This book is a rigorous, unified account of the fundamental principles of the density-functional theory of the electronic structure of matter and its applications to atoms and molecules. Containing a detailed discussion of the chemical potential and its derivatives, it provides an understanding of the concepts of electronegativity, hardness and softness, and chemical reactivity. Both the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham and the Levy-Lieb derivations of the basic theorems are included. Two introductory chapters and several appendices provide all the background material necessary beyond a knowledge of elementary quantum theory. The book is intended for physicists, chemists and advanced students in chemistry.

Table of Contents

1. Elementary wave mechanics; 2. Density matrices; 3. Density-functional theory; 4. The chemical potential; 5. Chemical potental derivatives; 6. Thomas-Fermi and related models; 7. The Kohn-Sham method: Basic principles; 8. The Kohn-Sham method: Elaboration; 9. Extensions; 10. Aspects of atoms and molecules; 11. Miscellany; Appendices: A. Functionals. B. Convex functions and functionals. C. Second quantization for fermions. D. The Wigner Distribution Function and the h semiclassical expansion. E. The uniform electron gas. F. Tables of values of electronegativities and hardnesses. G. The review literature of density-functional theory

Reviews

"The theory of atoms, molecules and solids is largely dependent on good approximate solutions to appropriate quantum mechanical many-electron systems. Thus the appearance in recent years, of a new practical way to generate such solutions has met with considerable interest. The method is the density-functional method (DFT) in the local density approximation (LDA). . . . R.G. Parr and W. Yang are experienced professionals in this area . . . Their book is a thorough and solid introduction to the DFT. . . . I found the book well written, accurate and helpful. I recommend it." --Annual Nuclear Energy
"Gives an excellent summary of the foundations and, much more briefly, of some of the applications of this electron density theory . . . . well written and important book." --The Times Higher Education Supplement
"The author's goal of giving 'a coherent account of the (density-functional) theory as it stands today' has been attained in this excellent book." --Theoretica Chimica Acta