Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions (Oxford Science Publications) [Paperback]

J. M. Yeomans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198517300 | ISBN-13: 978-0198517306 | Publication Date: June 25, 1992

Recent 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 accurately 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 breakthrough 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 of theoretical physics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Readers of Dr. Yeomans' book will be succinctly introduced to these 'mysteries' and more in less than 150 pages of text. They will be introduced to the main lines of research activity and the important papers in each. . . . novices will be provided with an up-to-date map of the field." --Contemporary Physics

"Provides a brief, accessible introduction to phase transitions, critical phenomena and the renormalization group. I was well pleased with the clarity and coherence of the exposition. . . . this book will prove useful to the beginning graduate or advanced undergraduate student who wants to start learning about phase transitions and critical phenomena, and to the instructor who would like to teach the subject to such a student." --Physics Today

About the Author

J. M. Yeomans is at St Hilda's College, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198517300
• ISBN-13: 978-0198517306
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to phase transitions, August 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

I liked this book because it covers in a short, but comprehensive, manner the main approaches to phase transitions (mean-field theories, transfer matrix, series expansions, Monte Carlo simulations, renormalization group) and so it is an excellent introduction to the theoretical methods of phase transitions. I recommend it to anyone who is giving the first steps in the field of phase transitions. I emphasize that the book contains two good chapters devoted to the renormalization group; the author doesn't limit the approach to the introduction of the formalim, but includes also several examples of renormalization group transformations and demonstrates how to use the renormalization group ideas to calculate critical properties.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An incentive for deeper studies on phase transitions, July 20, 2006

By 

TOE (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

I would not say that this is a 'serious' treatise on phase transitions but it will be great if you just want to have an overlook on the subject. You will get a glance on mean field theory, correlation fonctions, transfer matrices and even the renormalization group theory for less thant 150 pages before you could decide to study statistical field theory, which you probably will want to do if you read this book.