Introduction to Crystal Growth and Characterization

Now in its second edition, this continues to serve as an ideal textbook for introductory courses on materials characterization, based on the author's experience in teaching advanced undergraduate and postgraduate university students. The new edition retains the successful didactical concept of introductions at the beginning of chapters, exercise questions and an online solution manual. In addition, all the sections have been thoroughly revised, updated and expanded, with two major new topics (electron backscattering diffraction and environmental scanning electron microscopy), as well as fifty additional questions – in total about 20% new content. The first part covers commonly used methods for microstructure analysis, including light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, as well as scanning probe microscopy. The second part of the book is concerned with techniques for chemical analysis and introduces X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, fluorescence X-ray spectroscopy and such popular surface analysis techniques as photoelectron and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. This section concludes with the two most important vibrational spectroscopies (infra-red and Raman) and the increasingly important thermal analysis. The theoretical concepts are discussed with a minimal involvement of mathematics and physics, and the technical aspects are presented with the actual measurement practice in mind. Making for an easy-to-read text, the book never loses sight of its intended audience.

This second edition of Introduction to Private Equity is more than an update, it reflects the dramatic changes which have affected an industry which is evolving rapidly, internationalizing and maturing fast. What is recognized as a critical yet grounded guide to the private equity industry blends academic rigour with practical experience. It provides a clear, synthetic and critical perspective of the industry from a professional who has worked at many levels within the industry; including insurance, funds of funds, funds and portfolio companies. The book approaches the private equity sector top-down, to provide a sense of its evolution and how the current situation has been built. It then details the interrelations between investors, funds, fund managers and entrepreneurs. At this point, the perspective shifts to bottom-up, how a private business is valued, how transactions are processed and the due diligence issues to consider before moving ahead. Introduction to Private Equity, Second Edition covers the private equity industry as a whole, putting its recent developments (such as secondary markets, crowdfunding, venture capital in emerging markets) into perspective. The book covers its organization, governance and function, then details the various segments within the industry, including Leveraged Buy-Outs, Venture Capital, Mezzanine Financing, Growth Capital, Distressed Debt, Turn-Around Capital, Funds of Funds and beyond. Finally, it offers a framework to anticipate and understand its future developments. This book provides a balanced perspective on the corporate governance challenges affecting the industry and draws perspectives on the evolution of the sector, following a major crisis.

An invaluable introduction to nanomaterials and their applications Offering the unique approach of applying traditional physics concepts to explain new phenomena, Introduction to Nanomaterials and Devices provides readers with a solid foundation on the subject of quantum mechanics and introduces the basic concepts of nanomaterials and the devices fabricated from them. Discussion begins with the basis for understanding the basic properties of semiconductors and gradually evolves to cover quantum structures—including single, multiple, and quantum wells—and the properties of nanomaterial systems, such as quantum wires and dots. Written by a renowned specialist in the field, this book features: An introduction to the growth of bulk semiconductors, semiconductor thin films, and semiconductor nanomaterials Information on the application of quantum mechanics to nanomaterial structures and quantum transport Extensive coverage of Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein stastistics An in-depth look at optical, electrical, and transport properties Coverage of electronic devices and optoelectronic devices Calculations of the energy levels in periodic potentials, quantum wells, and quantum dots Introduction to Nanomaterials and Devices provides essential groundwork for understanding the behavior and growth of nanomaterials and is a valuable resource for students and practitioners in a field full of possibilities for innovation and invention.

These proceedings are designed to provide a forum that integrates research in characterization and modeling to advance the science of ceramic/composite sintering. Densification, shape deformation, and microstructure evolution during sintering is addressed.

An easily accessible introduction to over three centuries of innovations in geometry Praise for the First Edition “. . . a welcome alternative to compartmentalized treatments bound to the old thinking. This clearly written, well-illustrated book supplies sufficient background to be self-contained.” —CHOICE This fully revised new edition offers the most comprehensive coverage of modern geometry currently available at an introductory level. The book strikes a welcome balance between academic rigor and accessibility, providing a complete and cohesive picture of the science with an unparalleled range of topics. Illustrating modern mathematical topics, Introduction to Topology and Geometry, Second Edition discusses introductory topology, algebraic topology, knot theory, the geometry of surfaces, Riemann geometries, fundamental groups, and differential geometry, which opens the doors to a wealth of applications. With its logical, yet flexible, organization, the Second Edition: • Explores historical notes interspersed throughout the exposition to provide readers with a feel for how the mathematical disciplines and theorems came into being • Provides exercises ranging from routine to challenging, allowing readers at varying levels of study to master the concepts and methods • Bridges seemingly disparate topics by creating thoughtful and logical connections • Contains coverage on the elements of polytope theory, which acquaints readers with an exposition of modern theory Introduction to Topology and Geometry, Second Edition is an excellent introductory text for topology and geometry courses at the upper-undergraduate level. In addition, the book serves as an ideal reference for professionals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the topic.

