Principles of Condensed Matter Physics

Preface; 1. Overview; 2. Structure and scattering; 3. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; 4. Mean-field theory; 5. Field theories, critical phenomena, and the renormalization group; 6. Generalized elasticity; 7. Dynamics: correlation and response; 8. Hydrodynamics; 9. Topological defects; 10. Walls, kinks and solitons; Glossary; Index.

' ... an important achievement ... among the book's pedagogical features are a wealth of daunting problems, a pithy glossary of intimidating terms and concrete descriptions of experiments and technological applications ... it will strengthen the understanding by students and researchers for a long time to come.' Physics Today ' ... an excellent introduction to the processes by which atoms and molecules become materials and how materials acquire their properties. It is beautifully organized to form the basis of a lecture course.' Science 'The present book is especially welcome at a time when we are witnessing vigorous activity in all fields concerned with 'soft' matter ... It contains a thorough and detailed treatment of all the subjects and is intended also to be suitable as a reference text for active researchers ... This book presents a most fortunate blend of theoretical depth and encyclopaedic grasp of phenomenology, while being written in a pedagogically sound and elegant manner ... a well-written, thorough, modern book on soft condensed matter physics that I wholeheartedly recommend to everybody with an interest in this subject.' Journal of Statistical Physics '... a thoroughly forward-looking modern book which focuses on the ever-expanding area in between traditional condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics ... This is a very well written text which should prove a handy reference ...'. C. C. Matthai, European Journal of Physics