Catastrophe Theory and Phase Transitions

ISBN: 9783908450016 出版年：1993 页码：221 Trans Tech Publications Ltd

Catastrophe theory, which treats the singularities of smooth real-valued functions, refers to the unexpectedness of discontinous effects produced by continuos causes. Examples of this behaviour can be found throughout contemporary science. This theory can unify concepts and nomenclatures which have been in disarray for a long time because of their independent development in different scientific fields. Also, catastrophe theory emphazises metastable states, whereas "rigorous" statistical mechanics does not, and even denies their existence.