The handbook covers systematically and in simple language the foundations of Markov systems, stochastic differential equations, Fokker-Planck equations, approximation methods, chemical master equations and quantum-mechanical Markov processes. Strong emphasis is placed on systematic approximation methods for solving problems. Stochastic adiabatic elimination is newly formulated. The book contains the 'folklore' of stochastic methods in systematic form, and is suitable for use as a reference work. In this second edition extra material has been added with recent progress in stochastic methods taken into account.

In the third edition of this classic the chapter on quantum Marcov processes has been replaced by a chapter on numerical treatment of stochastic differential equations to make the book even more valuable for practitioners.

In the third edition of this classic the chapter on quantum Marcov processes has been replaced by a chapter on numerical treatment of stochastic differential equations to make the book even more valuable for practitioners.

Based on lectures given by one of the authors with many years of experience in teaching stochastic processes, this textbook is unique in combining basic mathematical and physical theory with numerous simple and sophisticated examples as well as detailed calculations. In addition, applications from different fields are included so as to strengthen the background learned in the first part of the book. With its exercises at the end of each chapter (and solutions only available to lecturers) this book will benefit students and researchers at different educational levels. Solutions manual available for lecturers on www.wiley-vch.de

The book is an introduction to stochastic processes with applications from physics and finance. It introduces the basic notions of probability theory and the mathematics of stochastic processes. The applications that we discuss are chosen to show the interdisciplinary character of the concepts and methods and are taken from physics and finance. Due to its interdisciplinary character and choice of topics, the book can show students and researchers in physics how models and techniques used in their field can be translated into and applied in the field of finance and risk-management. On the other hand, a practitioner from the field of finance will find models and approaches recently developed in the emerging field of econophysics for understanding the stochastic price behavior of financial assets.