This book had its origins in lectures presented at EPFL, Lausanne, during two separate visits (the most recent being to IRRMA). The author is most grateful to Professors A. Baldereschi, R. Car, and A. Quattropani for making these visits possible, and for the splendidly stimulating environment provided. Professors S. Baroni and R. Resta also influenced considerably the presentation of material by constructive help and comments. Most importantly, Chapters 4 and 5 were originally prepared for a review article by Professor G. Senatore, then at Pavia and now in Trieste, and myself for Reviews of...

This comprehensive, research level introduction to the theory of liquid metals presents the concepts needed to understand the properties of these metals starting with a survey of the basic experimental facts. The quantitative theory of liquid pair correlation functions, effective ion-ion interactions, thermodynamic properties and electronic and atomic transport is then developed. The book also explores inelastic neutron scattering from bulk liquid metals, critical behavior, magnetism, the present understanding of the liquid metal surface, binary liquid metals, shock wave studies, liquid...