Spin Glasses

A comprehensive account of the theory, experimental work and computer modelling of spin glasses.

K. H. Fischer (Author), J. A. Hertz (Author)

9780521447775, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 May 1993

420 pages, 120 b/w illus. 2 tables
23.3 x 15.3 x 2.6 cm, 0.61 kg

'Any major research library in the physical sciences or the science of complexity should have [this book] … also recommended to specialists in any of the relevant fields.' Philip W. Anderson, American Journal of Physics

The study of spin glasses is a fascinating new topic in condensed matter physics that has attracted considerable attention over recent years. This book gives a comprehensive account of the subject, and will provide a valuable overview and reference to both newcomers and experts in the field. The authors discuss the most important developments in the theory, experimental work and computer modelling of spin glasses. The first chapters give a general introduction to the basic concepts, followed by a discussion of mean field theory, the only well-established spin glass theory so far. This book will be of interest primarily to condensed matter physicists, but because of the potentially wide applications of the theory involved, the book should also appeal to researchers in other disciplines, including theoretical physics, metallurgy and computational neuroscience.

1. Introduction
2. Models, order parameters, and systems
3. Mean field theory I: Ising model, equilibrium theory
4. Introduction to dynamics
5. Mean field theory II: Ising dynamics
6. Mean field theory III: vector spins
7. Short-range interactions: low-temperature properties
8. Beyond mean field theory
9. Dynamics on many time scales
10. Specific heat, sound propagation and transport properties
11. Competition between spin glass and ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic order
12. One-dimensional models
13. Random fields and random anisotropy
14. The physics of complexity
15. A short history of spin glasses.

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