Crystal Properties via Group Theory

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 244 pages
• Published by: Cambridge University Press January 26, 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 052141945X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0521419451
• Book Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Review
' crystal symmetry and the point groups, representation theory, the character tables and the concepts of symmetry coordinates and of similarity of orientation are explained at once concisely and with great clarity, an all too rare combination for which every reader will be grateful.' P. W. Hawkes, Ultramicroscopy 'This book will be of interest to researchers in solid-state physics and materials science, and will also be suitable as a text for graduate students in physics and engineering taking courses in solid-state physics.' Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie

Product Description
This book deals with the effect of crystal symmetry in determining the tensor properties of crystals. Although this is a well-established subject, the author provides a new approach using group theory and, in particular, the method of symmetry coordinates, which has not been used in any previous book. The author presents applications to technologically important phenomena as diverse as the electro-optic, piezoelectric, photoelastic, piezomagnetic, and piezoresistance effects, as well as magnetothermoelectric power and third-order elastic constants. He also gives attention to "special magnetic properties", i.e., those that require the concepts of time reversal and magnetic symmetry--an important subject not always covered in other books in this area. This book will be of interest to researchers in solid state physics and materials science, and will also be suitable as a text for graduate students in physics and engineering taking courses in solid state physics.

Reader Reviews
I, recently, borrowed this book from the library and read it. It reminds me the book by Banvangataman (I hope I spelled the name right, I am sorry if I didn't) which also introduces the reader to the application of group theory to crystal physics. The scope of the book is adequate to familiarize the reader with all the main aspects of Crystal Physics and, therefore, the author warrants proper credit for having done a good job. I shall not go into detail of the chapters covered in the book since the treatment is, in my opinion, standard. The explanations and comments throughout the text are to the point. The presentation is clear and easy to comprehend. My only concern about this book is that it lacks numerical examples and solved problems. Group theory and even its applications are very abstract to fully grasp. As a result, the uninitiated reader can find it very difficult to study this subject without reviewing a lot of examples and without working on problems. Regrettably, the book lacks to fulfill the task of presenting the topics to the reader with solid "real life" examples. Hence, this book would not be a very useful textbook. If you are particularily interested in Crystal Physics it might be a good idea to add Dr. Nowotny's book to your collection. On the other hand, if you are planning on learning Crystal Physics via Group Theory, I would suggest you borrow the book from a library, thoroughly inspect it and, then decide on the purchase.