Books are seldom finished. At best, they are abandoned. The second edition of "Electronic Properties of Materials" has been in use now for about seven years. During this time my publisher gave me ample opportunities to update and improve the text whenever the book was reprinted. There were about six of these reprinting cycles. Eventually, however, it became clear that substantially more new material,had to be added to account for the stormy developments which occurred in the field of electrical, optical, and magnetic materials. In particular, expanded sections on fiat-panel displays (liquidcrystals, electroluminescence devices, field emission displays, and plasma displays) were added. Further, the recent developments in blue- and green-emitting LED's and in photonics are included. Magnetic storage devices also underwent rapid development. Thus, magneto-optical memories, magneto-resistance devices, and new magnetic materials needed to be covered. The sections on dielectric properties, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, electrostric-tion, and thermoelectric properties have been expanded. Of course, the entire text was critically reviewed, updated, and improved. However, the most extensive change I undertook was the conversion of all equations to SI-units throughout. In most of the world and in virtually all of the interna-tional scientific journals use of this system of units is required. If today's students do not learn to utilize it, another generation is "lost" on this matter.In other words, it is important that students become comfortable with SI units.

Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
PART I Fundamentals of Electron Theory
CHAPTER 1 Introduction
CHAPTER 2 The Wave-Particle Duality
CHAPTER 3 The Schrodinger Epuation
CHAPTER 4 Solution of the Schrodinger Epuation for Four Specific Problems
CHAPTER 5 Energy Bands in Crystals
CHAPTER 6 Electrons in a Crystal
Part II Electrical Properties of Materials
CHAPTER 7 Electrical Conduction in Metals and Alloys
CHAPTER 8 Semiconductors
CHAPTER 9 Electrical Properties of Polymers,Ceramics,Dielectrics,and Amorphous Materials
PART III Optical Properties of Materials
CHAPTER 10 The Optical Constants
CHAPTER 11 Atomistic Theory of the Optical Properties
CHAPTER 12 Quantum Mechanical Treatment of the Optical Properties
CHAPTER 13 Applications
PART IV Magnetic Properties of Materials

Books are seldom finished. At best, they are abandoned. The second edition of "Electronic Properties of Materials" has been in use now for about seven years. During this time my publisher gave me ample opportunities to update and improve the text whenever the book was reprinted. There were about six of these reprinting cycles. Eventually, however, it became clear that substantially more new material,had to be added to account for the stormy developments which occurred in the field of electrical, optical, and magnetic materials. In particular, expanded sections on flat-panel displays (liquid crystals, electroluminescence devices, field emission displays, and plasma displays) were added. Further, the recent developments in blue- and green-emitting LED's and in photonics are included. Magnetic storage devices also underwent rapid development. Thus, magneto-optical memories, magneto-resistance devices, and new magnetic materials needed to be covered. The sections on dielectric properties, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, electrostriction, and thermoelectric properties have been expanded. Of course, the entire text was critically reviewed, updated, and improved. However, the most extensive change I undertook was the conversion of all equations to SI-units throughout. In most of the world and in virtually all of the international scientific journals use of this system of units is required. If today's students do not learn to utilize it, another generation is "lost" on this matter. In other words, it is important that students become comfortable with SI units. .
If plagiarism is the highest form of flattery, then I have indeed been flattered. Substantial portions of the first edition have made up verbatim most of another text by a professor in Madras without giving credit to where it first appeared. In addition, pirated copies of the first and second editions have surfaced in Asian countries. Further, a translation into Korean appeared. Of course, I feel that one should respect the rights of the owner of intellectual property. ..
I am grateful for the many favorable comments and suggestions promulgated by professors and students from the University of Florida and other schools who helped to improve the text. Dr. H. Rfifer from Wacker Siltronic AG has again appraised me of many recent developments in wafer fabrication. Professor John Reynolds (University of Florida) educated me on the current trends in conducting polymers. Drs. Regina and Gerd Miiller (Agilent Corporation) enlightened me on recent LED developments. Professor Paul Holloway (University of Florida) shared with me some insights in phosphors and fiat-panel displays. Professor Volkrnar Gerold (MPI Stuttgan) was always available when help was needed. My thanks go to all of them. ...
Gainesville, Florida Rolf E. Hummel
October 2000