Gregory F. Lawler, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Conformally Invariant Processes in the Plane

Expected publication date is April 16, 2005

Description

Theoretical physicists have predicted that the scaling limits of many two-dimensional lattice models in statistical physics are in some sense conformally invariant. This belief has allowed physicists to predict many quantities for these critical systems. The nature of these scaling limits has recently been described precisely by using one well-known tool, Brownian motion, and a new construction, the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE).

This book is an introduction to the conformally invariant processes that appear as scaling limits. The following topics are covered: stochastic integration; complex Brownian motion and measures derived from Brownian motion; conformal mappings and univalent functions; the Loewner differential equation and Loewner chains; the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE), which is a Loewner chain with a Brownian motion input; and applications to intersection exponents for Brownian motion. The prerequisites are first-year graduate courses in real analysis, complex analysis, and probability. The book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians interested in random processes and their applications in theoretical physics.

Contents

Some discrete processes
Stochastic calculus
Complex Brownian motion
Conformal mappings
Loewner differential equation
Brownian measures on paths
Schramm-Loewner evolution
More results about SLE
Brownian intersection exponent
Restriction measures
Hausdorff dimension
Hypergeometric functions
Reflecting Brownian motion
Bibliography
Index
Index of symbols

Details:

Series: Mathematical Surveys and Monographs, Volume: 114
Publication Year: 2005
ISBN: 0-8218-3677-3
Paging: 242 pp.
Binding: Hardcover

Martha Abell / Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, U.S.A.
James Braselton / Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, U.S.A.

Maple By Example, Third Edition

Enhancements based on newly released Maple 9.5

Backwards compatible for all Maple versions

More detail in its step-by-step examples

Reviews

"Overall, I found the book very nice to read and easy to follow. All major aspects of Maple that a novice to intermediate user would come across are covered."
Laurent Bernard, Maplesoft, Inc.

"The book is eminently readable with a good narrative style and a good blend of didactic exposition followed by the relevant Maple commands. What is especially instructive is the numerous times alternative ways are used to produce equivalent answers showing the versatility of Maple and leaving the choice of method to the reader who attempts similar problems." David Hodgkinson, University of Liverpool

Contents

Ch1. Getting Started: Introduction to Maple. Getting Started With Maple. 5 Basic Rules of Maple Syntax, Loading Packages. Getting Help from Maple.
Ch. 2 Numbers, Expressions, and Functions: Numerical Calculations, Built-In Constants, Built-In Functions. Expressions and Functions: Linear Algebra, Graphing Functions, Expressions, and Equations, Solving Equations and Inequalities.
Ch. 3 Calculus: Limits. Differential Calculus. Integral Calculus. Series.
Multi-Variable Calculus.
Ch. 4 Introduction to Lists and Tables: Lists and List Operations, Manipulating Lists: More on op and map, Mathematics of Finance. Other Applications.
Ch 5. Matrices and Vectors: Introduction to Matrices and Vectors, Linear Systems of Equations. Selected Topics from Linear Algebra. Maxima and Minima Using Linear Programming. Selected Topics from Vector Calculus.
Ch. 6 Differential Equations: First-Order Ordinary Differential Equations, Second-Order Linear Equations, Higher-Order Linear Equations, Systems of Equations, Some Partial Differential Equations.

Readership: Students and practitioners of mathematics, engineering, and statistics from the most elementary to the most advanced levels will find that the range of topics covered addresses their needs.

ISBN: 0-12-088526-3 Paperback
Line Illustrations: 208
Measurements: 7 1/2 X 9 1/4 in Pages: 704
Publication Date: 1 April 2005

Di Biase, Fausto, Krantz, Steven G.

