Nematic and Cholesteric Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments (Liquid Crystals Series)

Book Description

Liquid crystals allow us to perform experiments that provide insight into fundamental problems of modern physics, such as phase transitions, frustration, elasticity, hydrodynamics, defects, growth phenomena, and optics (linear and non linear). This excellent volume meets the need for an up-to-date text on liquid crystals. Nematic and Cholesteric Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments is a result of personal research and of the graduate lectures given by the authors at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon and the University of Paris VII, respectively. The first part of the book presents historical background, the modern classification of liquid crystals, and mesogenic anatomy; the second part examines liquid crystals with nematic and cholesteric orientational order. Topics include dielectric and magnetic properties, Frederiks transitions and displays, light scattering, flow and electrohydrodynamic instabilities, surface anchoring transitions, interfaces, equilibrium shapes, and the Mullins-Sekerka instability. Smectic and columnar liquid crystals are covered in more detail by the authors in a separate volume, entitled Smectic and Columnar Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments. The presentation is illustrated throughout by simple experiments, some of which were performed in class. Nematic and Cholesteric Liquid Crystals: Concepts and Physical Properties Illustrated by Experiments provides a useful reference intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in liquid crystals, condensed matter physics, and materials science.

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Nonlinear Optics: Basic Concepts
D.L. Mills
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 3540641823

Book Description

The text develops the basic principles that underlie nonlinear optical phenomena in matter, in an approach oriented to the general reader or student with a background in classical electromagnetic theory. It begins with a discussion of linear wave propagation in dispersive media, moves into weak nonlinearities which can be discussed in a pertuberative manner, then examines strong nonlinear effects (solitons, chaos). The emphasis is on the macroscopic description on nonlinear phenomena, within a semi-classical framework. The text is aimed at the student or researcher who is not a specialist in optics, and who wishes to acquire an introduction to the principal concepts as a precursor to the consultation of the specialized literature.

Stereochemistry (Basic Concepts In Chemistry)

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Stereochemistry (Basic Concepts In Chemistry)
David G. Morris
Manufacturer: Wiley-RSC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0471224774

Book Description

Stereochemistry covers the fundamental principles in all aspects of stereochemistry. This concise resource is generously enriched with numerous worked examples. Concentrating on organic chemistry, early chapters in this resourceful publication deal mainly with definitions of terms such as chirality, enantiomers, diastereoisomers and racemisation, complete with suitable examples to illustrate key concepts. Use of a polarimeter and associated definitions are described, together with two different conventions D, L and R, S for specification of configuration. The distinction between conformation and configuration is developed to include assignment onf configurations to di-substituted cyclohexanes and to the decalins.

Asymmetric Organocatalysis: From Biomimetic Concepts to Applications in Asymmetric Synthesis

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Asymmetric Organocatalysis: From Biomimetic Concepts to Applications in Asymmetric Synthesis
Albrecht Berkessel , and Harald Gröger
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3527305173

Book Description

Asymmetric catalysis represents still one of the major challenges in modern organic chemistry. Besides the well-established asymmetric metal-complex-catalysed syntheses and biocatalysis, the use of "pure" organic catalysts turned out to be an additional efficient tool for the synthesis of chiral building blocks. In this handbook, the experienced authors from academia and industry provide the first overview of the important use of such metal-free organic catalysts in organic chemistry. With its comprehensive description of numerous reaction types, e.g., nucleophilic substitution and addition reactions as well as cycloadditions and redox reactions, this book targets organic chemists working in industry and academia, and deserves a place in every laboratory.

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Pictorial Quantum Mechanics!
A Good Glossary for Studying Atomic and Quantum Physics
Best Quantum reference book I've seen

Quanta: A Handbook of Concepts
P. W. Atkins
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Quanta provides a non-mathematical and highly visual account of the concepts of quantum mechanics widely encountered in chemistry and related disciplines. Entries - ordered alphabetically - range in length from one paragraph to several pages, and describe the physical significance of each topic with simplicity and precision. Each entry is extensively cross-referenced and ends with a guide to sources of further information. This exciting new work continues the tradition of the first edition, which quickly established itself among students and teachers as a rich source of clear, concise explanations of quantum concepts. The text has been completely rewritten: all topics have been brought up to date, and there are many more illustrations and numerous new entries. The book will be invaluable to students for its brief non-mathematical summaries of key concepts, to instructors as a source of explanations, illustrations, and references, and to all practising scientists searching for an interesting, accessible account of any aspect of quantum chemistry.

Customer Reviews:

Pictorial Quantum Mechanics!.......2004-11-20

I have both editions of this wonderful book. I love them.

An alphabetized glossary of quantum-mechanical terms, each with its own quite unique diagram.

Dr. P. W. Atkins explain Molecular Quantum Mechanics succinctly. He relates this arcane art to the wold of molecules maing it refresingly real.

Buy it, I promise you will treasure it.

