The rare earths play a unique role in science. These seventeen related elements afford a panoply of subtle variations deriving from the systematic development of their electronic configurations, allowing a test of theory with excellent resolution. In contrast they find widespread use in even the most mundane processes such as steel making, for polishing materials and gasoline cracking catalysts. In between are exotic uses such as TV screen phosphors, lasers, high strength permanent magnets and chemical probes. This multi-volume handbook covers the entire rare earth field in an integrated manner. Each chapter is a comprehensive up-to-date, critical review of a particular segment of the field. The work offers the researcher and graduate student alike, a complete and thorough coverage of this fascinating field.

The structural phase transition is one of the most fundamental problems in solid state physics. Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides provide us with a most exciting area for the study of structural phase transitions that are associated with the charge density wave (CDW). A large variety of structural phase transitions, such as commensurate and incommensurate transitions, and the physical proper ties related to the formation of a CDW, have been an object of intense study made for many years by methods employing modem microscopic techniques. Rather recently, efforts have been devoted to the theoretical understanding of these experimental results. Thus, McMillan, for example, has developed an elegant phenomenological theory on the basis of the Landau free energy expansion. An extension of McMillan's theory has provided a successful understanding of the successive phase transitions observed in the IT- and 2H-compounds. In addition, a microscopic theory of lattice instability, lattice dynamics, and lattice distortion in the CDW state of the transition-metal dichalcogenides has been developed based on their electronic structures. As a result, the driving force of the CDW formation in the IT- and 2H-compounds has become clear. Furthermore, the effect of lattice fluctuations on the CDW transition and on the anomalous behavior of various physical properties has been made clear microscopically."

During the last fifteen years the field of the investigation of glasses has experienced a period of extremely rapid growth, both in the development of new theoretical ap proaches and in the application of new experimental techniques. After these years of intensive experimental and theoretical work our understanding of the structure of glasses and their intrinsic properties has greatly improved. In glasses we are con fronted with the full complexity of a disordered medium. The glassy state is characterised not only by the absence of any long-range order; in addition, a glass is in a non-equilibrium state and relaxation processes occur on widely different time scales even at low temperatures. Therefore it is not surprising that these complex and novel physical properties have provided a strong stimulus for work on glasses and amorphous systems. The strikingly different properties of glasses and of crystalline solids, e. g. the low temperature behaviour of the heat capacity and the thermal conductivity, are based on characteristic degrees of freedom described by the so-called two-level systems. The random potential of an amorphous solid can be represented by an ensemble of asymmetric double minimum potentials. This ensemble gives rise to a new class of low-lying excitations unique to glasses. These low-energy modes arise from tunneling through a potential barrier of an atom or molecule between the two minima of a double-well."

This new volume in the series Physics and Chemistry of Materials with Layered Structures satisfies the need for a comprehensive review of the progress made in the decade 1972-1982 in the field of the electronic properties of layer compounds. Some recent theoretical and experimental developments are highlighted by authori tative physicists active in current research. The previous books of this series covering similar topics are volumes 3 and 4. The present review is mainly intended to fulfill the gap up to 1982 and part of 1983. I am indebted to all the authors for their friendly co-operation and continuous effort in preparing the contributions in their own fields of competence. I am sure that both the expertise scientists and the beginners in the field of the electronic properties of layered materials will find this book a valuable tool for their research work. Warm thanks are due to Prof. E. Mooser, General Editor of the series, for his constant and authoritative advice. * * * This book has been conceived as a tribute to Prof. Franco Bassani to whom the Italian tradition in the field of layer compounds, as well as in other fields of solid state physics, owes much. The authors of this review have all benefited at some time of their professional life from close cooperation with him. Istituto di Struttura della Materia, VINCENZO GRASSO Universitd di Messina IX V Grasso (ed.). Electronic Structure and Electronic Transitions in Layered Materials. ix."

