Fluid Metals

An introduction to the physics and chemistry of the liquid-vapour phase transition of metals, this book examines the condensed-matter physics relevant to a dense metallic liquid and the molecular chemistry relevant to a dilute atomic vapour. Drawing on resaerch and data from carefully selected fluid-metal systems, it attempts to develop a rigorous theoretical approach to predict the thermodynamic behaviour of fluid metals over the entire liquid-vapour range. The book should appeal tyo theoreticians interested in metal to non-metal transitions or continuous phase transitions in general. It could also be of value to those who need to understand the practical applications of fluid metals, for example, as a high-temperature working fluid or as a key component of semiconductor manufacturing.