About the Book

The book covers all major aspects of Solid State Physics (Crystal Physics). The approach of the book is unique because it offers thought-provoking ideas about the Physics of Solids, rather than being merely a compilation of research data and statistical figures. The learning design is such that the subject of Crystal Physics is explored in terms of its applicability and not as an abstract collection of concepts. The understanding of the basics is supplemented and supported by a strong mathematical basis and reasoning.
The book is an ideal choice for Ist and IInd year engineering students across India and undergraduate as well as postgraduate students of Physics. Spread over 17 chapters, all important topics have been introduced at an elementary level, which will enable even new students of the subject to gain an insight into the fascinating world of crystals and crystallography. Besides students pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D in crystallography, professionals such as mineralogists, material scientists and solid state chemists will also find the book to be of great practical use.

About the Author

Professor Rajnikant is presently the Head of the Department of Physics and Electronics at the University of Jammu. He did his Ph.D from University of Jammu and specialized in Solid State Physics. He possesses an extensive experience of 21 years in teaching and 27 years in researching the subject. He has been the recipient of Young Scientist Award in Physics-1991 by the State Department of Science and Technology, and was awarded the BOYSCAST fellowship of DST, to carry out his postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford, UK during 1994-1995. As principal investigator, Professor Rajnikant, has successfully accomplished 10 research projects on various aspects of crystallography, including single crystal growth, polymorphism, X-ray structure analysis, hydrogen bonding in solids and so on. He has also successfully guided 35 M.Phil and 15 Ph.D students in crystallography till date. As a lead author, Professor Rajnikant has contributed 136 research papers in journals of international and national repute.

