This book is an account of the manner in which the optical phenomena observed from solids relate to their fundamental properties. Written at the graduate level, it attempts a threefold purpose: an indication of the breadth of the subject, an in-depth examination of important areas, and a text for a two-semester course. The first two chapters present introductory theory as a foundation for subsequent reading. The following ten chapters broadly concern electronic properties associated with semiconductors ranging from narrow to wide energy gap materials. Lattice properties are examined in the...