Book Review: Monte Carlo Methods in Statistical Physics

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

Book Review: Monte Carlo Methods in Statistical Physics

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

Stochastic Variational Approach to Few-Body Problems in Condensed Matter Physics

The stochastic variational method is a powerful approach to solve few-body problems. The application of the stochastic variational approach to few-body problems in condensed matter physics is presented. The examples include calculation of energy spectra of atoms in magnetic field, confined atoms and trapped Fermi gases.     

Book Review: Statistical Mechanics: Fundamentals and Modem Applications

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

Book Review: Statistical Physics of Fracture and Breakdown in Disordered Systems

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

Book Review: Thermal Physics

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

凝聚态物理学与材料研究的前沿问题

讨论了凝聚态物理学在当代材料研究的前沿问题中所起的作用，首先对，于那些基本物理学业已能晓的常规材料，极好的机会在于设计并制备出微结构和纳米结构，其次，对于具有强关联电子特征的复杂材料，虽则其物理学尚在探索之中，已有迹象表明这将是新材料的“富矿区”，再次，关于有机及聚合物材料，物理学正在向这领域延拓，在设计和制备分子和超分子结构方面，将会提供许多新的可能性。     

Topical issue on Geometry, Integrability and Nonlinearity in Condensed Matter Physics

Recent developments in the study of nonlinear phenomena have led to the realization that a combination of the concepts of integrability, geometry and topology provides a new powerful framework for describing a great variety of physical systems. It was therefore felt that the compilation of a special issue comprising articles on the interdiseiplinary topic of Geometry, Integrability and Nonlinearity in Condensed Matter Physics, would indeed be timely. The enthusiastic response and support that we received from the active researchers in this subject, when we organized an International Conference on the above topic from July 15 to July 20, 2001, in Bansko, Bulgaria, provided a further motivation for undertaking this task. As the topic is interdisciplinary in nature, the articles in this volume contain new results on a wide range of subjects. These include among others, integrable equations and the interplay between geometry and nonlinearity, the role of optical solitons in communication. (and, possibly, computation), common nonlinear and geometrical aspects of condensed matter, field theory, and so on. The increasingly important role played by geometry and topology in diverse areas such as the quantum Hall effect, localization, deformation and elasticity, quasiparticle kinetics and dynamics, spin systems, membranes, is highlighted in some of the articles. There are papers in which essential links of nonlinearity to differential geometry are identified and many elegant mathematical methods are presented. Some other articles focus on how the mathematical tools of geometry and nonlinear analysis can be applied to solve certain physical problems. Given the vast range of titles, it was difficult to strictly divide the contributions into distinct categories. Except for the pedagogical introductory article by Rajaraman titled "CP _N Solitons in Quantum Hall Systems", which essentially "sets the stage" for the various themes covered, we have grouped the articles broadly under the following headings: Geometry, integrability and mathematical physics; Solitons: Interaction phenomena, nonlinear optics; Condensed matter physics; Soft condensed matter physics; Quantum phenomena. We gratefully acknowledge the support from Los Alamos National Lab, USA; Université de Cergy-Pontoise, France; The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy and the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Sofia, Bulgaria, in putting this special volume together. We believe that the cross-fertilization and synergy of a host of ideas in seemingly disparate fields of physics would lead to the natural emergence of new paradigms, which in turn could pave the way for collaborative research to arrive at new solutions of complex nonlinear problems. It is our hope that this topical issue will be useful in providing an impetus for achieving this broad objective. Radha Balakrishnan, Chennai, India Rossen Dandoloff, Cergy-Pontoise, France Vladimir Gerdjikov, Sofia, Bulgaria Dimitar Pushkarov, Sofia, Bulgaria Avadh Saxena, Los Alamos, USA     

Book Review: Classical and Quantum Dynamics in Condensed Phase Simulations

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

Scientific Review: Neutron Compton Scattering Unveils Short-Lived Quantum Entanglement of Hydrogen in Condensed Matter

Multiparticle quantum entanglement (QE) and its dynamical properties are in the focus of several experimental and theoretical fields of modern physics and engineering (e.g., quantum optics, quantum computation, quantum cryptography, and teleportation). This is due to the potential applicability of QE for quantum computers and quantum information technology. If the quantum entangled particles are sufficiently isolated from their environment, coherence can persist for long times and quantum phenomena are revealed. However, under realistic conditions, the entangled objects are continuously interacting with their environment. Thus, coherence is lost and classicality emerges. This process is called decoherence [1] and represents the main problem for the realization of a quantum computer.     

Book Review: Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics in One Dimension

Journal of Statistical Physics -     

变换物理学——原理与应用

变换光学(Transformation Optics)可以使几何空间上的变化转移到非均匀光学超材料的光学参量的变化上。光学隐身就是其中典型的例子,就在几年前人们还认为这是不可能的。为了制备光频段、宽带、偏振不敏感、三维的光强、相位隐身材料,利用激光直写结合受激辐射耗尽技术,可以突破传统的衍射极限。这种变换的思想同样可以应用到其他领域,如力学(确切地说,弹性动力学)和热力学。还讨论了相关的实验过程和研究结果。