--Daniel Tebar [Quantum Evangelist -crucified]

A Good Glossary for Studying Atomic and Quantum Physics.......2000-04-01

Atkins has written an alternative approach to revealing quantum physics, using no math, pictorial representations, and concise explanations, while still containing the common equations and formulas (in easy referenced boxed figures); he has offered a fresh text, in the style of a dictioanry, which is a good reference for a student and a practical handbook for the practitioner or teacher. This is a good (and much needed) addition to the pedagogy in the field. But, it could have been even better if; it had more material on Nuclear and Solid State physics, substituted the questions (found after each definition) for examples and/or worked out problems, and included a quick refernce by catagory.

Best Quantum reference book I've seen.......2000-04-01

I am a physics graduate student and I constantly read quantum physics books as this is my prefered field. For this reason I need quantum reference books for those hard-to-grasp concepts. I recently bought Quanta: a handbook of concetps from P.W. Atkins and let me tell you this one is the best. This book explains with simple words how most things work in the quantum world without having to resort to complex mathematical equations and in a very visual way. In comparasion to Q is for Quantum from John Gribin, this book is way much better. I strongly recomend it. wrhernandez@hotmail.com

The Theory of Magnetism Made Simple: An Introduction to Physical Concepts and to Some Useful mathematical methods

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Good review
Not What Is Expected

The Theory of Magnetism Made Simple: An Introduction to Physical Concepts and to Some Useful mathematical methods
Daniel C. Mattis
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9812386718

Product Description

This new version of a classic updates much of the material in earlier editions, including the first chapter, on the history of the field. Important modifications reflect major discoveries of the past decades. A historical perspective is maintained throughout. The reader is drawn into the process of discovery: starting with a phenomenon, finding plausible explanations and competing theories and finally, the solution. The theory of magnetism is practically a metaphor for theoretical physics. The very first quantum many-body theory (Bethes ansatz) was devised for magnetic chains, just as mean-field theory was invented a century ago by Weiss to explain Curies Law. The first two chapters of this book are immensely readable, taking us from prehistory to the spin valves" of the most recent past. Topics in subsequent chapters include: angular momenta and spin (Chapter 3), quantum theory of simple systems, followed by increasingly technical insights into ordered and random systems, thermal fluctuations, phase transitions, chaos and the like. Contemporary developments in nanotechnology now seek to take advantage of the electrons spin as well as of its charge. The time is not far off when nano-circuits made entirely of silicon exhibit such many-body properties as superconductivity or ferromagnetism without any superconducting materials or magnetic ions being present. The reader of this book will be prepared for such exotic twenty-first century applications. Daniel C Mattis, BS, MS, PhD, Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), is a frequent lecturer at research institutions and the author of several textbooks and numerous research articles. His expertise includes many-body theory, electrical conductivity, quantum theory of magnetism and most recently, nanotechnology. Prof. Mattis is on the editorial panel for high-temperature superconductivity of the International Journal of Modern Physics B and Modern Physics Letters B, both published by World Scientific. Currently serving as Professor in the Physics department at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, at various times he has been visiting Professor at Yale University (New Haven), State University of New York (Buffalo), Temple University (Philadelphia), and served as Wei-Lun Visiting Professor" at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A founding member of the Few-Body Physics" section of the APS, he has also served as Chair of the standing committee of the! APS for the International Freedom of Scientists."

Customer Reviews:

Good review.......2007-01-23

This book is a good review on this subject. In starting the book with a brief history of the magnetism, the author shows in a very soft way how important the Quantum Mechanics is to this subject. There are very good examples for each section and what there is most recent in this issue. Unfortunately, some important topics are treated in a very superficial way. As an example is the renormalization group which has an enormous application in magnetism. Despite that, this book would be a good choice to a course on introduction to magnetism.

Not What Is Expected.......2007-01-01

The "made simple" part of the title is completely misleading. Its is not at all simple. Not at all at an introductry level.

The chapter on angular momentum has many "trivial" mistakes. For example, he writes J|Y) = (h-bar)m|Y) and calls "m the eigenvalue". But it is the "(h-bar)m" that is the eignevalue and not just "m".

A little later he writes that he will from this point on use units in which h-bar = 1. O.K. But then he continue to write in h-bar all over the place.

This book could use a good technical editor.

And, again, it is not a "made simple" book unless you already know the material.

Basic Concepts of Environmental Chemistry, Second Edition

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Basic Concepts of Environmental Chemistry, Second Edition
Des W. Connell
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1566706769

Book Description

Incorporating advances made since the 1997 publication of the first edition, this book includes material on toxic metals, atmospheric pollution, radionuclides, acid drainage water, and risk assessment. It addresses topics such as polarity, partition behavior, fugacity, and solubility as well as the basic chemistry of compounds and processes in the environment. The author begins with coverage of the basic properties of chemicals in terms of polarity, water solubility, and vapor pressure, followed by chapters on environmental transformations and toxicity. Expanding on these fundamentals, he describes contaminants in the environment and pollution processes in the air, water and soil environments.

