Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics

ISBN-13: 9780521499590 / Angielski / Miękka / 1996 / 260 str.

John Cardy; Peter Goddard; Julia Yeomans

Opis

This text provides a thoroughly modern graduate-level introduction to the theory of critical behavior. Beginning with a brief review of phase transitions in simple systems and of mean field theory, the text then goes on to introduce the core ideas of the renormalization group. Following chapters cover phase diagrams, fixed points, cross-over behavior, finite-size scaling, perturbative renormalization methods, low-dimensional systems, surface critical behavior, random systems, percolation, polymer statistics, critical dynamics and conformal symmetry. The book closes with an appendix on Gaussian integration, a selected bibliography, and a detailed index. Many problems are included. The emphasis throughout is on providing an elementary and intuitive approach. In particular, the perturbative method introduced leads, among applications, to a simple derivation of the epsilon expansion in which all the actual calculations (at least to lowest order) reduce to simple counting, avoiding the need for Feynman diagrams.

Recenzje

'Supported with interesting exercises at the end of each chapter, Cardy's book is likely to prove a popular introduction to this demanding but extraordinarily successful method for probing many complex phenomena.' Robert Matthews New Scientist

Spis treści

Preface; 1. Phase transitions in simple systems; 2. Mean field theory; 3. The renormalization group idea; 4. Phase diagrams and fixed points; 5. The perturbative renormalization group; 6. Near two dimensions; 7. Surface critical behaviour; 8. Random systems; 9. Polymer statistics; 10. Critical dynamics; 11. Conformal symmetry; Appendix: Gaussian integration; Selected bibliography; Index.