An Introduction to Solid State Many-Body Theory

The aim of this work is not to cover the details of many-body theory or solid state physics, but instead to introduce some basic concepts in both fields at a level suitable for a general audience. To this end I have avoided the use of equations wherever possible. For a more mathematical treatment, see the reading list below.

Sections marked with * are in preparation.

Contents....

1. Classification of Solids
2. Some Basic Ideas about Quantum Mechanics
3. The Many-Body Problem and Density Functional Theory
4. The Quasiparticle Approach *
5. Self Energy in an Extreme-Tight-Binding Model *
6. Conclusions *

I want your comments....

Reading List

• On Introductory Concepts....
  • N.W.Ashcroft and N.D.Mermin, Solid State Physics (Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia, 1976)
• On Density Functional Theory....
  • P.Hohenberg and W.Kohn, Phys. Rev. 136, B864 (1964)
  • W.Kohn and L.J.Sham, Phys. Rev. 140, A1133 (1965)
  • J.P.Perdew and M.Levy, Phys. Rev. Lett. 51, 1884 (1983)
  • L.J.Sham and M.Schlüter, Phys. Rev. Lett. 51, 1888 (1983)
• On Self-Energy and Quasiparticles....
  • L.Hedin, Phys. Rev. 139, A796 (1965)
  • L.Hedin and S.Lundqvist, in Solid State Physics 23, p.1, edited by F.Seitz, D.Turnbull and H.Ehrenreich (Academic, New York, 1969)
  • J.C.Inkson, Many Body Theory of Solids (Plenum, New York, 1984)
• On Surfaces....
  • M.Prutton, Surface Physics (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1984)
  • J.E.Inglesfield, reprinted in Electronic Properties of Surfaces, compiled by M.Prutton (Adam Hilger, Bristol, 1984)
  • R.H.Williams, G.P.Srivastava and I.T.McGovern, reprinted in Electronic Properties of Surfaces, compiled by M.Prutton (Adam Hilger, Bristol, 1984)