Statistical Mechanics of Solids (Monographs on the Physics and Chemistry of Materials)

This monograph, suitable for use as an advanced text, presents the statistical mechanics of solids from the perspective of the material properties of the solid state. Statistical mechanics is developed as a tool for understanding properties, rather than for its own sake. The book is therefore accessible to a wide audience of students and professionals in materials science and solid state physics and chemistry. In addition to the fundamentals of statistical mechanics and particle statistics, topics covered include the theory of the harmonic crystal, the theory of free electrons in metals and semiconductors, electron transport, alloy ordering, magnetism, phase transformations, surfaces and polymers, among others. Each chapter includes useful exercises to illustrate topics covered in that chapter.