This paper outlines the beginnings of a general theory of critical events. Four types are defined. Two are micro-events each affecting a small number of people and are shown to arise in everyday life. Two are macro-events that affect large numbers of people and are related to ‘shocks’ in...

After a brief general overview of Monte Carlo computer simulations in statistical physics, special emphasis is placed on applications to phase transitions and critical phenomena. Here, standard simulations employing local update algorithms are severely hampered by the problem of critical slowing...

Data compressors available in the web have been used to determine magnetic phases for two-dimensional (2D) systems [E. Vogel, G. Saravia, F. Bachmann, B. Fierro, J. Fischer, Phase transitions in Edwards-Anderson model by means of information theory, Physica A 388 2009 4075–4082]. In the...

A quantum spherical version of the site-random XY model in the presence of random field is presented in the boson space. In the phase diagram drawn as a function of the strength of random field, we find that the ferromagnetic and spin-glass phases are reduced by quantum fluctuations and...

We study phase transitions of two-dimensional Lennard-Jones drops. A wide excitation energy range is studied, which encompasses the solid-like to liquid-like phase transition, the weakly evaporating liquid drop and multifragmentation. We are able to calculate the caloric curve for the whole...

The quantum mechanical version of a classical model for studying the orientational degrees of freedom corresponding to a nematic liquid composed of biaxial molecules is presented. The effective degrees of freedom are described by operators carrying an SU(3) representation, which allows the...

An analytical description of the nucleation stage in a supersaturated vapor with instantly created supersaturation is given with taking into account the vapor concentration inhomogeneities arising as a result of depletion due to nonstationary diffusion onto growing droplets. This description is...

A two or more chemically different homopolymers attached to a single junction point form a macromolecule of miktoarm star copolymer. The model of such copolymer composed of an arbitrary number of types of homopolymer arms is considered. The lengths distributions of arms are assumed to be...

The transition feature of a ferroelectric thin film with a seeding layer is studied based on the transverse Ising model. The influence of the seeding layer on the transition behavior of a ferroelectric thin film is investigated systemically, and the effect of the interaction parameters for the...

The Ising model in a transverse field, which involves quantum tunneling in double potential wells, has been used for many years to describe ferroelectric phase transitions. An alternative model previously published takes into account the effect of a non-negligible zero-point energy in the double...