Statistical Physics in Random Media

[0229243] fisher该奖项支持随机介质统计物理的理论研究。淬灭的随机性极大地改变了许多系统的特性，尤其是它们的动力学特性。多种系统，其中许多自由度的相互作用，在随机介质将研究侧重于其行为的长时间尺度的普遍方面。一类这样的系统可以经历平衡相变，但由于必须克服大的自由能势垒，它们向平衡演化得非常缓慢。对于这些，特别是自旋玻璃，主导观察的非平衡构型的性质和他们努力达到的平衡状态都是令人感兴趣的。许多基本问题仍未得到解答。第二类随机系统是那些由于量子力学而动力学和平衡性质不可分割地联系在一起的系统。研究了量子涨落对超导性的破坏，重点是随机性、量子力学和耗散的综合效应。第三类，本质上远离平衡的驱动系统，可以经历新型的非平衡转变，例如从静止“相位”转向滑动“相位”。在更好地理解这种转变方面取得的进展将用于研究单断层和相互作用断层的地震动力学和统计。在实验室规模的裂缝的相关问题也将进行研究。这项理论研究将研究从磁玻璃到地震等各种随机系统。这项研究解决了一些基本问题。这些研究结果可能在实际材料中有更广泛的应用

0229243FisherThis award supports theoretical research on the statistical physics of random media. Quenched randomness drastically alters the properties of many systems, especially their dynamics. A variety of systems in which many degrees of freedom interact in random media will be studied focusing on long time scale universal aspects of their behavior.One class of such system can undergo equilibrium phase transitions but they evolve extremely slowly towards equilibrium because of the necessity of overcoming large free energy barriers. For these, in particular spin glasses, both the nature of the non-equilibrium configurations that dominate observations and the equilibrium states towards which they strive are of interest. Many fundamental questions remain unanswered. A second class of random systems are those in which the dynamics and equilibrium properties are inextricably linked because of quantum mechanics. The destruction of superconductivity by quantum fluctuations will be investigated, focusing on the combined effects of randomness, quantum mechanics and dissipation.A third class, driven systems which are intrinsically far from equilibrium, can undergo novel types of non-equilibrium transitions, such as depinning from a stationary to a sliding "phase." Progress towards a better understanding of such transitions will be used to investigate the dynamics and statistics of earthquakes both on single faults and on interacting faults. Related issues in laboratory scale fracture will also be studied.%%%This theoretical research will study a variety of random systems ranging from magnetic glasses to earthquakes. The research addresses fundamental issues. The results of these studies may have broader applications to real materials.***