Models of Disorder
The Theoretical Physics of Homogeneously Disordered Systems

This 1979 book discusses how the physical and chemical properties of disordered systems can be explained by theories based on a variety of mathematical models.

J. M. Ziman (Author)

9780521292801, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 September 1979

542 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 3.1 cm, 0.915 kg

Originally published in 1979, this book discusses how the physical and chemical properties of disordered systems such as liquids, glasses, alloys, amorphous semiconductors, polymer solutions and magnetic materials can be explained by theories based on a variety of mathematical models, including random assemblies of hard spheres, tetrahedrally-bonded networks and lattices of 'spins'. The text describes these models and the various mathematical theories by which the observable properties are derived. Techniques and concepts such as the mean field and coherent approximations, graphical summation, percolation, scaling and the renormalisation group are explained and applied. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in theoretical and experimental physics.

Preface
1. Cellular disorder
2. Topographical disorder
3. Continuum disorder
4. The observation of disorder
5. Statistical mechanics of substitutional disorder
6. Thermodynamics of topological disorder
7. Macromolecular disorder
8. Excitations on a disordered linear chain
9. Excitations on a disordered lattice
10. Electrons in disordered metals
11. Excitations of a toplogically disordered network
12. Dilute and amorphous magnets
13. Electrons in 'gases'
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Condensed matter physics [liquid state & solid state physics PHFC]