Complex nonlinearity. Chaos, phase transitions, topology change and path integrals (Q925125)

Intended as a graduate-level monographic textbook this volume is devoted to a topological-differential geometric approach to the four notions added in title: chaos, phase transitions, topology change, path integrals. It consists of five chapters: Basics of Nonlinear and Chaotic Dynamics; Phase Transitions and Synergetics; Geometry and Topology Change in Complex Systems; Nonlinear Dynamics of Path Integrals; Complex Nonlinearity: Combining It All Together. All chapters are general but substantial introductions in the topics announced and is impressive the variety of tools included: Riemannian geometry for dynamical instability, Morse theory for phase transitions, ergodic theoy for chaos control and so on. This huge range of techniques can be useful for a beginner. The book has a very large list of references on almost 120 pages which is an excellent overview of the developments in these main areas of research and also a detailed and useful index. The book serves as an excellent companion volume to the recent work of the authors [Applied differential geometry. A modern introduction, (Hackensack), NJ: World Scientific (2007; Zbl 1126.53001)].