This volume is the study of the physical, thermal and structural properties of disordered solids such as glasses. These solids are usually referred to as amorphous or vitreous materials. The properties of these disordered solids are very different from similar ordered solids and the study of their properties has been limited by the lack of a suitable model. The Debye model neglects the effect of frequency on phase velocity by assuming a constant phase velocity in spite of quite different velocities of longitudinal and transverse acoustical waves and assumes a common cut-off frequency for them. Barber and Martin have developed a function for the lattice heat capacities of isotropic solids that permits estimates to be made of acoustic cut-off frequencies and corresponding wavelengths. The function, referred to as the Phonon Dispersion Model, is superior to the model of Debye. Meanwhile, transition from supercooled fluids to amorphous or vitreous solids continues to be one of the most difficult, yet fascinating, challenges of our time. Binder and Kob have provided a recent update focusing on the statistical mechanics of the glass transition and amorphous state of materials. This volume combines the Phonon Dispersion Model of Barber and the rigor of statistical mechanics to enhance the understanding of the physical, thermal and structural properties, as well as the nature of interactive forces in vitreous and disordered solids. The Phonon Dispersion Model has been successfully applied to the temperature-heat capacity data of primitive lattice metals, single and polycrystalline copper, diamond, vitreous and crystalline alkali di-, tri- and tetra-silicates, quartz and minerals.
About the Author: Edgar F. Westrum Jr. received his doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of California- Berkeley. One of the world's scientific leaders in the area of thermodynamics and physical properties of solids since 1940, he has published more than 600 research books and papers since that time. He has served as a member of the chemistry faculty at the University of Michigan since 1946, co-founded the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics and the Calorimetry Conference and participated as reviewer and consultant to major committees of the National Institute of Technology and the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). David A. Johnson received his doctorate in chemistry from Louisiana State University and has served as a professor at Spring Arbor University since 1966. Since 1990, Dr. Johnson has collaborated with Dr. Edgar Westrum in studying the thermal behavior of solids using equilibrium adiabatic calorimetric techniques, research that has resulted in eight publications in major journals.