This new edition of the well-received introduction to solid-state physics provides a comprehensive overview of the basic theoretical and experimental concepts of materials science. Experimental aspects and laboratory details are highlighted in separate panels that enrich text and emphasize recent developments. Notably, new material in the fourth edition includes sections on important devices, aspects of non-periodic structures of matter, phase transitions, defects, superconductors and nanostructures. Especially the chapters on super- and on semiconductivity had been completly updated, inlcuding new developments and new figures. Students will benefit significantly from solving the exercises given at the end of each chapter. This book is intended for university students in physics, materials science and electrical engineering. This edition has been thoroughly updated to maintain its usefulness as modern text and reference.