There is no doubt that in the development of the Physics and Chemistry of Solids during the last fifteen years, the very important place taken by low-dimensional compounds will be remembered as a major event. Dealing very widely at the beginning with two-dimensional structures and intercalation chemistry, this theme progressively evolved as the synthesis of one-dimensional conductors increased, along with the observation of their remarkable properties. Beyond the classical separation of the traditional disciplines, essential progress has stemmed each time from the concerted efforts of, and overlapping between, chemists, experimental physicists, and theoreticians. This book is a synthetic approach which aims to retrace these united efforts. The observation and characterization of charge density waves in their static or dynamic aspects have been the main points to attract the interest of researchers. Two broad categories of compounds have been the material basis of these observa tions: transition-metal polychalcogenides and either condensed-cluster phases or bronze-type compounds. These families are referred to throughout the various chapters of this book, thus illustrating the continuous progress of concepts in this domain and, at the same time, providing the first synthetic and exhaustive view of this group of materials."

This volume presents a sequence of articles which describe the theoretical treat ments of investigating the fundamental features in the electronic structures and properties of typical quasi-one-dimensional solids; organic conductor TTF-TCNQ, polyacetylene, metallic and superconducting polymer (SN)n and linear chain chal cogenides and halides of transition elements including NbSe3' The aim of this volume is not to present an exhaustive review but rather to touch on a selective class of problems which appear to be fundamental for typical quasi-one-dimensional solids. Thus the topics in this volume are rather confined to the key basic properties of quasi-one-dimensional systems. The quasi-one-dimensional solids are one of the most extensively investigated subjects in current physics, chemistry and materials science. These materials are unique in attracting a broad range of scientists, chemists, experimental and theore tical physicists, materials scientists and engineers. In 1954 Frohlich constructed a theory of superconductivity based on a one-dimensional model of moving charge density waves. In 1955 Peierls predicted that anyone-dimensional metal is unstable against the distortion of a periodic lattice so that a metal-nonmetal transition occurs at a certain temperature for a one-dimensional metal. According to these theories a gap is opened at the Fermi surfaces of one-dimensional conductors at low tempera tures and the charge density wave is created in connection with the occurrence of the gap."

The close relationship between experimentalists and theorists whether solid state chemists or physicists has, in the last few years, inspired much research in the field of materials with quasi one-dimensional structures.

Part II of this two-volume set deals with the experimental treatment of pseudo-one-dimensional conductors. Included are contributions on platinum chains, (SN)x and (SNBry)x, the optical properties of 1-D inorganic metals, CDW transport in transition metal chalcogenides, and a lattice dynamical study of transition metal trichalcogenides.

The close relationship between experimentalists and theorists whether solid state chemists or physicists has, in the last few years, inspired much research in the field of materials with quasi one-dimensional structures.

This volume, Part I of a two-volume set, reviews the basic theories describing the physical properties of one-dimensional materials including their superconducting characteristics. This description is mainly based on the properties of transition metal trichalcogenides. The novel collective transport mechanism for electronic conduction, exhibited by some of the latter compounds NbSe3 being considered as the prototype is surveyed according to a classical theory and a theory including macroscopic quantum effects. In addition, the book contains a description of the properties of non-linear excitations, or solitons, in one-dimensional systems. "

As an instructor in various finishing courses, I have frequently made the statement over the years that "In the field of metal finishing there is very little black and white, just a great deal of grey. It is the purpose of the instructor to familiarize the student with the beacons that will guide him through this fog. " To a very considerable extent, a handbook such as this serves a similar purpose. It is also subject to similar limitations. Providing all the required information would result in a multi-volume encyclopedia rather than a usable handbook. In the pages that follow, you will therefore find frequent references to other sources where more detailed explanations or information can be found. The present goal is proper guidance and the provision ofthe most frequently required facts, not everything that is available. In the 13 years since the last edition, changes in the finishing industry have been profound but in one sense have resulted in simplifying matters rather than complicating them. Because technology has advanced to a level of complexity rendering "home brew" impracti cal in many cases, dependence on proprietary compounds has become common. Therefore, detailed solution compositions are often no longer significant or even practical. It is thus more important to provide instruction about the factors that affect the choice of the most suitable type of proprietary material.