Table of Contents:
Chapter-1: Crystals, Lattices, and Symmetry 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Crystal Lattice 1.3 The Bravais Lattices 1.4 Symmetry in Solids 1.5 Miller Indices 1.6 Point-groups (Crystal-class) Symmetry 1.7 Space Groups 1.8 Crystal structure: Lattice with a Basis 1.9 Some Typical Crystal Structures Chapter-2: Bonding in Solids 2.1 Introduction 2.2 How do the Atoms in a Solid Interact? 2.3 Ionic Bonding 2.4 Covalent Bonding 2.5 Metallic Bonding 2.6 Comparison between Ionic and Covalent Bonding 2.7 Comparison between Ionic and Metallic Bonding 2.8 Hydrogen bonding: What is it and How it Occurs 2.9 Properties of Hydrogen Bonding 2.10 Van der Waals Bonding Chapter-3: X-Rays: Concept, Properties and Reciprocal Lattices 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Production of X-rays 3.3 Types of X-ray Tubes 3.4 Absorption of X-rays 3.5 Absorption and Filtering 3.6 Selection of Radiation 3.7 Laue’s Concept of X-ray Diffraction 3.8 Bragg’s Concept of X-ray Diffraction 3.9 Proof of Bragg’s Equation 3.10 Applications of X-rays 3.11 What Makes X-radiation a Dangerous Phenomenon? 3.12 Some Uses of X-ray Diffraction 3.13 The Reciprocal Lattice 3.14 Properties of Reciprocal Lattice 3.15 Bragg’s Law in Reciprocal Space 3.16 Neutron Diffraction 3.17 Electron Diffraction Chapter-4: Relating Atomic Structure to Some Physical Properties 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Crystallization: General Principle 4.3 Growing Crystals from Solution 4.4 Isomorphs and Polymorphs 4.5 Allotropic Phase Transitions: Changing the Crystal Structure 4.6 Enantiomorphs and Racemates 4.7 Crystal Habit 4.8 Sampling and Crystal Mounting 4.9 Collimation of the Incident X-ray Beam 4.10 Calculating Crystal Density by Floatation Method Chapter-5: Experimental X-ray Diffraction Techniques 5.1 Introduction 5.2. The Laue Method 5.3 The Divergent-Beam Method 5.4 The Oscillation/Rotation Method 5.5 The Weissenberg Method 5.6 The Precession Method 5.7 Computer-Controlled Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer 5.8 X-ray Diffraction from a Polycrystalline Material 5.9 Computer-controlled Powder X-ray Diffractometer Chapter-6: Structure Factor and Fourier Synthesis 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Atomic Scattering Factor 6.3 The Structure Factor 6.4 Fourier Synthesis 6.5 The Effect of Pseudosymmetry on Structure Factor Distribution Chapter-7: The Phase Problem and Techniques of X-ray Structure Determination 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Phase Problem 7.3 Isomorphous Replacement Technique 7.4 The Vector Technique 7.5 The Trial-and-Error Method 7.6 The Direct Methods 7.7 Methods of Structure Refinement 7.8 Derived Results: Geometrical Parameters Chapter-8: Crystal Imperfections: Their Classifications and Characterization 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Imperfections in Solids 8.3 Line Imperfections 8.4 Surface (Plane) Defects 8.5 Etching techniques for Dislocation Characterization 8.6 Electron Microscope in Materials Characterization 8.7 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) 8.8 Transmission Electron Microscope Chapter-9: Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Solids 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Lattice (Atomic) Vibrations 9.3 Lattice Vibrations in a One Dimensional Monoatomic chain 9.4 Lattice Vibrations in a Diatomic Linear Chain 9.5 Measurement of Dispersion Relation 9.6 Quantization of Lattice Vibrations: Concept of Phonons 9.7 Thermal Properties of Solids 9.8 Anharmonic Crystal Interactions 9.9 Normal and Umklapp Processes Chapter-10: An Introduction to Quantum Physics 10.1 Historical Perspective 10.2 Inadequacies of Classic Physics 10.3 Photoelectric Effect 10.4 de Broglie’s Hypothesis of Matter Waves 10.5 Davisson-Germer Experiment 10.6 Waves of Probability 10.7 Mathematical Description of a Wave 10.8 Schrodinger Wave Equation 10.9 Particle in a Box 10.10 The Uncertainty Principle Chapter-11: The Fermi Surface and Fermi Gas 11.1 Definition 11.2 Construction of Brillouin Zones 11.3 The Fermi Surface in Metals 11.4 Measurement of Fermi Surface Shapes and Dimensions Chapter-12: Electrons in Solids 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Classical Models: An Overview 12.3 Some General Properties of Metals 12.4 Electrical Conductivity in Metals 12.5 Matthiesen’s Rule 12.6 Electron Motion: Boltzmann Equation and Relaxation Time 12.7 Drude’s Model 12.8 The Quantized Free Electron Theory (Fermi-Dirac Statistics of Electron Gas) 12.9 Specific Heat of a Degenerate Electron Gas 12.10 The Thermal Conduction 12.11 The Wiedemann-Franz Ratio Chapter-13: The Band Theory of Solids 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Bloch’s Quantum Theory of Electrical Conduction 13.3 Energy Levels in Solids 13.4 Energy Bands in Solids (The Bloch Theorem) 13.5 Electron in a Periodic Potential (The Kronig-Penney Model) 13.6 Electron Velocity (as per Band theory) 13.7 Electron’s Effective Mass (as per Band Theory) 13.8 Classification of Crystalline Solids Chapter-14: Magnetic Properties of Solids 14.1 Historical Perspective and Review of Some Basics 14.2 The Origin of Permanent Magnetic Dipoles 14.3 The Larmor’s Precession 14.4 Classification of Magnetic Materials 14.5 Diamagnetism (Langevin’s Theory) 14.6 Paramagnetism 14.7 Ferromagnetism 14.8 Origin (Theory) of Domains 14.9 Magnetic Hysteresis 14.10 Soft Magnetic Materials 14.11 Hard Magnetic Materials Chapter-15: Dielectric Properties 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Dielectric Constant and Susceptibility 15.3 Induced Polarization 15.4 Internal Fields in Solids 15.5 Clausius-Mossotti Relationship 15.6 Sources of Polarizability 15.7 Dielectric Breakdown 15.8 Piezoelectricity 15.9 Ferroelectricity 15.10 Ferroelectrics: Potential Areas of Applications Chapter-16: Superconductors: Theory and Devices 16.1. Introduction 16.2. Conduction in Semiconductors 16.3. Intrinsic Semiconductors 16.4. Carrier Concentration in Intrinsic Semiconductors 16.5. Extrinsic Semiconductors 16.6. Motion of Carriers in Electric and Magnetic Fields 16.7. Carrier Diffusion: Einstein Relation 16.8. Semiconductor Devices 16.9. The Transistor Chapter-17: Superconductivity 17.1 Superconductivity - The Phenomenon 17.2 Basic Properties of Superconductors 17.3 Thermodynamic Aspects 17.4 London Phenomenology 17.5 BCS Theory of Superconductivity 17.6 The Josephson Effect 17.7 High Temperature Superconductors 17.8 Some Applications of Superconductivity