Customer Reviews

The Physics of Phonons

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The text is hard to read, lacking rigor and flow of thought. Book is filled with equations, but not in a nice way and not easy to follow.

Let me illustrate the "lack of rigor" by random examples. On the page 90: "...we make a Fourier analysis of the coordinate (u) and momentum (p) variables.". Although it is quite clear that author meant "Fourier transform" instead of "Fourier analysis", this just interrupts a reader.
Or page 93: "The discussion of the crystal Hamiltonian based on the variables X(qb) and P(qb) can be completed by introducing eigenvectors of the normal modes of the system.". Sentence beginning with "To diagonalize/solve..." would be more appropriate. And the confusion of the part "eigenvectors of the normal modes of the system" is to burdening. "normal modes" = "eigenvectors" of appropriate Hamiltonian! Here author was probably referring to the classical Hamiltonian (which is different from aforementioned quantum Hamiltonian).

I ended up quite frustrated by the book and I only manage to read this book up to a half. Even stuff I think I know pretty well, are unrecognizable. I would suggest somewhat older Ziman's book and Srivastava's book could be used as a supplement. Covered content is at least 50% the same, but Ziman's presentation is flawless.

This book saved my physics career. A complete and comprehensive guide, yet enthralling as not many physics books are. A real must for all semiconductor physisists. Buy now, don't pay later.