The alkali halide crystals have always been at the centre stage of solid-state physics. They have been "model crystals" for testing many solid-state theories. In recent decades, they have also proved useful in several applications ranging from X-ray monochromators to tunable lasers. Because of this dual importance - both purely scientific and technological - a vast amount of information has been generated on all aspects of the alkali halides. This information has thus far been scattered throughout numerous journals and reference sources. This handbook brings together a wide range of information on the experimentally determined properties of the alkali halides. Some theoretically derived parameters have also been included. All the important literature from 1950 to 2000 has been surveyed. Providing in a single volume all essential information on the physical properties of alkali halides, this book will be a valuable reference for solid-state physicists and materials scientists.

Providing in a single volume all essential information on the physical properties of alkali halides, this book will be a valuable reference for solid-state physicists and materials scientists.