This book describes two main classes of non-equilibrium phase-transitions: static and dynamics of transitions into an absorbing state, and dynamical scaling in far-from-equilibrium relaxation behavior and ageing.

To understand phenomena in nature, it is important to focus not only on properties of stationary states, but also their changes in time, that is, the dynamics between bistable states. This book reviews the mechanics of first-order phase transitions and discusses relaxation and collapses of metastable states from various viewpoints, including Kramers' method for the lifetime of metastability, Langers analysis on the singularity, effects of thermal fluctuation studied by Neel and Brown, and eigenvalue structures of the transfer-matrix for the phase transitions. The book also goes into the mechanics of metastability in quantum systems from the viewpoints of the eigenvalue problem of the Hamiltonian and the Liouvillian for a dynamical process and discusses relations between quantum tunneling processes and metastability therein. Lastly, the coercivity of magnets consisting of an ensemble of grains is reviewed. The book is beneficial for those new in the field as a primer on first-order phase transition from modern perspectives. The comprehensive content offers overviews of related topics and allows readers to quickly catch up with developments in the field.

This book is an introduction to a comprehensive and unified dynamic transition theory for dissipative systems and to applications of the theory to a range of problems in the nonlinear sciences. The main objectives of this book are to introduce a general principle of dynamic transitions for dissipative systems, to establish a systematic dynamic transition theory, and to explore the physical implications of applications of the theory to a range of problems in the nonlinear sciences. The basic philosophy of the theory is to search for a complete set of transition states, and the general principle states that dynamic transitions of all dissipative systems can be classified into three categories: continuous, catastrophic and random. The audience for this book includes advanced graduate students and researchers in mathematics and physics as well as in other related fields. This second edition introduces a unified theory for topological phase transitions, provides a first-principle approach to statistical and quantum physics, and offers a microscopic mechanism of quantum condensates (Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity, and superconductivity). Reviews of first edition: “The goals of this interesting book are to derive a general principle of dynamic transitions for dissipative systems and to establish a systematic dynamic transition theory for a wide range of problems in the nonlinear sciences. ... The intended audience for this book includes students and researchers working on nonlinear problems in physics, meteorology, oceanography, biology, chemistry, and the social sciences.” (Carlo Bianca, Mathematical Reviews, December, 2014) “This is a clearly written book on numerous types of phase transitions taken in a broad sense when a dynamical dissipative system transforms from one physical state into another. ... The book is a very useful literature not only for the professionals in the field of dynamic systems and phase transitions but also for graduate students due to its interdisciplinary coverage and state-of-the-art level.” (Vladimir Čadež, zbMATH, Vol. 1285, 2014)