This 1998 study introduces the physical principles of how and why crystals grow. The first three chapters recall the fundamental properties of crystal surfaces at equilibrium. The next six chapters describe simple models and basic concepts of crystal growth including diffusion, thermal smoothing of a surface, and applications to semiconductors. Following chapters examine more complex topics such as kinetic roughness, growth instabilities, and elastic effects. A brief closing chapter looks back at the crucial contributions of crystal growth in electronics during the twentieth century. The book focuses on growth using molecular beam epitaxy. Throughout, the emphasis is on the role played by statistical physics. Informative appendices, interesting exercises and an extensive bibliography reinforce the text.

'This book is an absolute ‘must’ to anyone interested in surface processes, growth, and the connection between the two. It is written at the graduate-student level, and would certainly be appropriate for an advanced course in statistical materials physics or as part of an advanced surface physics or condensed-matter physics course. The breadth of the book is truly and absolutely remarkable, and one can only be impressed at the amount of material the authors have been able to integrate - in a logical and very readable manner - in such a compact volume which, in addition, contains a large number of clearly-drawn figures and illustrations that help to capture the essence of the concepts they illustrate. The book incorporates … progress in the area of surface physics and growth, and as such provides a very valuable portrait of the current state of affairs in the field. It is my conviction that the book is here to stay: the statistical physics of growth, as presented in this remarkable book, is robust enough to withstand the assault of time. I recommend the Physics of Crystal Growth by Pimpinelli and Villain, very strongly.'

Source: Journal of the Canadian Physical Society

‘This unique book brings together many fundamental MBE studies in one place and develops them as a coherent story. It is thoroughly up to date and will be invaluable to all practitioners of MBE.’

Nigel Mason Source: Chemistry in Britain