This text is an introductory compilation of basic concepts, methods and applications in the field of spectroscopy. It discusses new radiation sources such as lasers and synchrotrons and describes the linear response together with the basic principles and the technical background for various scattering experiments.

The authors of this book present a thorough discussion of the optical properties of solids, with a focus on electron states and their response to electrodynamic fields. A review of the fundamental aspects of the propagation of electromagnetic fields, and their interaction with condensed matter, is given. This is followed by a discussion of the optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and collective states of solids such as superconductors. Theoretical concepts, measurement techniques and experimental results are covered in three interrelated sections. Well-established, mature fields are discussed (for example, classical metals and semiconductors) together with modern topics at the focus of current interest. The substantial reference list included will also prove to be a valuable resource for those interested in the electronic properties of solids. The book is intended for use by advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers active in the fields of condensed matter physics, materials science and optical engineering.

In Bird of Passage by Rudolf Peierls, we find a paragraph in which he de scribes his Cambridge days in the 1930s: On these [relativistic field theory] problems my main contacts were Dirac, and the younger theoreticians. These included in particular Nevill (now Sir Nevill) Mott, perhaps the friendliest among many kind and friendly people we met then. Professor Kamimura became associated with Sir Rudolf Peierls in the 1950s, when he translated, with his colleagues, Peierls's 1955 textbook, Quantum Theory of Solids, into Japanese. This edition, to which Sir Rudolf himself contributed a preface, benefitted early generations of Japanese solid state physicists. Later in 1974/5, during a sabbatical year spent at the Cavendish Laboratory, Professor Kamimura met and began a long association with Sir Nevill Mott. In particular, they developed ideas for disordered systems. One of the outcomes is a paper coauthored by them on ESR-induced variable range hopping in doped semiconductors. A series of works on disordered systems, together with those on two-dimensional systems, have served as building blocks for Physics of Interacting Electrons in Disordered Systems, in the International Series of Monographs on Physics, coauthored by Aoki and published in 1989 by the Oxford University Press. Soon after Professor Kamimura obtained a D. Sc. in 1959 for the work on the ligand field theory under the supervision ofMasao Kotani, his strong con nections in the international physical community began when he worked at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1961/64.

Although there are many books published in solid state physics, there is a wide gap between the active field of research and the concepts traditionally taught in solid state courses. This book fills that gap. The style is tutorial, simple, and completely self-contained. Solid State Physicsexplains to readers the newest advances in the area of condensed matter physics with rigorous, but lucid mathematics. Examples are an integral part of the text, and they are carefully designed to apply the fundamental principles illustrated in the text to currently active topics of research. Bridges the gap between fundamental principles and active fields of reserch, including explanations of all the latest advances Provides an in-depth treatment of current research topics Examples are integral to the text and apply fundamental principles to current topics of research Both authors have many years of experience of teaching at a variety of levels--undergraduate, post-graduate, tutorial workshops and seminars