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Structural Stability in Physics

Proceedings of Two International Symposia on Applications of Catastrophe Theory and Topological Concepts in Physics Tübingen, Fed. Rep. of Germany, May 2–6 and December 11–14, 1978

  • Conference proceedings
  • © 1979

Overview

Editors:
  1. Werner Güttinger

    1. Institute for Information Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Fed. Rep. of Germany
      Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA

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  2. Horst Eikemeier

    1. Institute for Information Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Fed. Rep. of Germany

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Part of the book series: Springer Series in Synergetics (SSSYN, volume 4)

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Table of contents (26 papers)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-VIII
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  2. Introduction

    1. Introduction

      • Werner Güttinger, Horst Eikemeier
      Pages 1-2

  3. General Concepts

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 3-3
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    2. Towards a Revival of Natural Philosophy

      • René Thom
      Pages 5-11

    3. Catastrophe Theory

      • E. C. Zeeman
      Pages 12-22

    4. Catastrophe Geometry in Physics: A Perspective

      • W. Güttinger
      Pages 23-30

    5. Synergetics and a New Approach to Bifurcation Theory

      • H. Haken
      Pages 31-39

  4. Topological Aspects of Wave Motion

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 41-41
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    2. Catastrophe and Fractal Regimes in Random Waves

      • M. V. Berry
      Pages 43-50

    3. Distribution of Modes in Fractal Resonators

      • M. V. Berry
      Pages 51-53

    4. Optical Caustics and Diffraction Catastrophes

      • J. F. Nye
      Pages 54-60

  5. Catastrophes in Infinite Dimensions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 61-61
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    2. Infinite Dimensions and the Fold Catastrophe

      • Robert Magnus, Tim Poston
      Pages 63-83

    3. Catastrophes and Bifurcations in Variational Problems

      • G. Dangelmayr
      Pages 84-103

    4. Semiclassical Path Integrals in Terms of Catastrophes

      • G. Dangelmayr, W. Güttinger, W. Veit
      Pages 104-121

    5. Catastrophe and Stochasticity in Semiclassical Quantum Mechanics

      • M. V. Berry
      Pages 122-125

  6. Defects and Dislocations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 127-127
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    2. Stable Defects in Ordered Media

      • René Thom
      Pages 129-133

    3. Structural Stability in Evolving Flow Fields

      • J. F. Nye
      Pages 134-140

    4. Wavefront Dislocations and Their Analysis Using Catastrophe Theory

      • F. J. Wright
      Pages 141-156
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Keywords

About this book

This volume is the record and product of two International Symposia on the Appli­ cation of Catastrophe Theory and Topological Concepts in Physics, held in May and December 1978 at the Institute for Information Sciences, University of TUbingen. The May Symposium centered around the conferral of an honorary doctorate upon Professor Rene Thom, Paris, by the Faculty of Physics of the University of TUbingen in recognition of his discovery of universal structure principles and the new di­ mension he has added to scientific knowledge by his pioneering work on structural stability and morphogenesis. Owing to the broad scope and rapid development of the field, the May Sympos,ium was followed in December by a second one on the same sub­ jects. The symposia, attended by more than 50 scientists, brought together mathe­ maticians, physicists, chemists and biologists to exchange ideas about the recent faSCinating impact of topological concepts on the physical sciences, and also to introduce young scientists to the field. The contributions, covering a wide spectrum, are summarized in the subsequent Introduction. The primary support of the Symposia was provided by the "Vereinigung der Freunde der Univertat TUbingen" (Association of the Benefactors of the University). We are particularly indebted to Dr. H. Doerner for his personal engagement and efficient help with the projects, both in his capacity as Secretary of the Association and as Administrative Director of the University.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Institute for Information Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    Werner Güttinger, Horst Eikemeier

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA

    Werner Güttinger

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Structural Stability in Physics

  • Book Subtitle: Proceedings of Two International Symposia on Applications of Catastrophe Theory and Topological Concepts in Physics Tübingen, Fed. Rep. of Germany, May 2–6 and December 11–14, 1978

  • Editors: Werner Güttinger, Horst Eikemeier

  • Series Title: Springer Series in Synergetics

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-67363-4

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1979

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-67365-8Published: 25 January 2012

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-67363-4Published: 06 December 2012

  • Series ISSN: 0172-7389

  • Series E-ISSN: 2198-333X

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: VIII, 314

  • Topics: Physics, general

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