Phase Transitions

Modern Applications

This book provides a comprehensive review of the theory of phase transitions and its modern applications, based on the five pillars of the modern theory of phase transitions: the Ising model, mean field, scaling, renormalization group and universality. This expanded second edition includes, along with a description of vortices and high temperature superconductivity, a discussion of phase transitions in chemical reactions and moving systems. The book covers the close connection between phase transitions and small world phenomena as well as scale-free systems such as the stock market and the Internet.

Contents:

• Phases and Phase Transitions
• Thermodynamics of Phase Transitions
• The Ising Model
• Mean Field Theory
• Scaling
• The Renormalization Group
• Phase Transitions in Quantum Systems
• Universality
• Phase Transitions in Reactive Systems
• Phase Transitions in Moving Systems
• Random and Small World Systems
• Self-Organized Criticality

Readership: Scientists working in different fields of physics, chemistry, biology and economics as well as teaching material for undergraduate and graduate courses.
Key Features:

• This book contains the general description of phase transition theory, which is usually separated between different books
• The simplicity and brevity are characteristic properties of this book
• Minimal preliminary knowledge of physics and mathematics is required, so this book is not only useful for researchers but also for teachers and students