Over the past twenty-five years, mathematical concepts associated with geometric phases have come to occupy a central place in our modern understanding of the physics of electrons in solids. These 'Berry phases' describe the global phase acquired by a quantum state as the Hamiltonian is changed. Beginning at an elementary level, this book provides a pedagogical introduction to the important role of Berry phases and curvatures, and outlines their great influence upon many key properties of electrons in solids, including electric polarization, anomalous Hall conductivity, and the nature of the topological insulating state. It focuses on drawing connections between physical concepts and provides a solid framework for their integration, enabling researchers and students to explore and develop links to related fields. Computational examples and exercises throughout provide an added dimension to the book, giving readers the opportunity to explore the central concepts in a practical and engaging way.

Author: David Vanderbilt
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 12/06/2018
Pages: 394
Weight: 2lbs
Size: 10.10h x 7.50w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781107157651

About the Author
Vanderbilt, David: - David Vanderbilt is Board of Governors Professor of Physics at Rutgers University, New Jersey, where he has made significant contributions to computational condensed matter physics. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and was awarded the prestigious Rahman Prize in Computational Physics of the American Physical Society in 2006.