Phase Transitions
A Materials Perspective

A pedagogical introduction to the theory of phase transitions and related research topics, bridging physics and materials science.

Antoni Planes (Author), Avadh Saxena (Author)

9781009549752, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 May 2025

412 pages
25.1 x 17.6 x 3.1 cm, 0.88 kg

This accessible text is an introduction to the theory of phase transitions and its application to real materials. Assuming some familiarity with thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, the book begins with a primer on the thermodynamics of equilibrium phase transitions, including the mean-field and Ginzburg-Landau approaches. The general kinetic features and dynamics of phase transitions are explained, ensuring that readers are familiar with the key physical concepts. With the foundations established, the general theory is applied to the study of phase transitions in a wide range of materials including ferroic materials, caloric materials, liquid crystals and glasses. Non-equilibrium phase transitions, superconductors and quantum phase transitions are also covered. Including exercises throughout and solutions available online, this text is suitable for graduate courses as well as researchers in physics and materials science seeking a primer on popular and emerging research topics.

Part I. General Aspects: 1. Introduction to phase transitions
2. Dynamics of phase transitions
Part II. Applications: 3. Ferroic materials
4. Coupling of ferroic degrees of freedom: multiferroics
5. Caloric and multicaloric materials
6. Liquid crystals and topological defects
7. Glassy phenomena in materials with disorder
8. Non-equilibrium phase transitions
9. Superconductors
10. Quantum phase transitions
Appendix. Landau theory and symmetry.

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