Tensors for Scientists: A Mathematical Introduction

This textbook provides a compact introduction to tensors, which are physical or geometric entities that generalize vectors. Tensors are fundamental in engineering and physics, as they form the framework for formulating and solving problems across various disciplines. These include mechanics (inertia tensor, stress tensor, elasticity tensor), electrodynamics (electrical conductivity and resistivity tensors, electromagnetic tensor, magnetic susceptibility tensor), and general relativity (stress-energy tensor, curvature tensor). As such, tensors are integral to most engineering and physics curricula.

The material is presented with a rigorous mathematical foundation while emphasizing practical applications. The numerous exercises, accompanied by detailed solutions, further enhance the book’s pedagogical purpose and facilitate self-learning. The book can be used for undergraduate and graduate courses in material science, engineering, and physics, providing a versatile resource for both teaching and studying.

Ana Cannas da Silva is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at ETH Zurich, where she is regularly in charge of mathematics courses for scientists and engineers. She studied at technical schools, earning a PhD from MIT in Boston. Previously, she worked at the University of California, Berkeley, at IST/Técnico in Lisbon and at Princeton University. Her research focuses on symplectic geometry.

Özlem Imamoğlu is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at ETH Zurich. After obtaining her bachelor degree in electrical engineering in the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, she did her PhD in mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She moved to Zurich from Santa Barbara where she was a professor at the University of California. Her research focuses on number theory.

Alessandra Iozzi is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at ETH Zurich. She has been teaching regularly mathematics courses for mathematicians, scientists and engineers. She got her PhD from the University of Chicago and, before coming to ETH, she was a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland. Her research interests are in discrete subgroups of Lie groups and rigidity questions in geometric group theory.