Ferroic materials are important, not only because of the improved understanding of condensed matter, but also because of their present and potential device applications. This book presents a unified description of ferroic materials at an introductory level, with the unifying factor being the occurrence of nondisruptive phase transitions in crystals that alter point-group symmetry. The book also aims to further systemitize the subject of ferroic materials, employing some formal, carefully worded, definitions and classification schemes. The basic physical principles leading to the wide-ranging applications of ferroic materials are also explained, while placing extra emphasis on the utilitarian role of symmetry in materials science.

Providing a comprehensive introduction with the necessary background material to make it accessible for a wide scientific audience, Kinetics of Phase Transitions discusses developments in domain-growth kinetics. This book combines pedagogical chapters from leading experts in this area and focuses on incorporating various experimentally relevant effects-such as disorder, strain fields, and wetting surfaces-into studies of phase ordering dynamics. In addition, it highlights topics garnering recent interest, such as the growth of nanostructures on surfaces. This book also provides a comprehensive overview of numerical techniques, which have proven useful in studying these complex nonlinear problems.

Presenting a unified description at an introductory level of ferroic materials, the unifying factor of this book is the occurrence of nondisruptive phase transitions in crystals that alter point-group symmetry. The book also aims at further systematizing the subject of ferroic materials, employing some formal, carefully worded, definitions and classification schemes. Ferroic materials are important, not only because of the improved understanding of condensed matter, but also because of their present and potential device applications. The basic physical principles leading to the wide ranging applications of ferroic materials, laying extra emphasis on the utilitarian role of symmetry in material science are also explained. A student trying to grasp the essentials of the field of ferroic materials has to come to terms with a large amount of jargon, covering a diverse range of topics.

There is a subtle kind of symmetry called latent symmetry which manifests itself only when the conditions are right. It can occur in systems composed of equal or equivalent components. It lies dormant or latent, and becomes manifest when the components happen to have certain special mutual placements. Although the latent-symmetry idea has been around for more than a decade, not many natural manifestations have been observed to date. But a recognition of the possibility of latent symmetry enables us to formulate a comprehensive symmetry-composition principle enunciated in this book. The principle is applicable to any system composed of equal or equivalent sub-parts. And there are many such systems around. Crystals are an obvious example, the equal components being the unit cells. Several complex networks can also fall within the purview of this principle, if we take note of the approximate nature of their symmetry. This book presents such an all-inclusive view of symmetry in an accessible language. We are surrounded by symmetry and broken symmetry. From the Big Bang onwards, as our universe cooled and expanded, a series of symmetry-breaking transitions occurred, resulting in a gradual evolution of the complexity of life we see today. By now it is well recognized that discovering new broken symmetries (particularly broken gauge symmetries) is the path science must take for going deeper into the mysteries of Nature. At a very fundamental level, laws of physics are all about symmetry. The present edifice of science in general, and physics in particular, would be unthinkable without symmetry. There is a lot of symmetry even in biological systems. This book celebrates symmetry in all its forms, including latent symmetry.

Mastering complexity is the next big challenge for science. Why has structure evolved in the universe: galaxies, stars, planets, bacteria, plants, animals, brains? Why and how has life evolved out of nonlife? How does intelligence arise in systems comprising of non-intelligent individuals or components? How does cultural complexity arise and evolve? Can we explain consciousness? This book describes how answers to such questions can be sought through the science of complexity. Surely we do not have all the answers yet, but the recurrent themes in complexity science point the way to comprehension. This book describes these recurring themes in a fairly nontechnical language. It helps you understand statements like the following: 'Flowers are a work of art, but there is no artist involved in the creation of the art.' Understanding and managing complexity is of critical importance if we are to find ways to solve environmental challenges like global warming, and if we are to build societies that do not destroy themselves through conflict and war. This book helps you acquire the basic essential familiarity with the subject of complexity.