Since the introduction of quantum mechanics, the general theory of solid
state physics has developed very rapidly. To date, a number of good
textbooks on general solid state physics have been written. However,
research in solid state physics has become highly specialized and
undertaken in narrow fields. There is thus a great need for elementary
textbooks that deal in detail with the study of solids in a particular
field in order to give students basic knowledge in that field. Metallic
solids with an impurity, generally called alloys, are of immense
importance from both fundamental and technological points of view. The
pioneering work of Bloember- gen and Rowland (1953) gave considerable
impetus to the study of the electronic structure of metallic alloys.
Serious theoretical study in this field started in 1960 and, during the
last two decades, considerable success in understanding the electronic
structure of simple metal alloys has been achieved. Nonetheless the
theoretical study of dilute alloys of transition metals is still in its
infancy. At present there are few review articles and original research
papers that examine the role of an impurity with respect to the
electronic structure and properties of metallic alloys. Because of the
absence of an elementary textbook that presents a comprehensive account
of different aspects of the electronic structure of metallic alloys, I
have written this elementary textbook on the theory of the electronic
structure of metallic alloys.
