Principles of Condensed Matter Physics

Although there are many books on solid state physics and condensed matter, I suspect very few cover the same content as that found in Principles of Condensed Matter Physics by Chaikin and Lubensky. The title is rather misleading as it suggests a survey of the important concepts in condensed matter. In spite of this there is much to commend in this book. It isn't a standard text on condensed matter. Instead we have a book with topics that are of current interest. It is, therefore, a thoroughly forward-looking modern book which focuses on the ever-expanding area in between traditional condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics. For example, ideas about liquid crystals, quasi-crystals and fractal structures are introduced right at the start of the book. The next three chapters deal with some of the basic concepts of thermodynamics, statistical physics and mean field theory and are followed by a quite detailed treatment of critical phenomena and phase transitions. Much of the mystery associated with field theories is removed in this treatment making it accessible to those not well versed in these techniques. Symmetry breaking is the means by which generalized elasticity theory is introduced. This in turn allows a natural progression to a chapter on hydrodynamics. Neither of these areas are normally found in texts on condensed matter physics. I think the chapter on topological defects is particularly well written and is a good introduction for the reader to this increasingly important topic. This is a very well written text which should prove a handy reference for those working in these areas of research. Although it would be difficult to envisage the book being used as a standard text in a graduate course, it would certainly be of great value for graduate students of solid state physics to acquaint themselves with the contents of this book.