Dietrich Stauffer - Böcker

The book requires only rudimentary physics knowledge but ability to program computers creatively and to keep the mind open to simple and not so simple models, based in individuals, for the living world around us.* Interdisciplinary coverage* Research oriented* Contains and explains programs* Based on recent discoveries* Little special knowledge required besides programming* Suitable for undergraduate and graduate research projects

This work dealing with percolation theory clustering, criticallity, diffusion, fractals and phase transitions takes a broad approach to the subject, covering basic theory and also specialized fields like disordered systems and renormalization groups.

Physics has always influenced other fields, from the mirrors of Archimedes which were supposed to ignite the sails of enemy warships, to the hydrogen bombs which could destroy Sao Paulo and Dusseldorf. More recently, (com­ putational) statistical physics has been applied to biology, economics, world politics, etc. This book presents some examples in this direction to explain these methods. We do not claim to present a textbook of biology, or a so­ lution of economic problems; we merely explain how physicists like us did it, in order to encourage others to try similar interdisciplinary work. The theo­ ries presented here may not be the best ones for the problems but should be the ones closest to statistical physics methods. In most fields we give only the general idea to guide the reader to the original literature; for the Penna model of biological ageing we try to give a more complete overview, including computer programs, so that readers can start their own research immediately in this field. The selection of material follows our own experience, and even with these selected applications we would appreciate if readers would inform us about overlooked literature. We prove our ignorance, if we do not cite impor­ tant papers. We thank many people, in particular M. Azbel, A. T. Bernardes, S. Dasgupta, S. Galam, H. J. Herrmann, N. Jan, H. Milbrodt, T. J. P. Penna, S. Solomon, D. Sornette, Y. C. Zhang and R.

Starting from simple examples in classical mechanics, these introductory lectures proceed to simulations in statistical physics (using FORTRAN) and then explain in detail the use of computer algebra (by means of Reduce). This third edition takes into account the most recent version of Reduce (3.4.1) and updates the description of large-scale simulations to subjects such as the 170000 x 170000 Ising model. Furthermore, an introduction to both vector and parallel computing is given.

From Newton to Mandelbrot takes the student on a tour of the most important landmarks of theoretical physics: classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics, relativity, electrodynamics, and, the most modern and exciting of all, the physics of fractals. The treatment is confined to the essentials of each area, and short computer programs, numerous problems, and beautiful color illustrations round off this unusual textbook. Ideally suited for a one-year course in theoretical physics it will also prove useful in preparing and revising for exams. This edition is corrected and includes a new appendix on elementary particle physics, answers to all short questions, and a diskette where a selection of executable programs exploring the fractal concept can be found.

In seiner zweiten Auflage ist dieses Buch bei aller K}rze noch vielseitiger geworden: Dem kanonischen Stoff eines zweisemestrigen Theoriekurses f}gte der Autor einen aktuellen Anhang }ber Elementarteilchen-Theorie hinzu. Die Breite der Themenauswahl und die klare Sprache gew{hren Haupt- und Nebenfachstudenten den ]berblick, der in Vorlesungen h{ufig zu kurz kommt. Zahlreiche, leicht nachvollziehbare Computerprogramme zeigen, wie die Physik "arbeitet" und geben dem Studierenden selbst Anregung zum Experimentieren am Computer. Die komprimierte Darstellung sowie 126 Fragen und Aufgaben machen das Buch in der hei~en Phase vor dem Vordiplom unentbehrlich.

This textbook takes the reader on a tour of the most important landmarks of theoretical physics: classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics, relativity, electrodynamics, as well as the most modern and exciting of all: elementary particles and the physics of fractals. The second edition has been supplemented with a new chapter devoted to concise though complete presentation of dynamical systems, bifurcations and chaos theory. The treatment is confined to the essentials of each area, presenting all the central concepts and equations at an accessible level. Chapters 1 to 4 contain the standard material of courses in theoretical physics and are supposed to accompany lectures at the university; thus they are rather condensed. They are supposed to fill one year of teaching. Chapters 5 and 6, in contrast, are written less condensed since this material may not be part of standard lectures and thus could be studied without the help of a university teacher. An appendix on elementary particles lies somewhere in between: It could be a summary of a much more detailed course, or studied without such a course. Illustrations and numerous problems round off this unusual textbook. It will ideally accompany the students all along their course in theoretical physics and prove indispensable in preparing and revising the exams. It is also suited as a reference for teachers or scientists from other disciplines who are interested in the topic.

