This book has been written keeping in mind the guidelines prescribed in the UGC curriculum. It aims to serve as a textbook for MSc (Physics) students of all Indian universities. An attempt has been made in the book to incorporate latest developments in the subjects like Quasi-crystals, Quantum-wells, Super lattices, Quantum Hall effects and Super-conductors. The book deals with symmetry groups, imperfections in solids, lattice vibrations, band theory, Fermi surfaces, magnetic properties, semiconductors (including basic electronic devices), dielectrics and superconductivity (including the recently discovered high Tc superconductors). Emphasis has been laid on the physical concepts of the various topics covered. Solved examples have been interspersed in the text to clarify the underlying physical concepts.
Although the book is written for postgraduate students of physics, it would also serve as a useful reference work to students of chemistry, material sciences and electrical engineering.
