Introduction to the Physics of Matter: Basic Atomic, Molecular, and Solid-state Physics

This is the second edition of a well-received book. It provides an up-to-date, concise review of essential topics in the physics of matter, from atoms and molecules to solids, including elements of statistical mechanics. It features over 160 completely revised and enhanced figures illustrating the main physical concepts and the fundamental experimental facts, and discusses selected experiments, mainly in spectroscopy and thermodynamics, within the general framework of the adiabatic separation of the motions of electrons and nuclei. The book focuses on what can be described in terms of independent-particle models, providing the mathematical derivations in sufficient detail for readers to grasp the relevant physics involved. The final section offers a glimpse of more advanced topics, including magnetism and superconductivity, sparking readers’ curiosity to further explore the latest developments in the physics of matter.

Nicola Manini is an Associate Professor at the Physics Department of the University of Milan, Italy, where he teaches Structure of Matter and Solid-State Physics. In 1995, he received his PhD in Condensed Matter Theory from SISSA, Trieste. He has worked at Yale University, USA, and at the ESRF in Grenoble, France. He fosters regular research collaborations with SISSA and other Italian and international groups, and his research covers various topics in the theory and simulation of matter, including atomic-scale friction and dissipation; the dynamics of colloids; electronic and vibrational properties of metals, semiconductors, molecular and nanostructured materials; ultracold atomic gases; fullerene C60; geometric phases; and the Jahn-Teller effect.