Phase Transition Dynamics

Phase transition dynamics is centrally important to current condensed matter physics. This book treats a wide variety of topics systematically by constructing time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau models for various systems in physics, metallurgy, and polymer science. Beginning with a summary of advanced statistical-mechanical theories including the renormalization group theory, the book reviews dynamical theories, and covers the kinetics of phase ordering, spinodal decomposition, and nucleation in depth. The phase transition dynamics of real systems are discussed, treating interdisciplinary problems in a unified manner. New topics include supercritical fluid dynamics, stress-diffusion coupling in polymers, and mesoscopic dynamics at structural phase transitions in solids. Theoretical and experimental approaches to shear flow problems in fluids are reviewed. Phase Transition Dynamics provides a comprehensive account, building on the statistical mechanics of phase transitions covered in many introductory textbooks. It will be essential reading for researchers and advanced graduate students in physics, chemistry, metallurgy, and polymer science.

Phase transition dynamics is centrally important to condensed matter physics. This 2002 book treats a wide variety of topics systematically by constructing time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau models for various systems in physics, metallurgy and polymer science. Beginning with a summary of advanced statistical-mechanical theories including the renormalization group theory, the book reviews dynamical theories, and covers the kinetics of phase ordering, spinodal decomposition and nucleation in depth. The phase transition dynamics of real systems are discussed, treating interdisciplinary problems in a unified manner. Topics include supercritical fluid dynamics, stress-diffusion coupling in polymers and mesoscopic dynamics at structural phase transitions in solids. Theoretical and experimental approaches to shear flow problems in fluids are reviewed. Phase Transition Dynamics provides a comprehensive account, building on the statistical mechanics of phase transitions covered in many introductory textbooks. It will be essential reading for researchers and advanced graduate students in physics, chemistry, metallurgy and polymer science.

Preface; Part I. Statics: 1. Spin systems and fluids; 2. Critical phenomena and scaling; 3. Mean field theories; 4. Advanced theories in statics; Part II. Dynamic Models and Dynamics in Fluids and Polymers: 5. Dynamic models; 6. Dynamics in fluids; 7. Dynamics in polymers and gels; Part III. Dynamics of Phase Changes: 8. Phase ordering and defect dynamics; 9. Nucleation; 10. Phase transition dynamics in solids; 11. Phase transitions of fluids in shear flow; Index.

Phase Transition Dynamics, first published in 2002, provides a fully comprehensive treatment of the study of phase transitions. Building on the statistical mechanics of phase transitions, covered in many introductory textbooks, it will be essential reading for researchers and advanced graduate students in physics, chemistry, metallurgy and polymer science.

Akira Onuki obtained his PhD from the University of Tokyo. Since 1983, he has held a position at Kyoto University, taking up his current professorship in 1991. He has made important contributions to the study of phase transition dynamics in both fluid and solid systems.