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Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > General
This book gives a rigorous, physics focused, introduction to set
theory that is geared towards natural science majors.We present the
science major with a robust introduction to set theory, focusing on
the specific knowledge and skills that will unavoidably be needed
in calculus topics and natural science topics in general, rather
than taking a philosophical-math-fundamental oriented approach that
is commonly found in set theory textbooks.
Gauge theories have provided our most successful representations of
the fundamental forces of nature. How, though, do such
representations work? Interpretations of gauge theory aim to answer
this question. Through understanding how a gauge theory's
representations work, we are able to say what kind of world our
gauge theories reveal to us.
A gauge theory's representations are mathematical structures.
These may be transformed among themselves while certain features
remain the same. Do the representations related by such a gauge
transformation merely offer alternative ways of representing the
very same situation? If so, then gauge symmetry is a purely formal
property since it reflects no corresponding symmetry in
nature.
Gauging What's Real describes the representations provided by
gauge theories in both classical and quantum physics. Richard
Healey defends the thesis that gauge transformations are purely
formal symmetries of almost all the classes of representations
provided by each of our theories of fundamental forces. He argues
that evidence for classical gauge theories of forces (other than
gravity) gives us reason to believe that loops rather than points
are the locations of fundamental properties. In addition to
exploring the prospects of extending this conclusion to the quantum
gauge theories of the Standard Model of elementary particle
physics, Healey assesses the difficulties faced by attempts to base
such ontological conclusions on the success of these theories.
In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties
raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change
in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern
physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics.
Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical
and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at
their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of
spacetime Rickles argues that both traditional ontological
positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according
to which relational structure is what the physics is about.
. Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to
ontology in physics
. Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments
in modern physics
. Argues against the received view on the implications of
symmetries in physics
. Provides elementary treatments of technical issues
. Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism"
There has been recently some interdisciplinary convergence on a
number of precise topics which can be considered as prototypes of
complex systems. This convergence is best appreciated at the level
of the techniques needed to deal with these systems, which include:
1) A domain of research around a multiple point where statistical
physics, information theory, algorithmic computer science, and more
theoretical (probabilistic) computer science meet: this covers some
aspects of error correcting codes, stochastic optimization
algorithms, typical case complexity and phase transitions,
constraint satisfaction problems.
2) The study of collective behavior of interacting agents, its
impact on understanding some types of economical and financial
problems, their link to population and epidemics dynamics, game
theory, social, biological and computer networks and evolution.
The present book is the written version of the lectures given
during the Les Houches summer school session on "Complex Systems,"
devoted to these emerging interdisciplinary fields. The lectures
consist both in a number of long methodological courses
(probability theory, statistical physics of disordered systems,
information theory, network structure and evolution, agent-based
economics and numerical methods) and more specific, 'problem
oriented' courses. Lecturers are all leading experts in their
field; they have summarized recent results in a clear and
authoritative manner. The "Les Houches lecture notes" have a long
tradition of excellence and are often found to be useful for a
number of years after they were written.
The book is of interest to students and researchers with various
backgrounds: probability theory, computer science, information
theory, physics, finance, biology, etc.
.Topical and comprehensive survey of the emerging,
interdisciplinary field of "Complex Systems," covered by recognized
world experts
."Les Houches lectures notes": a long tradition of excellence and
long-lasting impact
.Of interest to a broad audience (mathematics, physics, biology,
informatics, finance, geology, etc.)
.Some applications may have concrete impact
.Selected topics in complex systems: forefront of research in the
field"
This book demonstrates the concept of Fourier ptychography, a new
imaging technique that bypasses the resolution limit of the
employed optics. In particular, it transforms the general challenge
of high-throughput, high-resolution imaging from one that is
coupled to the physical limitations of the optics to one that is
solvable through computation. Demonstrated in a tutorial form and
providing many MATLAB (R) simulation examples for the reader, it
also discusses the experimental implementation and recent
developments of Fourier ptychography. This book will be of interest
to researchers and engineers learning simulation techniques for
Fourier optics and the Fourier ptychography concept.
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Dialectics
(Hardcover)
Paul Johnsen
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R725
R654
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This book is devoted to an important branch of the dynamical
systems theory: the study of the fine (fractal) structure of
Poincare recurrences -instants of time when the system almost
repeats its initial state. The authors were able to write an
entirely self-contained text including many insights and examples,
as well as providing complete details of proofs. The only
prerequisites are a basic knowledge of analysis and topology. Thus
this book can serve as a graduate text or self-study guide for
courses in applied mathematics or nonlinear dynamics (in the
natural sciences). Moreover, the book can be used by specialists in
applied nonlinear dynamics following the way in the book. The
authors applied the mathematical theory developed in the book to
two important problems: distribution of Poincare recurrences for
nonpurely chaotic Hamiltonian systems and indication of
synchronization regimes in coupled chaotic individual systems.
* Portions of the book were published in an article that won the
title "month's new hot paper in the field of Mathematics" in May
2004
* Rigorous mathematical theory is combined with important physical
applications
* Presents rules for immediate action to study mathematical models
of real systems
* Contains standard theorems of dynamical systems theory
This book describes the advanced stability theories for
magnetically confined fusion plasmas, especially in tokamaks. As
the fusion plasma sciences advance, the gap between the textbooks
and cutting-edge researches gradually develops.
A mind-bending excursion to the limits of science and
mathematics
Are some scientific problems insoluble? In Beyond Reason,
internationally acclaimed math and science author A. K. Dewdney
answers this question by examining eight insurmountable
mathematical and scientific roadblocks that have stumped thinkers
across the centuries, from ancient mathematical conundrums such as
"squaring the circle," first attempted by the Pythagoreans, to
G?del's vexing theorem, from perpetual motion to the upredictable
behavior of chaotic systems such as the weather.
A. K. Dewdney, PhD (Ontario, Canada), was the author of Scientific
American's "Computer Recreations" column for eight years. He has
written several critically acclaimed popular math and science
books, including A Mathematical Mystery Tour (0-471-40734-8); Yes,
We Have No Neutrons (0-471-29586-8); and 200% of Nothing
(0-471-14574-2).
"Perovskite-Based Solar Cells: From Fundamentals to Tandem Devices"
gives fundamental understanding of perovskite solar cells from the
chemical composition of each thin layer composing the different
stacks to the whole device. Special attention has been given to the
development of the materials forming the perovskite solar cell and
their effect on the device performance, in addition to the recent
progress of this emerging technology. Moreover, light has been shed
on the perovskite elaboration techniques, in addition to the
several techniques proposed to improve both the efficiency and the
stability of perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, special emphasis
was given to the three types of tandem solar cells and their recent
advances starting from Perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells to
Perovskite/ CIGS tandem cells to perovskite/ heterojunction silicon
tandem solar cells. The latter constitute a promising solution to
improve photovoltaic solar cells performance.
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