Astronomy on the Personal Computer

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Malte Henkel

This book provides an introduction to conformal field theory and a review of its applications to critical phenomena in condensed-matter systems. After reviewing simple phase transitions and explaining the foundations of conformal invariance and the algebraic methods required, it proceeds to the explicit calculation of four-point correlators. Numerical methods for matrix diagonalization are described as well as finite-size scaling techniques and their conformal extensions. Many exercises are included. Applications treat the Ising, Potts, chiral Potts, Yang-Lee, percolation and XY models, the XXZ chain, linear polymers, tricritical points, conformal turbulence, surface criticality and profiles, defect lines and aperiodically modulated systems, persistent currents and dynamical scaling. The vicinity of the critical point is studied culminating in the exact solution of the two-dimensional Ising model at the critical temperature in a magnetic field. Relevant experimental results are also reviewed.

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Geoffrey M. Dixon

The four real division algebras (reals, complexes, quaternions and octonions) are the most obvious signposts to a rich and intricate realm of select and beautiful mathematical structures. Using the new tool of adjoint division algebras, with respect to which the division algebras themselves appear in the role of spinor spaces, some of these structures are developed, including parallelizable spheres, exceptional Lie groups, and triality. In the case of triality the use of adjoint octonions greatly simplifies its investigation. Motivating this work, however, is a strong conviction that the design of our physical reality arises from this select mathematical realm. A compelling case for that conviction is presented, a derivation of the standard model of leptons and quarks. The book will be of particular interest to particle and high energy theorists, and to applied mathematicians.

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Rouslan L. Stratonovich

This book gives the first detailed and coherent treatment of a young and exciting branch of statistical physics. The author presents a new common theoretical framework describing both linear and nonlinear nonequilibrium thermodynamics. This first of two volumes is concerned largely with the derivation and applications of various types of fluctuation-dissipation theorems. Both theoretical physicists and applied scientists will find this material of interest since the theoretical treatment is supported by numerous illustrative examples and application of the general result to a variety of electrical, thermal, mechanical and chemical systems.

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Jean-Marie Souriau

This book is addressed to graduate students and researchers in mathematics and physics who are interested in mathematical and theoretical physics, symplectic geometry, mechanics, and (geometric) quantization. The aim of the book is to treat all three basic theories of physics, namely, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics from the same perspective, that of symplectic geometry, thus showing the unifying power of the symplectic geometric approach. Reading this book will give the reader a deep understanding of the interrelationships between the three basic theories of physics. The first tow chapters provide the necessary mathematical background in differential geometry, Lie groups, and symplectic geometry. In Chapter 3 a coherent symplectic description of Galilean and relativistic mechanics is given, culminating in the classification of elementary particles (relativistic and non-relativistic, with or without spin, with or without mass). In Chapter 4 statistical mechanics is put into symplectic form, finishing with a symplectic description of the kinetic theory of gases and the computation of specific heats. Finally, in Chapter 5 the author presents his theory of geometric quantization. Highlights of this chapter are the derivations of various wave equations and the construction of the Fock space.