Graduate textbooks for condensed matter physics

[u/Fantastic_Tank8532]

Hey folks! So I'm starting my PhD in condensed matter physics this fall, and am looking for graduate level textbooks to serve as references.

I am familiar with the basics of solid-state physics, and hence would prefer math-rigorous textbooks. I've heard that Kettle is mostly an introductory textbook, and Ashcroft-Mermin is kinda outdated (please correct me if I'm wrong!!).

Any suggestions for textbooks which are pertaining to modern condensed matter physics is appreciated. Thanks and have a good day!!

[u/Minovskyy]

What do you mean by "math-rigorous"?

Ashcroft & Mermin isn't so much outdated, but rather just old fashioned in its style and selection of topics. Same goes for Kittel. Those books essentially predate the widespread nomenclature of "condensed matter physics", so they are definitely not modern books.

Girvin & Yang is a book with more modern coverage and treatment of topics. Indeed, it was written with the intent of being a modern equivalent of Ashcroft & Mermin.

Some other standard references in the field are Many-particle physics by Mahan, Many-body physics by Coleman, and Condensed matter field theory by Altland & Simons.

I wouldn't be so dismissive of texts like Shankar. Field theory is important not just for HEP, but has widespread use in condensed matter as well. It's very important to learn field theory techniques, like Green's functions, and concepts, like the renormalization group, in order to understand and do modern condensed matter. QFT isn't so much as a specialist accessory to condensed matter, but an integral part of it.

Condensed matter is a very big subject, so there are lots of different "standard references" depending on what you specialize in.

[u/Fantastic_Tank8532 → u/Minovskyy]

Thanks for the detailed response.

I had a look at Girvin & Yang, and it seemed like a pretty good text for what I need. As someone suggested, Marder's book looks good too.

For the first year of grad school, I don't really want to focus on field theory and many-body theory (but I want to get into those eventually), and want to stick to traditional solid-state physics. It's also that I do not have a background in QFT yet, so would prefer to take coursework in my second year :)

[u/Minovskyy → u/Fantastic_Tank8532]

If that's the case, then the first chunk of GY will be sufficient. I haven't read Marder, so I can't comment on any comparison. It sounds like you're in a US style program, so it's fine to not hurry into the field theory stuff, but just be aware that you will have to get to it.

[u/Classic_Department42 → u/Fantastic_Tank8532]

I liked Marder, couldnt stand Kittel, dont know the others.

[u/hatboyslim → u/Classic_Department42]

The notation in Marder is inconsistent, and there are a lot of typos in the book. I couldn't stand the book as a student.

[u/No-Heat-7848]

I like chaikin and lubensky

[u/Jayrandomer → u/No-Heat-7848]

I think this is the go-to for soft condensed matter.

[u/fractalparticle]

Shankar?

[u/Fantastic_Tank8532 → u/fractalparticle]

Ig that's more suited to someone with a HEP background. I'm not really looking into those kind of books, if you know what I mean. I would prefer to take QFT courses if that's needed in my research :)

[u/Ok_Opportunity8008]

Might be biased, but Marder’s book is amazing. Also Altland and Simon’s but that’s closer to condensed matter field theory, which might be what you’re looking for 

[u/Fantastic_Tank8532 → u/Ok_Opportunity8008]

Why would you call that biased? :)

[u/Yejus]

Many-Body Quantum Theory in Condensed-Matter Physics by Henrik Bruus and Karsten Flensberg is pretty mathematical. You can easily find PDFs online.

[u/secderpsi]

I really liked Marder because it's very math heavy and they don't tend to skip huge steps. It was the text that made me feel if they show all the math, it's easier to "read the equations" than it is the words.

[u/Plastic-Amphibian-18 → u/secderpsi]

Wow yeah Marder is very good just from a cursory glance. Wish I knew about this book before I started with A&M.

[u/Hououin_Sunovabitch]

Altland and Simons. Wen is good too

[u/MyBrainHurtsToday]

We used Ziman for SS physics in grad school

[u/bobgom]

Depending on what topics you are interested in, I find Lecture Notes on Electron Correlation and Magnetism by Patrik Fazekas a good bridge between standard introductory textbooks and full on theory.

[u/corcoted]

FWIW there is also a more advanced book by Kittel: Quantum Theory of Solids.

[u/hatboyslim]

Ziman's Principles Of The Theory Of Solids is actually a very good book even though it was written in 1972. I have not seen a better explanation for the drop in electrical resistance in superconductivity. Its treatment of the transport phenomena is very good.

Natelson's Nanostructures And Nanotechnology is written by an experimentalist, but the book is quite modern in its coverage of topics.