Topics In Disordered Systems

Topics in Disordered Systems

Topics in Disordered Systems

Disordered systems are statistical mechanics models in random environments. This lecture notes volume concerns the equilibrium properties of a few carefully chosen examples of disordered Ising models. The approach is that of probability theory and mathematical physics, but the subject matter is of interest also to condensed matter physicists, material scientists, applied mathematicians and theoretical computer scientists. (The two main types of systems considered are disordered ferromagnets and spin glasses. The emphasis is on questions concerning the number of ground states (at zero temperature) or the number of pure Gibbs states (at nonzero temperature). A recurring theme is that these questions are connected to interesting issues concerning percolation and related models of geometric/combinatorial probability. One question treated at length concerns the low temperature behavior of short-range spin glasses: whether and in what sense Parisi's analysis of the meanfield (or "infinite-range") model is relevant. Closely related is the more general conceptual issue of how to approach the thermodynamic (i.e., infinite volume) limit in systems which may have many complex competing states. This issue has been addressed in recent joint work by the author and Dan Stein and the book provides a mathematically coherent presentation of their approach.)

Current Topics In Physics: In Honor Of Sir Roger J Elliott

This indispensable book is a compilation of invited talks delivered at the symposium, “Current Topics in Physics” held in Mexico City in June 2003, to celebrate the 75th birthday of Professor Sir Roger Elliott. The contributions have been prepared by research associates, former students, post-doctoral fellows and colleagues of Professor Elliott, many of them leading scientists — as Sir Roger himself — in important research institutes around the world. The book gives a very timely and comprehensive overview of various key areas of modern condensed matter and statistical physics. 19 original contributions are included, grouped in three main areas: disorder and dynamical systems, structures and glasses, electrical and magnetic properties.The contributions are by many of the foremost researchers in the field of condensed matter and statistical physics. In particular, contributions by such prominent scientists as M E Fisher, A A Maradudin, M F Thorpe, M Balkanski, T Fujiwara, and of course Sir Roger Elliott himself make this book a rewarding read.