Starting with a historical introduction to the study of magnetism - one of the oldest sciences known to man - before considering the most modern theories and observations (magnetic bubbles and soap films, effects of magnetic impurities in metals and spin glasses), this book develops the concepts and the mathematical expertise necessary to understand contemporary research in this field. Magnetic systems are important in technology and applied science, but they are also prototypes of more complex mathematical structures of great importance to theoretical physics. These connections are made repeatedly in this volume. After development of the necessary quantum theory of angular momentum and of interacting electron systems, a number of models which have been successful in the interpretation of experimental results are introduced: the Ising model, the Heisenberg model, the Stoner theory, the Kondo phenomenon, and so on. In the second edition the thorough approach and the main features which made the first edition a popular text have been retained. All important theories are worked out in detail using methods and notation that are uniform throughout. Footnotes and an extensive bibliography provide a guide to the original literature. A number of problems test the reader's skill.weiterlesen