Concepts in Physical Chemistry (Oxford Chemistry Guides, 1)

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Really helpful

Concepts in Physical Chemistry (Oxford Chemistry Guides, 1)
Peter Atkins
Manufacturer: W. H. Freeman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Survival Guide for Physical Chemistry

ASIN: 0716729288

Customer Reviews:

Really helpful.......1999-04-26

Like any good dictionary type of book, this little volume can be of great help to students and professionals alike. Like any other book by Atkins, be assured that the quality is very, very high. And, for a chemist, it's a definite plus that this friendly guide was made to withstand the rigors of the laboratory table; it will last you a lifetime.

Quantum Chemistry Workbook: Basic Concepts and Procedures in the Theory of the Electronic Structure of Matter

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Quantum Chemistry Workbook: Basic Concepts and Procedures in the Theory of the Electronic Structure of Matter
Jean-Louis Calais
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

A comprehensive, practical examination of the basic principles and inner mechanics of matter . . .

Moving from pure principles to real applications, the Quantum Chemistry Workbook is a step-by-step study guide to the inner workings of nature's fundamental systems: free atoms, small molecules, polymers, and crystals. Beginning with a short, clear summary of the basics of quantum mechanics, the Workbook offers a chapter-by-chapter exposition in a highly interactive exercise and question format that allows readers to work through the main concepts discussed. Not simply a conventional workbook, the Quantum Chemistry Workbook encourages discovery and original reflection, allowing users, through its rigorous give and take, to discover the intriguing connections hidden within the science. The Workbook includes:

A comparative overview of how basic concepts and principles actually work in free atoms, small molecules, polymers, and crystals
A practical look at the approximation level of a one-electron type
A complete examination of momentum space, with numerous conceptual illustrations
Atomic units used throughout

Book Description

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics provides undergraduate chemistry students with a grounding in both classical and statistical thermodynamics. Thermodynamic quantities and relationships are introduced and developed in a coherent way, enabling students to apply thermodynamic analysis to chemical problems with confidence. Each stage in the development is well illustrated with examples. The book aims to help students understand energy, its different forms and transformations, and the key rold of entropy, as applied to chemical systems, addressing such questions as:

How much work is performed, and how much heat transfer occurs, during chemical processes and reactions, and how do they depend on temperature?
How is it possible for endothermic processes to occur spontaneously, and will a given reaction occurs spontaneously?
What determines the equilibrium between phases?
How do temperature and pressure affect equilibrium?
What is the meaning of entropy?
How are macroscopic thermodynamic properties related to microscopic energy levels?

Book Description

This work focuses on analyzing and presenting solutions for a wide range of stochastic problems that are encountered in applied mathematics, probability, physics, engineering, finance, and economics. The approach used reduces the gap between the mathematical and engineering literature. Stochastic problems are defined by algebraic, differential or integral equations with random coefficients and/or input. However, it is the type, rather than the particular field of application, that is used to categorize these problems.

An introductory chapter outlines the types of stochastic problems under consideration in this book and illustrates some of their applications. A user friendly, systematic exposition unfolds as follows: The essentials of probability theory, random processes, stochastic integration, and Monte Carlo simulation are developed in chapters 2--5. The Monte Carlo method is used extensively to illustrate difficult theoretical concepts and solve numerically some of the stochastic problems in chapters 6--9.

Key features:

* Computational skills developed as needed to solve realistic stochastic problems

* Classical mathematical notation used, and essential theoretical facts boxed

* Numerous examples from applied sciences and engineering

* Complete proofs given; if too technical, notes clarify the idea and/or main steps

* Problems at the end of each chapter reinforce applications; hints given.

* Good bibliography at the end of every chapter

* Comprehensive index

This work is unique, self-contained, and far from a collection of facts and formulas. The analytical and numerical methods approach for solving stochastic problems may be used for self-study by a variety of researchers, and in the classroom by first year graduate students.

Customer Reviews:

Very dense. Proof-oriented. Excellent use of measure theory........2006-06-11

This book is a lot denser than the pretty picture on the cover and the presence of occasional graphs would lead you to expect. It's like 2-3 difficult graduate courses and a bunch of more advanced material for reference all crammed into one place.

The exercises are mostly proof-oriented and would be good preparation for someone looking to do research in this field. I find this book doesn't exactly fit its subtitle of "Applications in Science and Engineering". It is primarily a mathematics book that acknowledges and sometimes discusses applications as motivation for the material. I think it would be more useful to a mathematician than to an engineer or scientist.

My favorite aspect of the book is its no-nonsense treatment of measure-theoretic probability. The book presents the bare minimum necessary for its use, and leaves out some inessential proofs (giving references). I think this is a great way to learn measure theory: first develop an intuitive sense of it and an appreciation of its usefulness, and then you can go back and learn it rigorously from another book. The book provides enough background that you don't need to look elsewhere in order to understand the measure theory used in the text.

I've found a few mistakes in the book, which I find annoying, because I would not trust myself to catch any mistakes beyond maybe chapter 3.

Overall though, I think this is an excellent book. It is about as clear as you can get on the material it covers without watering it down. Lastly, this book covers so much material, most people will not be able to exhaust its contents, and will find it useful as a reference.

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