Giving equal weight to theory and experimental data, this volume covers the atomistic properties of solids as determined by crystal structure, interatomic forces and atomic displacements influenced by the variables of temperature, stress and electric fields.

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.

Describes the properties of solids in a comprehensive way Provides information on crystallographic specificity of various kinds of material Covers both the experimental and the theoretical approach The large number of tables and figures helps in understanding

Autorentext
Dinker B. Sirdeshmukh taught physics for nearly four decades, first at Osmania University and later at Kakatiya University, Warangal. He was Fulbright Visiting Professor at the University of Rhode Island, USA, and has been Emeritus Professor at the Kakatiya University. Prof. Sirdeshmukh is actively engaged in research for close to 50 years in several branches of Solid State Physics. He has authored about 120 research publications including two review articles in Journal of Materials Science. He has authored two books. L. Sirdeshmukh was educated at the Osmania University and earned a Ph.D in Spectroscopy. She taught physics for more than three decades at the Kakatiya University. Her research interests are in spectroscopy and dielectric properties of materials. She has published about 80 papers and she was the guest editor of a special issue of the Bulletin of Materials Science. She co-authored a book with Prof. Sirdeshmukh. K.G. Subhadra has been teaching physics at the Kakatiya University for over three decades. Her research interests are in X-ray crystallography and mechanical properties of solids. She has published about fifty papers and has co-authored two books with Prof. D.B. Sirdeshmukh. She has participated in a number of conferences and 3 of her papers were chosen for best presentation awards.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Crystal growth.- Crystallography.- Diffraction of radiation by crystals.- Crystal structure determination.- Cohesion.- Tensor nature of crystal properties.- Mechanical properties.- Thermal properties.- Lattice vibrations.- Dielectric properties.- Pyro-, Piezo- and ferroelectricity.- Optical properties of insulators.- Defects in crystals: I Point defects.- Defects in crystals: II Dislocations.- The other crystalline states (quasi crystals, nano crystals, polycrystals, thin films, liquid crystals).