Future high-tech applications such as nanotechnology require a deep understanding of the physics of mesoscopic systems. These systems form a bridge between macroscopic systems governed by classical physics and microscopic systems governed by quantum physics.

This introduction discusses a variety of typical surface, optical, transport, and magnetic properties of mesoscopic systems with reference to many experimental observations. It is written for physicists, materials scientists and engineers who want to stay abreast of current research or high-tech development.