Excursions in the Land of Statistical Physics

This book is a compilation of selected reviews by Professor Michael E Fisher. Fisher's major contributions to physics have been in equilibrium statistical mechanics, and have spanned the entire range of that subject. He has been credited with bringing together, and teaching a common language to chemists and physicists working on diverse problems of phase transitions.About the Book by the AuthorTalking informally in a clear way came naturally once intrigued by a field of science; that helped me accept the invitation to publish a collection of review articles. And working actively in an area has led me to express what is new in basic terms, with lots of figures framed, typically, via two- or three-dimensional images. Also encouraging was that my reviews — with crucial references — were recognized in 1983 by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences through their James Murray Luck Award for "excellence in scientific reviewing."However, the first article in this collection is by my postdoctoral mentor, Cyril Domb, whose inaugural lecture at King's College London was entitled: "Statistical Physics and its Problems." This provides readers with a context for some of the topics later reviewed in greater depth. Among the aspects then explained, are the various critical exponents: α, β, γ, and δ — the special exponents η and ν for the correlation functions, and the scaling relations. Phase diagrams are examined thoroughly along with tricritical and bicritical points, Kosterlitz–Thouless points, protocriticality, etc. Random walks along with vicious walkers and their reunions are introduced. Biophysics is touched upon. The final article: "Statistical Physics in the Oeuvre of Chen Ning Yang," stems from the 2015 Conference on 60 Years of Yang–Mills Gauge Field Theories.In conclusion, it is hoped that a wide range of readers (and some experts also!) will enjoy dipping into the variety of reviews collected here. Read more