Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics by John Cardy

Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics by John Cardy

This text provides a thoroughly modern graduate-level introduction to the theory of critical behaviour. Beginning with a brief review of phase transitions in simple systems and of mean field theory, the text then goes on to introduce the core ideas of the renormalization group. Following chapters cover phase diagrams, fixed points, cross-over behaviour, finite-size scaling, perturbative renormalization methods, low-dimensional systems, surface critical behaviour, random systems, percolation, polymer statistics, critical dynamics and conformal symmetry. The book closes with an appendix on Gaussian integration, a selected bibliography, and a detailed index. Many problems are included. The emphasis throughout is on providing an elementary and intuitive approach. In particular, the perturbative method introduced leads, among other applications, to a simple derivation of the epsilon expansion in which all the actual calculations (at least to lowest order) reduce to simple counting, avoiding the need for Feynman diagrams.

' … a short but very intelligible textbook well equilibrated by a variety of material' V. Zagrebnov, Zentralblatt Math
'Supported with interesting exercises at the end of each chapter, Cardy's book is likely to prove a popular introduction to this demanding but extraordinarily successful method for probing many complex phenomena.' Robert Matthews New Scientist

Cardy, John: - John Cardy is Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, and Professor of Physics at University of Oxford.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780521499590
ISBN 10	0521499593
Title	Scaling and Renormalization in Statistical Physics
Author	John Cardy
Series	Cambridge Lecture Notes In Physics
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	1996-04-26
Number of pages	260
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable