The aim of this book is a discussion, at the introductory level, of some applications of solid state physics. The book evolved from notes written for a course offered three times in the Department of Physics of the University of California at Berkeley. The objects of the course were (a) to broaden the knowledge of graduate students in physics, especially those in solid state physics; (b) to provide a useful course covering the physics of a variety of solid state devices for students in several areas of physics; (c) to indicate some areas of research in applied solid state physics. To achieve these ends, this book is designed to be a survey of the physics of a number of solid state devices. As the italics indicate, the key words in this description are physics and survey. Physics is a key word because the book stresses the basic qualitative physics of the applications, in enough depth to explain the essentials of how a device works but not deeply enough to allow the reader to design one. The question emphasized is how the solid state physics of the application results in the basic useful property of the device. An example is how the physics of the tunnel diode results in a negative dynamic resistance. Specific circuit applications of devices are mentioned, but not emphasized, since expositions are available in the elec trical engineering textbooks given as references.

Assuming an elementary knowledge of quantum and statistical physics, this book provides a guide to principal physical properties of condensed matter, as well as the underlying theory necessary for an understanding of their origins.

While the standard solid state topics are covered, the basic ones often have more detailed derivations than is customary (with an empasis on crystalline solids). Several recent topics are introduced, as are some subjects normally included only in condensed matter physics. Lattice vibrations, electrons, interactions, and spin effects (mostly in magnetism) are discussed the most comprehensively. Many problems are included whose level is from "fill in the steps" to long and challenging, and the text is equipped with references and several comments about experiments with figures and tables.

In addition to the topics discussed in the First Edition, this Second Edition contains introductory treatments of superconducting materials and of ferromagnetism. I think the book is now more balanced because it is divided perhaps 60% - 40% between devices (of all kinds) and materials (of all kinds). For the physicist interested in solid state applications, I suggest that this ratio is reasonable. I have also rewritten a number of sections in the interest of (hopefully) increased clarity. The aims remain those stated in the Preface to the First Edition; the book is a survey of the physics of a number of solid state devices and ma terials. Since my object is a discussion of the basic ideas in a number of fields, I have not tried to present the "state of the art," especially in semi conductor devices. Applied solid state physics is too vast and rapidly changing to cover completely, and there are many references available to recent developments. For these reasons, I have not treated a number of interesting areas. Among the lacunae are superiattices, heterostructures, compound semiconductor devices, ballistic transistors, integrated optics, and light wave communications. (Suggested references to those subjects are given in an appendix. ) I have tried to cover some of the recent revolutionary developments in superconducting materials.

A must-have textbook for any undergraduate studying solid state physics. This successful brief course in solid state physics is now in its second edition. The clear and concise introduction not only describes all the basic phenomena and concepts, but also such advanced issues as magnetism and superconductivity. Each section starts with a gentle introduction, covering basic principles, progressing to a more advanced level in order to present a comprehensive overview of the subject. The book is providing qualitative discussions that help undergraduates understand concepts even if they can?t follow all the mathematical detail. The revised edition has been carefully updated to present an up-to-date account of the essential topics and recent developments in this exciting field of physics. The coverage now includes ground-breaking materials with high relevance for applications in communication and energy, like graphene and topological insulators, as well as transparent conductors. The text assumes only basic mathematical knowledge on the part of the reader and includes more than 100 discussion questions and some 70 problems, with solutions free to lecturers from the Wiley-VCH website. The author's webpage provides Online Notes on x-ray scattering, elastic constants, the quantum Hall effect, tight binding model, atomic magnetism, and topological insulators. This new edition includes the following updates and new features: * Expanded coverage of mechanical properties of solids, including an improved discussion of the yield stress * Crystal structure, mechanical properties, and band structure of graphene * The coverage of electronic properties of metals is expanded by a section on the quantum hall effect including exercises. New topics include the tight-binding model and an expanded discussion on Bloch waves. * With respect to semiconductors, the discussion of solar cells has been extended and improved. * Revised coverage of magnetism, with additional material on atomic magnetism * More extensive treatment of finite solids and nanostructures, now including topological insulators * Recommendations for further reading have been updated and increased. * New exercises on Hall mobility, light penetrating metals, band structure

This book provides the basis for a two-semester graduate course on solid-state physics. The first half presents all the knowledge necessary for a one-semester survey of solid-state physics, but in greater depth than most introductory solid state physics courses. The second half includes most of the important research over the past half-century, covering both the fundamental principles and most recent advances. This new edition includes the latest developments in the treatment of strongly interacting two-dimensional electrons and discusses the generalization from small to larger systems. The book provides explanations in a class-tested tutorial style, and each chapter includes problems reviewing key concepts and calculations. The updated exercises and solutions enable students to become familiar with contemporary research activities, such as the electronic properties of massless fermions in graphene and topological insulators.