This book develops the subject from the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The emphasis is on a single statement of the ideas underlying the various approximations that have to be used and care is taken to separate sound arguments from conjecture. This book is written for the student of theoretical physics who wants to work in the field of solids and for the experimenter with a knowledge of quantum theory who is not content to take other people's arguments for granted. The treatment covers the electron theory of metals as well as the dynamics of crystals, including the author's work on the thermal conductivity of crystals which has been previously published in English.

About the Author
Formerly Wykeham Professor of Physics, University of Oxford, and Professor of Physics, University of Birmingham; died 1995.

Reviews
"Professor Peierls has given an excellent treatment of the fundamentals of this subject. A very high degree of clarity is achieved, and the book is remarkably readable ... it will clearly play an important role in the further development of solid state physics." Physics Today
"This book, by one of the foremost authorities in the field, is an excellent and concise summary of many basic aspects of the theory of solids ... it provides numerous penetrating insights and an overall unification of the theory. An outstanding virtue throughout is that the author keeps the physics of the situation always before the reader, despite the considerable complexity of the subject." The Sylvania Technologist



Book Information
ISBN 9780198507819
Author R. E. Peierls
Format Paperback
Page Count 238
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 363g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 157mm * 15mm