Boundary Behavior of Holomorphic Functions

Series: Progress in Mathematics,
2005, Hardcover
ISBN: 3-7643-4299-4

About this book

This monograph examines the boundary behavior of holomorphic functions in several complex variables. Moving beyond the early ideas of Fatou and others, Koranyi and then Stein in the late 1960s and early 1970s deepened the study of Fatou-type theorems in several complex variables, showing that in a general context, approach regions of a shape dramatically larger than "non-tangential" will give rise to a Fatou-type theorem. These have become known as the admissible regions of Koranyi and Stein. It turns out, however, that the admissible approach regions are only optimal on strongly pseudoconvex domains. Considerable effort has been made in the last 20 years to adapt Fatou theory, and the approach regions in particular, to the Levi geometry of a given domain in multidimensional complex space. The work of Di Biase in the late 1990s is devoted to the Nagel--Stein phenomenon, describing a more general notion of approach region that supersedes the classical ideas of non-tangential and admissible. Krantz's work "Function Theory of Several Complex Variables" (2000), still the only introduction to the subject, focuses on methods based on maximal function estimates. To date, "the main open problem, which is the special focus of this book, is the issue of determining the {\it optimal natural approach regions} for the almost everywhere convergence to the boundary of certain smoothly bounded pseudoconvex domains." This book provides the proper framework for the eventual solution of the main problem. This work gives an updated, comprehensive, and self-contained exposition of many results that have never appeared in book form. Starting with foundational material, i.e., from the unit disc in one complex variable, the reader is lead to the latest discoveries in higher dimensions. New results in boundary value issues of holomorphic functions are examined, which in turn point to new open problems. The book may be used by analysts for individual study or by graduate students.

Table of contents

Prelude: Starting from the Unit Disc * Preliminary Results * The Geometric Context * Finite Type Conditions * Approach Regions and Finite Type * Radial Convergence and Lindelof Theorems * Theorems of Littlewood Type in C^n * The Natural Approach Regions in C^n * Bibliography * Index

W. Michael Dickson
Indiana University

Quantum Chance and Non-locality
Probability and Non-locality in the Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

Paperback ISBN 0521619475

Not yet published - available from March 2005

This book examines in detail two of the fundamental questions raised by quantum mechanics. Is the world indeterministic? Are there connections between spatially separated objects? In the first part of the book after outlining the formalism of quantum mechanics and introducing the measurement problem, the author examines several interpretations, focusing on how each proposes to solve the measurement problem and on how each treats probability. In the second part, the author argues that there can be non-trivial relationships between probability (specifically, determinism and indeterminism) and non-locality in an interpretation of quantum mechanics. The author then re-examines some of the interpretations of part one of the book in the light of this argument, and considers how they are with regard to locality and Lorentz invariance. One of the important lessons that comes out of this discussion is that any examination of locality, and of the relationship between quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity, should be undertaken in the context of a detailed interpretation of quantum mechanics. The book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the interpretation of quantum mechanics, including researchers in the philosophy of physics and theoretical physics, as well as graduate students in those fields.

Contents

Preface; Acknowledgement; Part I. Quantum Chance: 1. Quantum probability and the problem of interpretation; 2. Orthodox theories; 3. No-collapse theories; 4. Modal interpretations; 5. The Bohm theory; Part II. Quantum Non-locality: 6. Non-locality I: Non-dynamical models of the EPR-Bohm experiment; 7. Non-locality II: Dynamical models of the EPR-Bohm experiment; 8. Non-locality and special relativity; 9. Probability and non-locality; Notes; References; Index.

David Landau / University of Georgia
Kurt Binder / Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz, Germany

A Guide to Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics, 2nd Edition

Hardback ISBN 0521842387
Not yet published - available from June 2005

This new and updated edition deals with all aspects of Monte Carlo simulation of complex physical systems encountered in condensed-matter physics, statistical mechanics, and related fields. After briefly recalling essential background in statistical mechanics and probability theory, it gives a succinct overview of simple sampling methods. The concepts behind the simulation algorithms are explained comprehensively, as are the techniques for efficient evaluation of system configurations generated by simulation. It contains many applications, examples, and exercises to help the reader and provides many new references to more specialized literature. This edition includes a brief overview of other methods of computer simulation and an outlook for the use of Monte Carlo simulations in disciplines beyond physics. This is an excellent guide for graduate students and researchers who use computer simulations in their research. It can be used as a textbook for graduate courses on computer simulations in physics and related disciplines.

Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Some necessary background; 3. Simple sampling Monte Carlo methods; 4. Importance sampling Monte Carlo methods; 5. More on importance sampling Monte Carlo method for lattice systems; 6. Off-lattice models; 7. Reweighting methods; 8. Quantum Monte Carlo methods; 9. Monte Carlo Renormalization Group methods; 10. Non-equilibrium and irreversible processes; 11. Lattice gauge models: a brief introduction; 12. A brief review of other methods of computer simulation; 13. Monte Carlo methods outside of physics; 14. Outlook.

Review
From the first edition: eThis book will serve as a useful introduction to those entering the field, while for those already versed in the subject it provides a timely survey of what has been achieved.f Journal of Statistical Physics