This textbook takes the reader on a tour of the most important landmarks of theoretical physics: classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics, relativity, electrodynamics, as well as the most modern and exciting of all: elementary particles and the physics of fractals.

This book series in the rapidly growing field of computational physics offers up-to-date (submitted to the publisher by electronic mail) reviews for the researcher.The first volume, written by authors from four continents, emphasizes statistical physics. For example, Ising problems are reviewed where theoretical approaches led to contradictory approaches and only quality computing answered who is right. In addition, fields as diverse as neural networks, granular materials, and computer algebra are reviewed.The next volume on percolation and other fields is already in preparation.

This series of books covers all areas of computational physics, collecting together reviews where a newcomer can learn about the state of the art regarding methods and results.The present volume emphasizes simulations of specific materials (polymers, water, and amphiphilic systems), and then discusses surfaces, percolation, and critical slowing-down. Also emphasized is complex optimization, such as spin glasses, simulated annealing, and the graph colouring problem.

This series of books covers all areas of computational physics, collecting together reviews where a newcomer can learn about the state of the art regarding methods and results. Articles are submitted by e-mail before deadlines which are kept by the editor.Biologically motivated simulations, glasses, world-record molecular dynamics, deposition on surfaces, and hydrodynamics are discussed in this volume which ends with an explanation of elementary particle physics (QCD) and their phase transitions.

This series of books covers all areas of computational physics, collecting together reviews where a newcomer can learn about the state of the art regarding methods and results. Articles are submitted by e-mail before deadlines which are kept by the editor.Biologically motivated simulations, glasses, world-record molecular dynamics, deposition on surfaces, and hydrodynamics are discussed in this volume which ends with an explanation of elementary particle physics (QCD) and their phase transitions.

Quantum phenomena and methods are the core of this volume in our series which publishes rapidly reviews of topics in computational physics. In addition, we look at phase transitions in Ising lattices, in continuum fluids, polymer solutions, and end with biological ageing. As before, papers were submitted by e-mail, and these files were used directly to produce the book, for increased speed and reliability.

Quantum phenomena and methods are the core of this volume in our series which publishes rapidly reviews of topics in computational physics. In addition, we look at phase transitions in Ising lattices, in continuum fluids, polymer solutions, and end with biological ageing. As before, papers were submitted by e-mail, and these files were used directly to produce the book, for increased speed and reliability.

In this fifth volume of the authoritative series, the simulation of forest fires, flames, and hydrodynamics is presented in the first three articles. The next two deal with quantum simulations, in particular for two dimensions (quantum Hall effect and monolayers). Biology is connected with the last two articles: we learn from biological evolution to complement computer hardware and software with evolware, or we simulate immunology.

In this fifth volume of the authoritative series, the simulation of forest fires, flames, and hydrodynamics is presented in the first three articles. The next two deal with quantum simulations, in particular for two dimensions (quantum Hall effect and monolayers). Biology is connected with the last two articles: we learn from biological evolution to complement computer hardware and software with evolware, or we simulate immunology.

The sixth volume of the series covers topics ranging from the generation of good random numbers to statistical physics, quantum mechanics, quantum computers and polymers, to protein folding and immunology simulations. It should thus be of interest not only to computational physicists but also to experts in computer science as well as theoretical biology.

The seventh volume of this invaluable series focuses an applications — from Ising models to the formation of small clusters and phase ordering in fluids, to the structure of concrete, to the growth of cities built from it, to the traffic jams and the biology of life in the cities, and to the marketing of products to consumers. Thus the interdisciplinary research potential of computational physics is particularly well documented.

This volume is based on an international school on “Scaling and Disordered Systems” organized by M R H Khajehpour, M R Kolahchi and M Sahimi. Despite the common theme, it covers fields as diverse as basic and applied percolation, and biological prey-predator and ageing simulations. The advantages of computer simulation thus become particularly clear in the reviews, which have been written by leading experts.