Description
Book SynopsisRecent developments have led to a good understanding of universality; why phase transitions in systems as diverse as magnets, fluids, liquid crystals, and superconductors can be brought under the same theoretical umbrella and well described by simple models. This book describes the physics underlying universality and then lays out the theoretical approaches now available for studying phase transitions. Traditional techniques, mean-field theory, series expansions, and the transfer matrix, are described; the Monte Carlo method is covered, and two chapters are devoted to the renormalization group, which led to a break-through in the field.The book will be useful as a textbook for a course in `Phase Transitions'', as an introduction for graduate students undertaking research in related fields, and as an overview for scientists in other disciplines who work with phase transitions but who are not aware of the current tools in the armoury of the theoretical physicist.
Trade Review'The book will be useful as a textbook for a course in phase transitions; as an introduction in other disciplines who work with phase transitions but who are not aware of the current tools in the armoury of the theoretical physicist. (orig.) Physics Briefs
'it is desirable that those who wish to be acquainted with the work being done in the field have access to suitable textbooks ... Such a book is the text under review ... this book will serve as a useful map to novices to the field.' Dr A. Danielian, King's College, London, Contemporary Physics, Volume 33, Number 5, September/October 1992
'novices will be provided with an up-to-date map of the field.' Dr. A. Danielian, King's College, London. Contemporary Physics, 1992, Volume 33, Number 5.
Table of ContentsIntroduction; Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; Models; Mean-field theories; The transfer matrix; Series expansions; Monte Carlo simulations; The renormalization group; Implementations of the renormalization group.
