David Ruelle – författare

Reissued in the Cambridge Mathematical Library this classic book outlines the theory of thermodynamic formalism which was developed to describe the properties of certain physical systems consisting of a large number of subunits. It is aimed at mathematicians interested in ergodic theory, topological dynamics, constructive quantum field theory, the study of certain differentiable dynamical systems, notably Anosov diffeomorphisms and flows. It is also of interest to theoretical physicists concerned with the conceptual basis of equilibrium statistical mechanics. The level of the presentation is generally advanced, the objective being to provide an efficient research tool and a text for use in graduate teaching. Background material on mathematics has been collected in appendices to help the reader. Extra material is given in the form of updates of problems that were open at the original time of writing and as a new preface specially written for this new edition by the author.

How do scientists look at chance, or randomness, and chaos in physical systems? This book answers this question for a general audience.

The Mathematician's Brain poses a provocative question about the world's most brilliant yet eccentric mathematical minds: were they brilliant because of their eccentricities or in spite of them? In this thought-provoking and entertaining book, David Ruelle, the well-known mathematical physicist who helped create chaos theory, gives us a rare insider's account of the celebrated mathematicians he has known-their quirks, oddities, personal tragedies, bad behavior, descents into madness, tragic ends, and the sublime, inexpressible beauty of their most breathtaking mathematical discoveries. Consider the case of British mathematician Alan Turing. Credited with cracking the German Enigma code during World War II and conceiving of the modern computer, he was convicted of "gross indecency" for a homosexual affair and died in 1954 after eating a cyanide-laced apple--his death was ruled a suicide, though rumors of assassination still linger. Ruelle holds nothing back in his revealing and deeply personal reflections on Turing and other fellow mathematicians, including Alexander Grothendieck, Rene Thom, Bernhard Riemann, and Felix Klein. But this book is more than a mathematical tell-all.Each chapter examines an important mathematical idea and the visionary minds behind it. Ruelle meaningfully explores the philosophical issues raised by each, offering insights into the truly unique and creative ways mathematicians think and showing how the mathematical setting is most favorable for asking philosophical questions about meaning, beauty, and the nature of reality. The Mathematician's Brain takes you inside the world--and heads--of mathematicians. It's a journey you won't soon forget.

"Das Buch des Mathematikers und Physikers David Ruelle ist amüsant und lehrreich. Amüsant, weil es aus der seltsamen Welt der Mathematiker berichtet, und lehrreich, weil es die Grundideen schwieriger Theorien einfach darstellt... Ich habe das erfreulich kurze Buch mit großem Vergnügen gelesen und empfehle es jedem, der Spaß an spielerisch vorgetragenen genauen Überlegungen hat..."#Prof. Dr. Henning Genz, Spektrum der Wissenschaft 7/93#

This classic book marks the beginning of an era of vigorous mathematical progress in equilibrium statistical mechanics. Its treatment of the infinite system limit has not been superseded, and the discussion of thermodynamic functions and states remains basic for more recent work. The conceptual foundation provided by the Rigorous Results remains invaluable for the study of the spectacular developments of statistical mechanics in the second half of the 20th century.

The present collection of reprints covers the main contributions of David Ruelle, and coauthors, to the theory of chaos and its applications. Several of the papers reproduced here are classics in the field. Others (that were published in less accessible places) may still surprise the reader.The collection contains mathematical articles relevant to chaos, specific articles on the theory, and articles on applications to hydrodynamical turbulence, chemical oscillations, etc.A sound judgement of the value of techniques and applications is crucial in the interdisciplinary field of chaos. For a critical assessment of what has been achieved in this area, the present volume is an invaluable contribution.