Phonons in nanostructures. By Michael A. Stroscio and Mitra Dutta. Pp. 288. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Price GBP 65.00. ISBN 0 52 179279 7.

During the last fifteen years, M. Stroscio has devoted his scientific activity to the understanding of phonon physics in low-dimensional structures. He recently collected his notes and with his wife, M. Dutta, has synthesized them into this comprehensive monograph on the latest developments in the theory of crystal dynamics in semiconductor nanostructures. The presentation is clear and pedagogic, with detailed and elegant mathematical derivations from fundamental principles and wave equations to special expressions of phonon equations in quantum-confined semiconductor structures. Non-experts will be delighted by the organization of the book, which starts with basic considerations on semiconductor crystals and leads them through general topics on crystal dynamics of bulk materials, progressively, to the theory of phonon physics in nanoscale systems. For each section, a long list of relevant references is appended. Special attention is paid to the influence of dimensionality on electron–phonon interaction in zinc-blende and wurtzite crystal structures, and the corresponding scattering rates in quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots. In passing, specific issues on non-equilibrium phonons and phonon generation in nano­structures are discussed. The final two chapters are devoted to the role of confined phonons in nanoscale semiconductor optics and, more specifically, to the stimulating topic of phonon engineering in nano­structures, with the ultimate goal of controlling dissipation and boosting the performances of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Overall, this book is appropriate for researchers and graduate students in physics, engineering, materials science and chemistry, who have an interest in solid-state technology.