Materials with layered structures remain an extensively investigated subject in current physics and chemistry. Most of the promising technological applications however deal with intercalation compounds of layered materials. Graphite intercalation compounds have now been known for a long time. Intercalation in transition metal dichalcogenides, on the other hand, has been investigated only recently. The amount of information on intercalated layered materials has increased far beyond the original concept for this volume in the series Physics and Chemistry of Materials with Layered Structures. The large size of this volume also indicates how important this field of research will be, not only in basic science, but also in industrial and energy applications. In this volume, two classes of materials are included, generally investigated by different scientists. Graphite intercalates and intercalates of other inorganic com pounds actually constitute separate classes of materials. However, the similarity between the intercalation techniques and some intercalation processes does not justify this separation, and accounts for the inclusion of both classes in this volume. The first part of the volume deals with intercalation processes and intercalates of transition metal dichalcogenides. Several chapters include connected topics necessary to give a good introduction or comprehensive review of these types of materials. Organic as well as inorganic intercalation compounds are treated. The second part includes contributions concerning graphite intercalates. It should be noted that graphite intercalation compounds have already been mentioned in Volumes I and V."

The goal of the series Physics and Chemistry of Materials with Layered Structures is to give a critical survey of our present knowledge on a large family of materials which can be described as solids containing molecules which in two dimensions extend to infinity and which are loosely stacked on top of each other to form three dimensional crystals. Of course, the physics and chemistry of these crystals are specific chapters in ordinary solid state science, and many a scientist hunting for new phenomena has in the past been disappointed to find that materials with layered structures are not entirely exotic. Their electron and phonon states are not two dimensional, and the high hopes held by some for spectacular dimensionality effects in superconductivity were shattered. Nevertheless, the structural features and their physical and chemical consequences singularize layered structures sufficiently to make them a fascinating subject of research. This is all the more true since they are met in insulators and semiconductors as well as in normal and superconducting metals. Although for the time being the series is intentionally limited to cover inorganic materials only, the many known organic layered structures may well be the subject of future volumes. Among the noteworthy peculiarities of layered structures, we mention specific growth mechanisms and crystal habits. Polytypism is very common and it is fasci nating indeed to find up to 240 different polytypes in the same chemical substance."

This monograph is intended to give the reader an appreciation of the wealth of phases, elements and inorganic compounds, which crystallize in layer-type or two dimensional structures. Originally this work was planned as a short review article but the large number of phases made it grow out to the size of a book. As is evident from the arrangement of the chapters our point of view was gradually transmuting from geometric to chemical. Moreover, the decision about the compounds that should be discussed was taken only during the course of the work, as is partly evident from the sequence of the references. For chemical or geometrical reason we have included also certain layered chain and molecular structures as well as some layered structures whose layers are linked by hydrogen bonds, thus are in fact three-dimensional. Instead of writing only a review with pseudo-scientific interpretations that later turn out to be wrong anyway we thought it more profitable to include the crystallographic data which are scattered in various original articles and hand books but never in one single volume. We have transcribed many of the data in order to make them correspond with the standard settings of the International Tables for X-Ray Crystallography. The figures are consistent with the data given in the tables. We apologize for errors and hope that their number is at a reasonably low level in spite of the time pressure."

This fourth volume in the series 'Physics and Chemistry of Materials with Layered Structures' is concerned with providing a critical review of the significant optical and electrical properties by established authors who have themselves made many significant contributions to these fields. Research into these materials has recently gained a new impetus and their fascinating properties have attracted many new research workers. These people should find much of value in the reviews contained in this volume and the editor is very much indebted for the painstaking and hard work put into the preparation of the various chapters by the authors. The optical properties provide useful information for deriving the band struc tures, a knowledge of which is required for an interpretation of measurements on the electronic properties. The chapters by Dr Evans, Dr Williams and Dr Bordas describe different techniques which have provided much detailed data on this subject. An interesting property of these materials is the comparative ease with which thin specimens may be prepared for these measurements and this is highlighted in the super conducting experiments outlined by Professor Frindt and Dr Huntley. These authors together with Dr Vandenberg's chapter on the magnetic properties also describe the interesting and significant intercalation mechanisms whereby a wide range of organic compounds and alkali metals may be incorporated in the lattice. This provides an additional parameter for varying the properties of these materials and may yet be seen to provide eventual possible applications of layer compounds."

Reporting on advances in the field of molecular solid state chemistry, each volume focuses on selected areas and highlights methods and results in syntheses, properties and applications. The volumes in this series provide a forum for the discussion of chemical, physical, biological and crystallographic aspects of the molecular solid state.

