Dinker B. Sirdeshmukh Livres

The book deals with atomistic properties of solids which are determined by the crystal structure, interatomic forces and atomic displacements influenced by the effects of temperature, stress and electric fields. The book gives equal importance to experimental details and theory. There are full chapters dedicated to the tensor nature of physical properties, mechanical properties, lattice vibrations, crystal structure determination and ferroelectricity. The other crystalline states like nano-, poly-, liquid- and quasi crystals are discussed. Several new topics like nonlinear optics and the Rietveld method are presented in the book. The book lays emphasis on the role of symmetry in crystal properties. Comprehensiveness is the strength of the book; this allows users at different levels a choice of chapters according to their requirements.

Each of the eight chapters treats an important aspect of solid state physics, comprising a complete review of the particular field. Typically, a chapter starts with basic information about a property of a solid and the related experimental techniques. This is followed by a global overview which brings together all important contributions by different research workers in the field. This overview is comprehensive and covers essential literature over the past 60 years. Each chapter concludes with a detailed discussion of the contributions made by the chapter authors and their associates, in some cases spanning the last 45 years. In addition, Micro- and Macro-Properties of Solids provides data on new materials such as rare-earth metals, semiconductors, ferroelectrics, mixed-valence compounds, superionic conductors, optical and optoelectronic materials and biomaterials.

The alkali halide crystals have always been at the centre stage of solid-state physics. They have been „model crystals“ for testing many solid-state theories. In recent decades, they have also proved useful in several applications ranging from X-ray monochromators to tunable lasers. Because of this dual importance - both purely scientific and technological - a vast amount of information has been generated on all aspects of the alkali halides. This information has thus far been scattered throughout numerous journals and reference sources. This handbook brings together a wide range of information on the experimentally determined properties of the alkali halides. Some theoretically derived parameters have also been included. All the important literature from 1950 to 2000 has been surveyed. Providing in a single volume all essential information on the physical properties of alkali halides, this book will be a valuable reference for solid-state physicists and materials scientists.