In this book, experts in different fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology present unique forms of knots which satisfy certain preassigned criteria relevant to a given field. They discuss the shapes of knotted magnetic flux lines, the forms of knotted arrangements of bistable chemical systems, the trajectories of knotted solitons, and the shapes of knots which can be tied using the shortest piece of elastic rope with a constant diameter.

In this book, the author announces the class of problems called ?entropy of knots? and gives an overview of modern physical applications of existing topological invariants.He constructs statistical models on knot diagrams and braids using the representations of Jones-Kauffman and Alexander invariants and puts forward the question of limit distribution of these invariants for randomly generated knots. The relation of powers of corresponding algebraic invariants to the Lyapunov exponents of the products of noncommutative matrices is described. Also the problem of conditional joint limit distributions for ?brownian bridges? on braids is discussed. Special cases of noncommutative groups PSL(2, R), PSL(2, Z) and braid groups are considered in detail.In this volume, the author also discusses the application of conformal methods for explicit construction of topological invariants for random walks on multiconnected manifolds. The construction of these topological invariants and the monodromy properties of correlation function of some conformal theories are also discussed.The author also considers the physical applications of ?knot entropy? problem in various physical systems, focussing on polymer

The physical properties of knotted and linked configurations in space have long been of interest to mathematicians. More recently, these properties have become significant to biologists, physicists, and engineers among others. Their depth of importance and breadth of application are now widely appreciated and valuable progress continues to be made each year.This volume presents several contributions from researchers using computers to study problems that would otherwise be intractable. While computations have long been used to analyze problems, formulate conjectures, and search for special structures in knot theory, increased computational power has made them a staple in many facets of the field. The volume also includes contributions concentrating on models researchers use to understand knotting, linking, and entanglement in physical and biological systems. Topics include properties of knot invariants, knot tabulation, studies of hyperbolic structures, knot energies, the exploration of spaces of knots, knotted umbilical cords, studies of knots in DNA and proteins, and the structure of tight knots. Together, the chapters explore four major themes: physical knot theory, knot theory in the life sciences, computational knot theory, and geometric knot theory.

Session LXIX. 7 - 31 July 1998

The 19th IUPAP International Conference on Statistical Physics is devoted to the general field of statistical physics, including traditional topics such as statistical methods concerning the static and dynamic properties of mesoscopic and macroscopic states of matter, as well as hot topics of current interest in applications of statistical physics. These include quantum chaos and turbulence, structures and patterns, fractals, neural networks, computer simulation and visualization in statistical physics, disordered systems and heterogeneous systems, simple and complex fluids.

Quantitative Understanding of Biosystems: An Introduction to Biophysics focuses on the behavior and properties of microscopic structures that underlie living systems. It clearly describes the biological physics of macromolecules, subcellular structures, and whole cells, including interactions with light.Providing broad coverage of physics, chemistr