EFFECTIVE FIELD APPROACH TO PHASE TRANSITIONS AND SOME APPLICATIONS TO FERROELECTRICS (2ND EDITION) (World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physics)

This book begins by introducing the effective field approach, the simplest approach to phase transitions. It provides an intuitive approximation to the physics of such diverse phenomena as liquid-vapor transitions, ferromagnetism, superconductivity, order-disorder in alloys, ferroelectricity, superfluidity and ferroelasticity. The connection between the effective field approach and Landau's theory is stressed.The main coverage is devoted to specific applications of the effective field concept to ferroelectric systems, both hydrogen bonded ferroelectrics, like those in the TGS family, and oxide ferroelectrics, like pure and mixed perovskites.

"... thorough introduction to the effective-field approach and to other theories of phase transitions and as a good reference tool for further reading and research in this area. The book is recommended for use by advanced students and active researchers interested in phase transitions." Kira Mirsky Ferroelectrics, 1992