Dynamics of Self-Organized and Self-Assembled Structures

Describes pattern formation processes and how they can be modeled for graduate-level courses.

Rashmi C. Desai (Author), Raymond Kapral (Author)

9780521883610, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 March 2009

342 pages, 60 b/w illus.
25.4 x 17.9 x 2 cm, 0.83 kg

'The text is very well written and grips the attention of the reader. It is pitched at a level that will be understandable to graduate students, and much of it will be accessible to final year undergraduates. There are numerous figures and illustrations to illuminate the text, an extensive list of references, and a good index. In my opinion, it is an excellent book that can be recommended warmly both to libraries and for personal purchase by physicists and nonlinear dynamicists, especially hose working or teaching in the area of self-organisation.' Contemporary Physics

Physical and biological systems driven out of equilibrium may spontaneously evolve to form spatial structures. In some systems molecular constituents may self-assemble to produce complex ordered structures. This book describes how such pattern formation processes occur and how they can be modeled. Experimental observations are used to introduce the diverse systems and phenomena leading to pattern formation. The physical origins of various spatial structures are discussed, and models for their formation are constructed. In contrast to many treatments, pattern-forming processes in nonequilibrium systems are treated in a coherent fashion. The book shows how near-equilibrium and far-from-equilibrium modeling concepts are often combined to describe physical systems. This inter-disciplinary book can form the basis of graduate courses in pattern formation and self-assembly. It is a useful reference for graduate students and researchers in a number of disciplines, including condensed matter science, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, chemical biophysics, materials science, and engineering.

Preface
1. Self-organized and self-assembled structures
2. Order parameter, free energy and phase transitions
3. Free energy functional
4. Phase separation kinetics
5. Langevin model for nonconserved order parameter systems
6. Langevin model for conserved order parameter systems
7. Interface dynamics at late times
8. Domain growth and structure factor for model B
9. Order parameter correlation function
10. Vector order parameter and topological defects
11. Liquid crystals
12. Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory
13. Systems with long-range repulsive interactions
14. Kinetics of systems with competing interactions
15. Competing interactions and defect dynamics
16. Diffusively-rough interfaces
17. Morphological instability in solid films
18. Propagating chemical fronts
19. Transverse front instabilities
20. Cubic autocatalytic fronts
21. Competing interactions and front repulsion
22. Labyrinthine patterns in chemical systems
23. Turing patterns
24. Excitable media
25. Oscillatory media and complex Ginzburg-Landau equation
26. Spiral waves and defect turbulence
27. Complex-oscillatory media
28. Resonantly-forced oscillatory media
29. Nonequilibrium patterns in laser-induced melting
30. Reaction dynamics and phase segregation
31. Active materials
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Engineering: general [TBC], Physical chemistry [PNR], Biophysics [PHVN], Nonlinear science [PBWR]