Chaos, Scattering and Statistical Mechanics (Cambridge Nonlinear Science Series, Series Number 9) - Hardcover

Gaspard, Pierre

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521395119 ISBN 13: 9780521395113

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

This book describes recent advances in the application of chaos theory to classical scattering and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics generally, and to transport by deterministic diffusion in particular. The author presents the basic tools of dynamical systems theory, such as dynamical instability, topological analysis, periodic-orbit methods, Liouvillian dynamics, dynamical randomness and large-deviation formalism. These tools are applied to chaotic scattering and to transport in systems near equilibrium and maintained out of equilibrium. This book will be bought by researchers interested in chaos, dynamical systems, chaotic scattering, and statistical mechanics in theoretical, computational and mathematical physics and also in theoretical chemistry.

About this title

Book Description:

This book describes new results at the frontier of chaos theory applied to nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and to chaotic scattering. Interest in the results of studies of the foundations of statistical mechanics from the viewpoint of chaos theory has been growing worldwide. The author describes how to characterize chaos and sensitivity to initial conditions, especially in Hamiltonian systems and billiards. These methods are then applied to scattering and reaction processes as well as to transport such as diffusion or viscosity as studied in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, or the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

Review:

"...gives both the background and an overview of recent developments in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, to which the author himself has made major contributions...an important reference book as well as an ideal tool for advanced students in the expanding and important field of statistical physics." Physics Today

"The book is nicely written...allows one to see some topics in dynamical systems with new eyes." Mathematical Reviews

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0521395119
• ISBN 13: 9780521395113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 496