Optical Properties of Solids: An Introductory Textbook

The subtitle “An Introductory Textbook” accurately describes the first half of the book, as it thoroughly but very tersely develops electromagnetic theory via Maxwell’s relations and the basic quantum theory of light and matter. The final portion of the book covers seven variations of electron microscopy and tomography, and again does so very tersely.
 
Nearly all topics in the book are only sketched. There are no examples, and although there are problem sets concluding each chapter, no answers or solutions are provided. Consequently, the author’s thought that the book can be used for self-study is unrealistic. However, a college professor augmenting the text can use it successfully in an optics course.
 
Review by Albert C. Claus, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Loyola University, Chicago

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