Computational Statistical Physics: from Billiards to Monte Carlo Softcover Reprint of Hardcover 1st Ed. 2002 edition

Jacket Description/Back: In recent years statistical physics has made significant progress as a result of advances in numerical techniques. While good textbooks exist on the general aspects of statistical physics, the numerical methods and the new developments based on large-scale computing are not usually adequately presented. In this book 16 experts describe the application of methods of statistical physics to various areas in physics: disordered materials, quasicrystals, semiconductors, ... and also to other areas beyond physics, such as financial markets, game theory, evolution, and traffic planning, in which statistical physics has recently become significant. In this way the universality of the underlying concepts and methods such as fractals, random matrix theory, time series, neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, becomes clear. The topics are covered by introductory, tutorial presentations. Description for Sales People: In this book, 16 experts describe the application of methods of statistical physics to various areas in physics: disordered materials, quasicrystals, semiconductors, and also to other areas beyond physics, such as financial markets, game theory, evolution, and traffic planning, in which statistical physics has recently become significant. Review Quotes: From the reviews of the first edition: "This book contains 17 chapters devoted to the use of statistical mechanical methods in areas not belonging to physics and also a few which do belong to physics. Each chapter is a nicely written tutorial presentation of the problem and of the numerical techniques used to solve it. Each of these chapters can be used as a concise introduction ." (M. Baus, Physicalia, Issue 6, 2002) "This book is a different style of computational physics text, rather more like the conference proceedings than the usual undergraduate text. The result then is quite a pleasing survey of current topics in computational statistical physics. For the lecturer this is a very attractive resource for project length problems in a computational physics course for higher undergraduate or early graduate level students. For graduate students it is a good survey of modern statistical physics problems that lend themselves to numerical treatment." (G. P. Morriss, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (3), 2002) Review Quotes: From the reviews of the first edition: "This book contains 17 chapters devoted to the use of statistical mechanical methods in areas not belonging to physics and also a few which do belong to physics. Each chapter is a nicely written tutorial presentation of the problem and of the numerical techniques used to solve it. Each of these chapters can be used as a concise introduction ." (M. Baus, Physicalia, Issue 6, 2002) "This book is a different style of computational physics text, rather more like the conference proceedings than the usual undergraduate text. The result then is quite a pleasing survey of current topics in computational statistical physics. For the lecturer this is a very attractive resource for project length problems in a computational physics course for higher undergraduate or early graduate level students. For graduate students it is a good survey of modern statistical physics problems that lend themselves to numerical treatment." (G. P. Morriss, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (3), 2002)"Table of Contents: 1 Game Theory and Statistical Mechanics.- 2 Chaotic Billiards.- 3 Combinatorial Optimization and High Dimensional Billiards.- 4 The Statistical Physics of Energy Landscapes: From Spin Glasses to Optimization.- 5 Optimization of Production Lines by Methods from Statistical Physics.- 6 Predicting and Generating Time Series by Neural Networks: An Investigation Using Statistical Physics.- 7 Statistical Physics of Cellular Automata Models for Traffic Flow.- 8 Self-Organized Criticality in Forest-Fire Models.- 9 Nonlinear Dynamics of Active Brownian Particles.- 10 Financial Time Series and Statistical Mechanics.- 11 Go with the Winners Simulations.- 12 Aperiodicity and Disorder Do They Play a Role?.- 13 Quantum Phase Transitions.- 14 Introduction to Energy Level Statistics.- 15 Randomness in Optical Spectra of Semiconductor Nanostructures.- 16 Characterization of the Metal Insulator Transition in the Anderson Model of Localization.- 17 Percolation, Renormalization and Quantum Hall Transition."Review Quotes: From the reviews of the first edition: "This book contains 17 chapters devoted to the use of statistical mechanical methods in areas not belonging to physics and also a few which do belong to physics. Each chapter is a nicely written tutorial presentation of the problem and of the numerical techniques used to solve it. Each of these chapters can be used as a concise introduction ." (M. Baus, Physicalia, Issue 6, 2002) "This book is a different style of computational physics text, rather more like the conference proceedings than the usual undergraduate text. The result then is quite a pleasing survey of current topics in computational statistical physics. For the lecturer this is a very attractive resource for project length problems in a computational physics course for higher undergraduate or early graduate level students. For graduate students it is a good survey of modern statistical physics problems that lend themselves to numerical treatment." (G. P. Morriss, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (3), 2002)"Marc Notes: Originally published: 2002.; In this text 16 experts describe the application of methods of statistical physics to various areas in physics such as disordered materials, quasicrystals, semiconductors, and also to other areas beyond physics, such as financial markets, game theory, evolution, and traffic planning.

Contributor Bio:  Schreiber, Michael Adam Hill began his professional theatre career with the renowned Broadway repertory company, APA, in New York. He has performed extensively on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatre, in touring companies, and in film and television. He has directed over 50 productions coast-to-coast, including at Off-Broadway theatres. Adam also directed the acting portion of Star Search, as well as a pilot for ABC written by and starring Brad Garrett. Adam's successful acting career led him to practicing his true love, teaching. It began in 1970 when a group of actors asked him to work with them, and it continues to this day. In 1985 Adam opened the Adam Hill Actor's Studio in Los Angeles. In 1995, he accepted a position at Wilkes University (PA) to establish a professional theatre program. In 2005, Adam taught professional actor's classes in NYC. He is currently the lead teacher at Craft Acting Studio in Las Vegas, NV. Adam has taught some of the bright stars of the theatre and film world including Heather Locklear, Laura Dern, Brad Garrett, and Doug Savant. He is the author of Beyond the Moon, An Acting Manual, and You Got the Job! a guide to getting work in the industry. An excerpt from Adam's teaching philosophy: My philosophy of teaching begins with a simple statement. It's all about the student. It is my goal to develop working professionals, professionals who wish to challenge themselves to great rewards in an exciting and rewarding world. The profession of theatre has many venues of success. I believe in training the student to be well equipped so he/she will recognize the area of theatre where they belong. A student can eventually discover their place in the business as a producer, agent, casting director, designer, director, technician of many varieties (this list is enormous - grips and camera man, to best boys), business manager, theatre owner, stage manger, director of photography, playwrights and screen writers, teachers and of course successful working actors. I know this to be true for I have many students in all areas of this business. If a student enters my world with a love of this business and a passion to grow I can guarantee them success. It may not be in the area they first imagine themselves but they will be happy and successful.