Applications of Statistical and Field Theory Methods to Condensed Matter

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Quantum Coherence, Tunneling and Dissipation

   1. Quantum Mechanics of Complex Systems, I

      • A. J. Leggett

      Pages 1-9

   2. Quantum Mechanics of Complex Systems, II

      • A. J. Leggett

      Pages 11-25

   3. Quantum Tunnelling in Macroscopic Systems

      • A. O. Caldeira

      Pages 27-48

   4. Ground State of a Non-Dissipative Josephson Junction

      • A. Tagliacozzo

      Pages 49-62

   5. The “Cold Fusion” Problem

      • A. J. Leggett

      Pages 63-75

   6. Unstable Behaviour of a Superconducting Ring Containing a Josephson Junction

      • A. Extremera

      Pages 77-77

   7. Influence of the Radiation Field on the Process of Electronic Interference

      • P. M. V. B. Barone, A. O. Caldeira

      Pages 79-79

   8. Quantum Mechanical Harmonic Chain Attached to Heat Baths

      • U. Zücher, P. Talkner

      Pages 81-81

3. Conformal Invariance and Phase Transitions

   1. Conformal Invariance — a Survey of Principles with Applications to Statistical Mechanics and Surface Physics

      • Peter Kleban

      Pages 83-116

   2. A Possible Field-Theoretical Model for the Nematic-Isotropic Phase Transition in Liquid Crystals

      • Luiz R. Evangelista, M. Simões

      Pages 117-117

   3. Lattice Unstabilities of Magnetic Origin

      • D. Gottlieb, M. Lagos

      Pages 119-119

4. Solitons, Patterns, Incommensurate Structures

   1. Dual Quantization of Solitons

      • E. C. Marino

      Pages 121-140

   2. Variational Approach to Quantum Statistical Mechanics

      • Riccardo Giachetti, Valerio Tognetti, Ruggero Vaia

      Pages 141-150

   3. Pattern Changes in Electrodeposit of CuSO4

      • V. M. Castillo, R. D. Pochy, L. Lam

      Pages 151-152

   4. Linear Dynamics of Modulated Spin Magnets

      • Christian J. Lantwin

      Pages 153-153

   5. The stochastic φ ⁴ Atomic Chain

      • Angel Sánchez, Luis Vázquez

      Pages 155-155

5. Chaos

   1. Chaos and Turbulence

      • Tomas Bohr

      Pages 157-185

6. Disorder and Localization

   1. Electron Localization in Disordered Systems

      • K. B. Efetov

      Pages 187-208

7. Spin Glasses and Heavy Fermions

   1. An Introduction to the Dynamics of Quench-Disordered Spin Systems

      • R. Bruinsma

      Pages 209-224

There is no doubt that we have, during the last decade, moved into a "golden age" of condensed matter science. The sequence of discoveries of novel new states of matter and their rapid assimilation into experimental and theoretical research, as well as devices, has been remarkable. To name but a few: spin glasses; incommensurate, fractal, quasicrystal structures; synthetic metals; quantum well fabrication; fractional quantum Hall effect: solid state chaos; heavy fermions; and most spectacularly high-temperature superconductivity. This rapid evolution has been marked by the need to address the reality of materials in "extreme" conditions - - disordered, nonlinear systems in reduced dimensions, restricted geometries and at mesoscopic scales, often with striking competitions between several length and frequency scales, and between strong electron-phonon and electron-electron interactions. In such new territory it is not surprising that very interdisciplinary approaches are being explored and traditional boundaries between subjects and disciplines re-defined. In theory, this is evident, for instance, in attempts: (1) to advance the state of the art for elec­ tronic structure calculations so as to handle strongly interacting many-body systems and delicate competitions for collective ground states (spin models or many-electron Hamiltoni­ ans, field theory, band structure, quantum chemistry and numerical approaches); or (2) to understand pattern formation and complex (including chaotic) dynamics in extended sys­ tems. This demands close involvement with applied mathematics, numerical simulations and statistical mechanics techniques.

• band structure
• chemistry
• condensed matter
• crystal
• crystal structure
• electron
• magnetism
• neutron diffraction
• phase transition
• quasicrystal
• scattering
• semiconductor
• superconductivity

• University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

  Dionys Baeriswyl

• Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, USA

  Alan R. Bishop

• University of Évora, Évora, Portugal

  José Carmelo

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