Group Theory and Its Applications in Physics

This textbook presents an introduction to group theory and its applications in atomic, molecular and solid-state physics. It provides the background on the mathematical theory of groups and then shows why group theory is a powerful tool for solving physics problems. Worked examples and exercises with hints and answers encourage self-study, and the inclusion of some advanced material, such as the theory of induced representations and ray representations, Racah theory of atomic spectra, and Laudau theory of second-order phase transitions, should interest professionals in the field.