US-France Cooperative Research: Topics in Statistical Physics

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This three-year award supports collaborative research in statistical mechanics between Fa Y. Wu, Northeastern University with Jean- Marie Maillard, University of Paris. They will collaborate on models of critical point phenomena, such as boiling and freezing, and phase transitions. They will examine the chiral Potts model, gauge transformations, other 3-state vertex models and the theory of transmissivity as applied to these models. The investigators will focus on exact solutions, but will also utilize numerical approaches and computer simulation, which is important to finding exact results. Analytical studies and computer simulations will be performed by Wu and Maillard on massive parallel computers. Critical point phenomena and phase transitions are active areas of research in condensed matter theory. This work also impacts theoretical physics and applied mathematics. Dr. Wu is a theoretician. He will provide theoretical guidance and analytical expertise. Dr. Maillard is experienced in computer simulations on the chiral Potts model and other 3-state vertex models. The project will benefit from their complementary expertise and parallel computer facilities.