This book provides an account of modern aspects relating far infrared
radiation to properties of solids; it encompasses both theoretical and
experimental considerations. Written at the gradu- ate level, it
attempts a threefold purpose; an indication of the breadth of the
subject, an in-depth examination of important areas, and reference
material to complement a text for a course. The treatment and
organization of material here is compatible with a preceding volume of
this series on "Optical Properties of Solids." Chapters 1-6 present
material concerned principally with experimental considerations
necessary to the carrying out of meas- urements in the far infrared
spectral region. They also serve to provide considerable introductory
material for the remaining chap- ters which deal with various areas that
offer theoretical treat- ments utilizing and understanding far infrared
properties of solids. Several lectures presented at the Institute could
not be in- cluded in this book for two reasons: (i) Final versions of
the lecture notes suitable for publication never arrived from several
lecturers; (ii) Some materials were deliberately left out fro this book
as they were also presented at an earlier NATO Institute and form part
of a preceding volume edited by us in this series. In particular, it is
recommended that Chapters 14 and 15, viz., in- frared and Raman spectra
due to lattice vibrations by S. S. Mitra and impurity induced lattice
absorption by L. Genzel in "Optical Properties of Solids'- be read
concurrently with the present volume.