The Physics of Structural Phase Transitions
The Physics of Structural Phase Transitions

Author: Minoru Fujimoto

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-06

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 0387268332

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Phase transitions in which crystalline solids undergo structural changes present an interesting problem in the interplay between the crystal structure and the ordering process. This text, intended for readers with some prior knowledge of condensed-matter physics, emphasizes the basic physics behind such spontaneous structural changes in crystals. Starting with the relevant thermodynamic principles, the book discusses the nature of order variables and their collective motion in a crystal lattice; in a structural phase transition a singularity in such a collective mode is responsible for the lattice instability, as revealed by soft phonons. This mechanism is analogous to the interplay of a charge-density wave and a periodically deformed lattice in low-dimensional conductors. The text also describes experimental methods for modulated crystal structures and gives examples of structural changes in representative systems. The book is divided into two parts. The first, theoretical, part includes such topics as: the Landau theory of phase transitions; statistics, correlations and the mean-field approximation; pseudospins and their collective modes; soft lattice modes and pseudospin condensates; lattice imperfections and their role in the phase transitions of real crystals. The second part discusses experimental studies of modulated crystals using x-ray diffraction, neutron inelastic scattering, light scattering, dielectric measurements, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Structural Phase Transitions in Layered Transition Metal Compounds
Structural Phase Transitions in Layered Transition Metal Compounds

Author: K. Motizuki

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 309

ISBN-13: 9400945760

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The structural phase transition is one of the most fundamental problems in solid state physics. Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides provide us with a most exciting area for the study of structural phase transitions that are associated with the charge density wave (CDW). A large variety of structural phase transitions, such as commensurate and incommensurate transitions, and the physical proper ties related to the formation of a CDW, have been an object of intense study made for many years by methods employing modem microscopic techniques. Rather recently, efforts have been devoted to the theoretical understanding of these experimental results. Thus, McMillan, for example, has developed an elegant phenomenological theory on the basis of the Landau free energy expansion. An extension of McMillan's theory has provided a successful understanding of the successive phase transitions observed in the IT- and 2H-compounds. In addition, a microscopic theory of lattice instability, lattice dynamics, and lattice distortion in the CDW state of the transition-metal dichalcogenides has been developed based on their electronic structures. As a result, the driving force of the CDW formation in the IT- and 2H-compounds has become clear. Furthermore, the effect of lattice fluctuations on the CDW transition and on the anomalous behavior of various physical properties has been made clear microscopically.

Reconstructive Phase Transitions
Reconstructive Phase Transitions

Author: Pierre Tol‚dano

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 424

ISBN-13: 9789810223649

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This book deals with the phenomenological theory of first-order structural phase transitions, with a special emphasis on reconstructive transformations in which a group-subgroup relationship between the symmetries of the phases is absent. It starts with a unified presentation of the current approach to first-order phase transitions, using the more recent results of the Landau theory of phase transitions and of the theory of singularities. A general theory of reconstructive phase transitions is then formulated, in which the structures surrounding a transition are expressed in terms of density-waves, providing a natural definition of the transition order-parameters, and a description of the corresponding phase diagrams and relevant physical properties. The applicability of the theory is illustrated by a large number of concrete examples pertaining to the various classes of reconstructive transitions: allotropic transformations of the elements, displacive and order-disorder transformations in metals, alloys and related structures, crystal-quasicrystal transformations.

Structural Phase Transitions II
Structural Phase Transitions II

Author: K. Alex Müller

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-14

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 3662101130

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Structural Phase Transitions II, like its predecessor (Topics in Current Physics, Vol. 23), presents selected methods and recent advances in the experimental investigation of phase transitions in solids. The two chapters in this volume deal with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and with nuclear magnetic and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NMR-NQR). Both techniques are particularly sensitive to local properties. The chapter on EPR concentrates largely on the investigation of static properties, including mean-field behaviour, critical and multicritical phenomena, whilst NMR is shown to be a powerful tool for studying nonlinear dynamics, incommensurate transitions, and disordered systems. This book will serve as an excellent introduction to the methodology and applications of EPR and NMR-NQR for all those wishing to become acquainted with these important tools for studying structural phase transitions.

Electronic Phase Transitions
Electronic Phase Transitions

Author: Yu.V. Kopaev

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2012-12-02

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0444600396

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Electronic Phase Transitions deals with topics, which are presently at the forefront of scientific research in modern solid-state theory. Anderson localization, which has fundamental implications in many areas of solid-state physics as well as spin glasses, with its influence on quite different research activities such as neural networks, are two examples that are reviewed in this book. The ab initio statistical mechanics of structural phase transitions is another prime example, where the interplay and connection of two unrelated disciplines of solid-state theory - first principle electronic structure calculations and critical phenomena - has given rise to impressive new insights. Clearly, there is more and more need for accurate, stable numerical simulations of models of interacting electrons, presently discussed with great vigor in connection with high-Tc superconductors where the superconducting transition is close to a magnetic transition, i.e. an antiferromagnetic spin structure. These topics and others are discussed and reviewed by leading experts in the field.

Theory of Structural Transformations in Solids
Theory of Structural Transformations in Solids

Author: Armen G. Khachaturyan

Publisher: Courier Corporation

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 594

ISBN-13: 0486462803

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Written by a world-renowned expert, this text addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of phase transformation in alloys. It examines change in atomic structure and morphology caused by ordering, strain-induced ordering, strain-controlled decomposition, and strain-induced coarsening, applying solid-state theoretical concepts to structure problems. 1983 edition.

Phase Transitions in Ferroelastic and Co-elastic Crystals
Phase Transitions in Ferroelastic and Co-elastic Crystals

Author: E. K. Salje

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1993-04-22

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780521429368

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This textbook describes the fundamental principles of structural phase transitions in materials in an easily understandable form, suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Photoinduced Phase Transitions
Photoinduced Phase Transitions

Author: K. Nasu

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 360

ISBN-13: 9789812565723

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A new class of insulating solids was recently discovered. Whenirradiated by a few visible photons, these solids give rise to amacroscopic excited domain that has new structural and electronicorders quite different from the starting ground state. This occurrenceis called photoinduced phase transition, and this multi-authoredbook reviews recent theoretical and experimental studies of this newphenomenon.