Topics and Methods in Condensed Matter Theory

I-Introductory Many-Body Physics.- Basic Many-Body Quantum Mechanics.- Adiabatic Switching and Time-Ordered series.- Atomic Shells and Multiplets.- Green’s Functions as Thought Experiments.- Hopping Electron Models: an Appetizer.- Many-body Effects in Electron Spectroscopies.- Symmetry in Quantum Physics.- Group Representations for Physicists.- Simpler Uses of Group Theory.- Product of Representations and Further Physical Applications.- More on Green Function Techniques.- Equations of Motion and Further Developments.- Feynman Diagrams for Condensed Matter Physics.- Many-Body Effects and Further Theory.- Non-Equilibrium Theory.- Non-Perturbative Approaches and Applications.- Some Recursion Techniques with Applications.- Aspects of Nonlinear Optics and Many-Photon Effects.- Selected Exact Results in Many-Body Problems.- Quantum Phases.- Pairing from repulsive interactions.- Algebraic Methods.- Appendices.- Appendix 1: Zero-point Energy in a Pillbox.- Appendix II-Character Tables.- Proof of the Wigner-Eckart Theorem.

From the reviews:
"Cini has prepared an advanced book in a specialized area of quantum physics … . The author has divided the book into five broad topics: many-body physics, symmetry in quantum physics, Green’s function techniques, nonperturbative applications, and exact results in many-body problems. … There are problems at the end of each chapter with solutions. … There are some diagrams to explicate the text and a good index. … Graduate students through professionals." (N. Sadanand, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008)
"This text is aimed at students specialising in condensed matter theory and is structured as an introductory course to the topic. … this text discusses some exact results that can be obtained pertaining to quantum phases and repulsive interactions. Ultimately this book provides an interesting introduction to an area of active research." (M. Foreman, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 50 (2), March-April, 2009)
"This book treats various theoretical topics in condensed matter physics … . This book is aimed mainly at condensed matter physicists who are working in the area of atomic and solid state physics, and who are looking for some systematic methods and numerical algorithms. It can also be of interest for undergraduate students … in quantum physics, operational computation and algebra." (Jean-Yves Fortin, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 c)
"The present book is devoted to condensed matter physics, which includes theoretical background of the theory and their use in applications, i.e. in experiments. … the book is well written, readable and the mathematical treatments are explained in enough detail. Proofs of all the relevant theorems are given. There are a lot of illustrative examples, and relevant problems. … the book provides material for courses in theoretical physics, and it is recommended for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in condensed matter physics." (Farruh Mukhamedov,Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1146, 2008)

Michele Cini is Full Professor in Physics at the University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Italy, since 2000, having joined the university in 1988 as Associate Professor. Dr. Cini graduated in Physics cum laude from Pisa University in 1969. After a period as a research worker in the ENI group, he joined the National Research Council (CNR), "Instituto di Metodologie Avanzate Inorganiche", and was responsible for delivering two official courses for the degree in Physics at the University of L' Aquila. Dr. Cini has been the coordinator of two European ESPRIT projects and the prestigious Italian 'prin' project on Auger spectroscopy of magnetic systems of low dimensionality. He has also been a member of the scientific boards for various conferences. He has authored or co-authored about 150 papers as well as some previous Springer books.

This book provides material for courses in theoretical physics for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in condensed matter, including experimentalists who want a thorough theoretical background; the advanced part should be of interest to research workers too. A good first course in quantum mechanics is assumed. Here a variety of many-body phenomena in condensed matter are discussed, with special attention paid to the understanding of strong correlation effects. This requires a variety of theoretical tools (diagram expansions, groups, recursion methods and more). The text, which arose naturally from teaching, is eminently readable and the mathematical treatments are explained in enough detail to be followed easily. Proofs of all the relevant theorems are provided, but the main emphasis is always on the physical meaning or applicability of the results. Many examples are provided for illustration and also serve as worked problems.
 

Useful supplementary book to solid state science basic textbooks. Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras