Jean-claude Toledano

Primarily aiming to give undergraduate students an introduction to solid state physics, Physics of Electrons in Solids explains the properties of solids through the study of non-interacting electrons in solids. While each chapter contains a qualitative introduction to the main ideas behind solid state physics, it also provides detailed calculations of utmost importance to graduate students. The introductory chapters contain crystallographic and quantum prerequisites. The central chapters are devoted to the quantum states of an independent electron in a crystal and to the equilibrium properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors. The final chapters contain insights into the assumptions made throughout, briefly describing the origin of ferromagnetism and superconductivity. The book ends with exercises and solutions based on a physics course taught by the author at École Polytechnique.

This book introduces the physical mechanism of the plastic deformation of solids, which relies essentially on the occurrence and motion of dislocations. These are linear defects, specific of crystalline solids whose motion under external stresses explains the relative ease by which solids (metals in particular) can be deformed in order to give them desired shapes. The objective is to introduce the topic to undergraduate students, restricting to the main ideas and showing their relevance in interpreting phenomena well known to everyone (e.g. why are certain metals harder than others?), and finally training the students in the practice of calculating the simplest properties of dislocations.

The contents of this book stems from three different objectives. First, it is an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of Landau's theory, which is intended for teaching purposes. A second purpose of the book provides the practical methods for applying Landau's theory to complex systems. The last objective of the book is to incorporate the developments which have arisen in the last fifteen years from the extensive application of the theory to a variety of physical systems.

The contents of this book stems from three different objectives. First, it is an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of Landau's theory, which is intended for teaching purposes. A second purpose of the book provides the practical methods for applying Landau's theory to complex systems. The last objective of the book is to incorporate the developments which have arisen in the last fifteen years from the extensive application of the theory to a variety of physical systems.