This first textbook on both micro- and nanooptics introduces readers to the technological development, physical background and key areas. The opening chapters on the physics of light are complemented by chapters on refractive and diffractive optical elements. The internationally renowned authors present different methods of lithographic and nonlithographic fabrication of microoptics and introduce the characterization and testing of microoptics. The second part of the book is dedicated to optical microsystems and MEMS, optical waveguide structures and optical nanostructures, including photonic crystals and metamaterials. Each chapter includes exercises illustrating a sample approach to new and complex topics, making the textbook suitable for lectures on optics as part of a physics or electrical engineering course.

Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology explains nanotechnology to an audience that does not necessarily have a scientific background. It covers all aspects, including the new areas of biomedical applications and the use of nanotechnology to probe the «quantum vacuum.» After discussing the present state of the art in nanotechnology, the book makes estimates of where these technologies are going and what will be possible in the future.

Based on the successful multi-edition book “The Physics of Vibrations and Waves” by John Pain, the authors carry over the simplicity and logic of the approach taken in the original first edition with its focus on the patterns underlying and connecting so many aspects of physical behavior, whilst bringing the subject up-to-date so it is relevant to teaching in the 21st century. The transmission of energy by wave propagation is a key concept that has applications in almost every branch of physics with transmitting mediums essentially acting as a continuum of coupled oscillators. The characterization of these simple oscillators in terms of three parameters related to the storage, exchange, and dissipation of energy forms the basis of this book. The text moves naturally on from a discussion of basic concepts such as damped oscillations, diffraction and interference to more advanced topics such as transmission lines and attenuation, wave guides, diffusion, Fourier series, and electromagnetic waves in dielectrics and conductors. Throughout the text the emphasis on the underlying principles helps readers to develop their physics insight as an aid to problem solving. This book provides undergraduate students of physics and engineering with the mathematical tools required for full mastery of the concepts. With worked examples presented throughout the text, as well as the Problem sets concluding each chapter, this textbook will enable students to develop their skills and measure their understanding of each topic step-by-step. A companion website is also available, which includes solutions to chapter problems and PowerPoint slides. Review of “The Physics of Vibrations and Waves 6e“ This is an excellent textbook, full of interesting material clearly explained and fully worthy of being studied by future contributors …" Journal of Sound and Vibration

The book presents nanoscience and nanotechnology to a broad audience that does not necessarily have a scientific background. This book starts with the fundamental physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and nanostructures, and discusses how these special properties can be manipulated to produce high-performance materials and devices. In the following chapters, the scope is broadened to cover naturally occurring nanoparticles and artificially-engineered carbon nanoparticles, their mechanical properties, and their importance to the rest of nanotechnology. The book also covers the two design ideologies for manufacturing nanostructures, the bottom-up and top-down methods, and discusses how these two can be combined to allow for the imaging, probing and manipulation of nanostructures. The remainder of the book surveys the current state of nanotechnology, including the use of single-nanoparticle devices in data storage, electronics, optics, and solar power; advances in nanoparticle manufacturing and biotechnology that can lead to powerful new cancer treatments; and the use of nanotechnology to study the “quantum vacuum”.

A well-balanced introduction to probability theory and mathematical statistics Featuring updated material, An Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Third Edition remains a solid overview to probability theory and mathematical statistics. Divided intothree parts, the Third Edition begins by presenting the fundamentals and foundationsof probability. The second part addresses statistical inference, and the remainingchapters focus on special topics. An Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Third Edition includes: A new section on regression analysis to include multiple regression, logistic regression, and Poisson regression A reorganized chapter on large sample theory to emphasize the growing role of asymptotic statistics Additional topical coverage on bootstrapping, estimation procedures, and resampling Discussions on invariance, ancillary statistics, conjugate prior distributions, and invariant confidence intervals Over 550 problems and answers to most problems, as well as 350 worked out examples and 200 remarks Numerous figures to further illustrate examples and proofs throughout An Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Third Edition is an ideal reference and resource for scientists and engineers in the fields of statistics, mathematics, physics, industrial management, and engineering. The book is also an excellent text for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level students majoring in probability and statistics.