Description: This book deals with the electron density distribution in molecules and solids as obtained experimentally by X-ray diffraction. It is a comprehensive treatment of the methods involved, and the interpretation of the experimental results in terms of chemical bonding and intermolecular interactions. Inorganic and organic solids, as well as metals, are covered in the chapters dealing with specific systems. As a whole, this monograph is especially appealing because of its broad interface with numerous disciplines. Accurate X-ray diffraction intensities contain fundamental information on the charge distribution in crystals, which can be compared directly with theoretical results, and used to derive other physical properties, such as electrostatic moments, the electrostatic potential and lattice energies, which are accessible by spectroscopic and thermodynamic measurements. Consequently, the work will be of great interest to a broad range of crystallographers and physical scientists.
Review Quotes: "I like this book very much, for many reasons. It is comprehensive, and the style is crisp and concise--no flowery expressions, but enough words always to make the meaning crystal clear. I also like the level of mathematics used in the text. Here, the author has taken a rather unusual approach: Instead of avoiding the essential mathematics, or selecting only key expressions and leaving it to the reader to fill in the gaps, he provides quite complete mathematical treatments. We are taken through all the steps, at just the right level of detail. . .The book will provide the necessary detail and basic understanding for the newcomer and serve as an excellent reference book for those already in the field." --Physics Today