Three scientists from the L.D. Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Moscow, review recent developments in the theory of spin glasses and related strongly disordered systems. They discuss in particular the problems of irreversibility and nonergodicity in the framework of the mean field theory, a phase transition in three- dimensional spin glasses, and glass-like systems with hidden correlations. Addressed to researchers in theoretical physics. Book club price $59. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Spin glasses are disordered magnetic systems that have led to the development of mathematical tools with an array of real-world applications, from airline scheduling to neural networks. Spin Glasses and Complexity offers the most concise, engaging, and accessible introduction to the subject, fully explaining what spin glasses are, why they are important, and how they are opening up new ways of thinking about complexity. This one-of-a-kind guide to spin glasses begins by explaining the fundamentals of order and symmetry in condensed matter physics and how spin glasses fit into--and modify--this framework. It then explores how spin-glass concepts and ideas have found applications in areas as diverse as computational complexity, biological and artificial neural networks, protein folding, immune response maturation, combinatorial optimization, and social network modeling. Providing an essential overview of the history, science, and growing significance of this exciting field, Spin Glasses and Complexity also features a forward-looking discussion of what spin glasses may teach us in the future about complex systems. This is a must-have book for students and practitioners in the natural and social sciences, with new material even for the experts.

A comprehensive account of the theory, experimental work and computer modelling of spin glasses.

This superb new book is one of the first publications in recent years to provide a broad overview of this interdisciplinary field. Most of the book is written in a self contained manner, assuming only a general knowledge of statistical mechanics and basic probabilty theory . It provides the reader with a sound introduction to the field and to the analytical techniques necessary to follow its most recent developments

This volume is an introduction to the application of techniques developed for the study of disordered systems to problems which arise in biology. Topics presented include neural networks, adaptation and evolution, maturation of the immune response, and protein dynamics and folding. This book will appeal to students and researchers interested in statistical and condensed matter physics, glasses and spin glasses, and biophysics.

Presenting and developing the theory of spin glasses for mathematical physicists and probabilists working in disordered systems.

The book introduces some useful and little known techniques in statistical mechanics and field theory including multiple Legendre transforms, supersymmetry, Fourier transforms on a tree, infinitesimal permutations and Ward Takahashi Identities."--Jacket.