The Physics of Phase Transitions

The physics of phase transitions is an important area at the crossroads of several fields that play central roles in materials sciences. This work deals with broad classes of phase transitions in fluids and solids. It contains chapters on evaporation, melting, solidification, magnetic transitions, critical phenomena, superconductivity, etc., and is intended for graduate students in physics and engineering; for scientists it will serve both as an introduction and an overview. End-of-chapter problems and complete answers are included. TOC:Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of Phase Transitions.- Dynamics of Phase Transitions.- Phase Transitions in Liquids and Solids: Solidification and Melting.- Phase Transitions in Fluids.- The Glass Transition.- Gelation and Transitions in Biopolymers.- Transitions and Collective Phenomena in Solids. New Properties.- Collective Phenomena in Liquids. Liquid Crystals and Superfluidity.- Microstructures, Nanostructures, and Phase Transitions.- Transitions in Thin Films.- Phase Transitions under Extreme Conditions and in Large Natural and Technical Systems.- Answers to Problems.- Appendices.- Bibliography.