Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics

- Basic concepts are emphasized; usually they are intuitively introduced, then more precisely formulated, and compared with correlated concepts.- A plethora of new topics, such as quasicrystals, photonic crystals, GMR, TMR, CMR, high Tc superconductors, Bose-Einstein condensation, etc., are presented with sharp physical insights.- Bond and band approaches are discussed in parallel, breaking the barrier between physics and chemistry.- A highly accessible chapter is included on correlated electronic states -- rarely found in an introductory text.- Introductory chapters on tunneling, mesoscopic phenomena, and quantum-confined nanostructures constitute a sound foundation for nanoscience and nanotechnology.- The text is profusely illustrated with about 500 figures.