Crystals and crystal structures /

A valuable guide to beginning studies on crystals, this book is usefully formatted; each chapter starts with questions that are answered therein. There are also problems (with answers) at chapter ends, making this practical either as a course resource or for self-study. Tilley (emer., Univ. of Cardiff) includes descriptions of the diverse applications of crystal structure analysis, from protein crystallography to techniques useful for materials scientists. For example, electron microscopy is explained, and the last chapter is devoted to defects, modulated structures, and quasi-crystals. Another chapter discusses how different visualization styles are used to present the results of crystals structure analyses--from the polyhedral format for inorganic and mineralogical uses, to those used for displaying protein structures. It is worth noting, however, that the editing was not thorough; as a result, a series of typographical errors take away from the book's effectiveness. Also, Tilley uses older nomenclature rather than the newer terminology accepted by the International Union of Crystallography to describe atomic motion in crystals. He utilizes the older "atomic thermal parameter" rather than "atomic displacement parameter," possibly leading to confusion for beginning researchers. On the whole, a welcome addition. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. M. Rossi Vassar College