Luca Peliti - Böcker

Statistical mechanics is one of the most exciting areas of physics today, and it also has applications to subjects as diverse as economics, social behavior, algorithmic theory, and evolutionary biology. Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell offers the most concise, self-contained introduction to this rapidly developing field. Requiring only a background in elementary calculus and elementary mechanics, this book starts with the basics, introduces the most important developments in classical statistical mechanics over the last thirty years, and guides readers to the very threshold of today's cutting-edge research. Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell zeroes in on the most relevant and promising advances in the field, including the theory of phase transitions, generalized Brownian motion and stochastic dynamics, the methods underlying Monte Carlo simulations, complex systems--and much, much more. The essential resource on the subject, this book is the most up-to-date and accessible introduction available for graduate students and advanced undergraduates seeking a succinct primer on the core ideas of statistical mechanics.* Provides the most concise, self-contained introduction to statistical mechanics * Focuses on the most promising advances, not complicated calculations * Requires only elementary calculus and elementary mechanics * Guides readers from the basics to the threshold of modern research * Highlights the broad scope of applications of statistical mechanics

The first comprehensive graduate-level introduction to stochastic thermodynamicsStochastic thermodynamics is a well-defined subfield of statistical physics that aims to interpret thermodynamic concepts for systems ranging in size from a few to hundreds of nanometers, the behavior of which is inherently random due to thermal fluctuations. This growing field therefore describes the nonequilibrium dynamics of small systems, such as artificial nanodevices and biological molecular machines, which are of increasing scientific and technological relevance.This textbook provides an up-to-date pedagogical introduction to stochastic thermodynamics, guiding readers from basic concepts in statistical physics, probability theory, and thermodynamics to the most recent developments in the field. Gradually building up to more advanced material, the authors consistently prioritize simplicity and clarity over exhaustiveness and focus on the development of readers’ physical insight over mathematical formalism. This approach allows the reader to grow as the book proceeds, helping interested young scientists to enter the field with less effort and to contribute to its ongoing vibrant development. Chapters provide exercises to complement and reinforce learning.Appropriate for graduate students in physics and biophysics, as well as researchers, Stochastic Thermodynamics serves as an excellent initiation to this rapidly evolving field.Emphasizes a pedagogical approach to the subjectHighlights connections with the thermodynamics of informationPays special attention to molecular biophysics applicationsPrivileges physical intuition over mathematical formalismSolutions manual available on request for instructors adopting the book in a course

The essential introduction to modern statistical mechanics—now completely updated and expandedStatistical mechanics is one of the most exciting areas of physics today and has applications to subjects ranging from economics and social behavior to algorithmic theory and evolutionary biology. Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell provides a self-contained introduction to this rapidly developing field. Starting with the basics of kinetic theory and requiring only a background in elementary calculus and mechanics, this concise book discusses the most important developments of recent decades and guides readers to the very threshold of today’s cutting-edge research.Features a new chapter on stochastic thermodynamics with an introduction to the thermodynamics of information—the first treatment of its kind in an introductory textbookOffers a more detailed account of numerical simulations, including simulated annealing and other accelerated Monte Carlo methodsThe chapter on complex systems now features an accessible introduction to the replica theory of spin glasses and the Hopfield theory of neural networks, with an emphasis on applicationsProvides a new discussion of defect-mediated transitions and their implications for two-dimensional meltingAn invaluable resource for graduate students and advanced undergraduates seeking a compact primer on the core ideas of statistical mechanicsSolutions manual (available only to instructors)

Universality is one of the fascinating features of condensed matter physies: it is the property whereby systems of radieally different composition and structure ex- hibit similar behavior. In the mid-1960s the word entered usage to express the fact that the equations of state of several substances could be mapped onto one another near the critical point: critieal universality. Renormalization group theory in the early 1970s provided both an explanation and a sharper definition of universality. Systems with similar behavior - universality classes - correspond to the same fixed point of a renormalization group transformation. A number of brilliant con- tributions showed how the same concepts could be applied to non-thermodynamie systems, such as the statisties of self-avoiding walks or of connected clusters on a lattice. A few years later it was realized that chaotie dynamieal systems mayaiso exhibit some degree of universality, the paradigmatic example being the period doubling cascade in the iterated maps of the unit interval into itself.

Complexity is a puzzling and important concept in contemporary research in many disciplines. This book addresses the problem of defining complexity by carefully analysing in what sense complexity means measure in such areas as the theory of dynamical systems, condensed matter physics, ecology, immunology and the theory of neural networks. The information content of complexity is studied and similarities and differences in the various concepts of complexity are highlighted, sometimes provocatively. The book could open the way to finding a paradigm of complexity, and should become a standard reference for a wide audience of researchers in the physical and biological sciences.