systems, high-temperature superconductivity, artificial structures and patterned materials, and the quantum Hall effect. This part is useful for researchers working in strongly correlated systems. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes are discussed with beautiful schematics. The electronic properties and band structure of graphene, as well as the effects of magnetic field on their structure and the quantum Hall effect, are treated with quantum approaches.
This is an outstanding book covering fundamental concepts and advanced theories explaining classical and quantum phenomena in solids. Solving the homework problems given at the end of each chapter will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the concepts. This is an advanced-level book on traditional solid-state physics. I strongly recommend it to all undergraduate, master’s level, and research students interested in learning solid-state physics.
Reviewer: K. Kamala Bharathi of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA, and the Department of Physics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India.
