Fluctuations and Sensitivity in Nonequilibrium Systems


Book Description

This volume contains the invited lectures and a selection of the contributed papers and posters of the workshop on "Fluctuations and Sensitivity in Nonequil ibrium Systems", held at the Joe C. Thompson Conference Center, Un i vers ity of Texas at Austin, March 12-16, 1984. The workshop dealt with stochastic phenomena and sensi tivity in nonequilibrium systems from a macroscopic point of view. Durin9 the last few years it has been realized that the role of fluctuations is far less trivial in systems far from equilibrium than in systems under thermodynamic equilibrium condi tions. It was found that random fluctuations often are a determining factor for the state adopted by macroscopic systems and cannot be regarded as secondary effects of minor importance. Further, nonequilibrium systems are also very sensitive to small systematic changes in their environment. The main aims of the workshop were: i) to provide scientists with an occasion to acquaint themselves with the state of the art in fluctuation theory and sensitivity analysis; ii) to provide a forum for the presentation of recent advances in theory and experiment; iii) to bring toge ther theoreticians and experimentalists in order to delineate the major open problems and to formulate strategies to tackle these problems. The organizing committee of the workshop consisted of W. Horsthemke, O.K. Konde pudi, G. Dewel, G. Nicolis, I. Prigogine and L. Reichl.













Microwave Noise in Semiconductor Devices


Book Description

A thorough reference work bridging the gap between contemporary and traditional approaches to noise problems Noise in semiconductor devices refers to any unwanted signal or disturbance in the device that degrades performance. In semiconductor devices, noise is attributed to hot-electron effects. Current advances in information technology have led to the development of ultrafast devices that are required to provide low-noise, high-speed performance. Microwave Noise in Semiconductor Devices considers available data on the speed versus noise trade-off and discusses optimal solutions in semiconductors and semiconductor structures. These solutions are of direct interest in the research and development for fast, efficient, and reliable communications systems. As the only book of its kind accessible to practicing engineers, the material is divided into four parts-the kinetic theory of fluctuations and its corollaries, the methods of measurements of microwave noise, low-dimensional structures, and, finally, devices. With over 100 illustrations presenting recent experimental data for up-to-date semiconductor structures designed for ultrafast electronics, together with results of microscopic simulation where available, these examples, tables, and references offer a full comprehension of electronic processes and fluctuation in dimensionally quantizing structures. Bridging the apparent gap between the microscopic approach and the equivalent circuit approach, Microwave Noise in Semiconductor Devices considers microwave fluctuation phenomena and noise in terms of ultrafast kinetic processes specific to modern quantum-well structures. Scientists in materials science, semiconductor and solid-state physics, electronic engineers, and graduate students will all appreciate this indispensable review of contemporary and future microwave and high-speed electronics.







Advances in Chemical Physics: Special Volume in Memory of Ilya Prigogine, Volume 135


Book Description

This series provides the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. This stand-alone special topics volume reports recent advances in electron-transfer research with significant, up-to-date chapters by internationally recognized researchers.




Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems


Book Description

This unique book brings together a comprehensive set of papers on the background, theory, technical issues and applications of agent-based modelling (ABM) within geographical systems. This collection of papers is an invaluable reference point for the experienced agent-based modeller as well those new to the area. Specific geographical issues such as handling scale and space are dealt with as well as practical advice from leading experts about designing and creating ABMs, handling complexity, visualising and validating model outputs. With contributions from many of the world’s leading research institutions, the latest applied research (micro and macro applications) from around the globe exemplify what can be achieved in geographical context. This book is relevant to researchers, postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, and professionals in the areas of quantitative geography, spatial analysis, spatial modelling, social simulation modelling and geographical information sciences.




Instabilities and Chaos in Quantum Optics


Book Description

Of the variety of nonlinear dynamical systems that exhibit deterministic chaos optical systems both lasers and passive devices provide nearly ideal systems for quantitative investigation due to their simplicity both in construction and in the mathematics that describes them. In view of their growing technical application the understanding, control and possible exploitation of sources of instability in these systems has considerable practical importance. The aim of this volume is to provide a comprehensive coverage of the current understanding of optical instabilities through a series of reviews by leading researchers in the field. The book comprises nine chapters, five on active (laser) systems and four on passive optically bistable systems. Instabilities and chaos in single- (and multi-) mode lasers with homogeneously and broadened gain media are presented and the influence of an injected signal, loss modulation and also feedback of laser output on this behaviour is treated. Both electrically excited and optically pumped gas lasers are considered, and an analysis of dynamical instabilities in the emission from free electron lasers are presented. Instabilities in passive optically bistable systems include a detailed analysis of the global bifurcations and chaos in which transverse effects are accounted for. Experimental verification of degenerative pulsations and chaos in intrinsic bistable systems is described for various optical feedback systems in which atomic and molecular gases and semiconductors are used as the nonlinear media. Results for a hybrid bistable optical system are significant in providing an important test of current understanding of the dynamical behaviour of passive bistable systems.




Aspects of Chemical Evolution


Book Description

The Advances in Chemical Physics series provides the chemical physics and physical chemistry fields with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. Filled with cutting-edge research reported in a cohesive manner not found elsewhere in the literature, each volume of the Advances in Chemical Physics series serves as the perfect supplement to any advanced graduate class devoted to the study of chemical physics.