Eight chapters focus on the theoretical aspects of the reactivity of solids and the applications that are of practical importance. In a collection of reviews that highlight hot topics in the field of molecular solids, the authors of this volume emphasise the problems facing them. Contents:

1. Interplay between Intra- and Intermolecular Interactions in Solid-State Reactions
2. Cooperative Effects in Solid State Reactions
3. Some Aspects of Bimolecular Photoreactions in Crystals
4. Kinetics and Spatial Propagation of Intramolecular Reactions in Solids
5. Kinetic Descriptions of the Simplest Bimolecular Reactions in Organic Solids
6. Radical Solid-State Reactions at High Pressure
7. Polymorphs and Solvates of Molecular Solids in the Pharmaceutical Industry
8. Mechanochemical Synthesis and Mechanical Activation of Drugs.

Reactivity of Molecular Solids will be of interest to all chemists working in the pharmaceutical, fine chemicals and food industries, and also in molecular electronics and materials science.

The book on solid state chemistry presents studies of chemical, structural, thermodynamic, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties and processes in solids. Research areas covered in this book include: bonding in solids, crystal chemistry, crystal growth mechanisms, diffusion epitaxy, high-pressure processes, magnetic properties of materials, optical characterisation of materials, order-disorder, phase equilibria and transformation mechanisms, reactions at surfaces, statistical mechanics of defect interactions, structural studies and transport phenomena.

Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) has been introduced as a modern alternative to current sample preparation technology, and has a wide range of applications. Focusing on quantitative aspects of analysis, Applications of Solid Phase Microextraction aims to describe these applications.

In industry, practical uses of SPME can be found in environmental, food, pharmaceutical, clinical and forensic applications, all of which are described in this book. Important scientific applications such as reaction monitoring, characterization of coatings and distributions of analytes in natural multiphase systems are also discussed. Throughout there are descriptions of new technologies, including new coatings and interfaces for analytical instrumentation (SPME/LC and SPME/CE), automation and calibration processes.

Written by internationally recognised experts, edited by the scientist involved in the research since its infancy, and encompassing a wide range of applications, this book will be ideal for anyone wishing to explore the feasibility of using SPME technology.

Much data has been collected from experiments on the kinetios of radical reactions in different solids, but to date, this has not been presented in book format in a thorough and comprehensive way. This book makes the experimental data accessible for all chemists involved in these reactions. Various models of the tunnel atom transfer are analyzed in order to explain the kinetic isotope effect in solid phase reactions and photoinitiated radical reactions are inspected for the kinetic non-equivalence of particles and factors affecting their reactivity. Topics covered include:
* kinetic description of reactions with dispersion particles in reactivity
* the influence of space-orientation factors on reactivity in cage reactions
* the influence of molecular dynamics on the kinetics of elementary reactions
* the effect of structural-physical modification on kinetics of cage radical reactions

Clathrate Hydrates All-inclusive reference on clathrate hydrates from a molecular perspective Clathrate hydrates are crystalline water-based inclusion compounds many of which form at high pressures and low temperatures. Molecular science has provided the foundation for many areas of modern hydrate research and applications ranging from desalination processes to flow assurance in oil and gas pipelines. Clathrate Hydrates provides detailed information on the molecular science aspects of hydrate research, covering the structural, compositional, spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and mechanical properties of clathrate hydrates as well as simulation methods and selected engineering applications. Edited and authored by recognized leaders in the field, this comprehensive resource introduces readers to clathrate hydrates and reviews the state-of-the-art of the field. In-depth chapters address different areas of specialization such as characterization of clathrate hydrates using NMR spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray and neutron diffraction and scattering. Highlights recent developments in clathrate hydrate research and applications such as natural gas recovery, desalination, and gas separation Reviews various molecular simulation methods for characterizing clathrate hydrates, including quantum mechanical calculations and Monte Carlo results Contains tables of known guest molecules, summaries of structural and physical properties, and different classes of clathrate hydrate phase equilibria Introduces unconventional guest-host interactions, related non-hydrate clathrates, and space-filling cages using the Frank-Kasper approach Covers the molecular motion of guest and host molecules and the relationship between cage geometry and guest dynamics Presents the rate and mechanisms of hydrate formation and decomposition from both macroscopic and microscopic points Clathrate Hydrates: Molecular Science and Characterization is an indispensable reference for materials scientists, physical chemists, chemical engineers, geochemists, and graduate students in relevant areas of science and engineering.

A polymer physics textbook for upper level undergraduates and first year graduate students that can also be used as a useful reference for scientists and engineers working with polymers.