Solitons in Crystalline Processes (2nd Edition) : Irreversible thermodynamics of structural phase transitions and superconductivity

An introduction to the statistical thermodynamics of phase transitions in crystallized solids, polymers and liquid crystals. Written as an introductory treatise with respect to the soliton concept, the book examines structural transitions where the crystal symmetry changes, magnets and superconductors, and describes the role of nonlinear excitations in detail.