Computational Physics

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Jos ThijssenCambridge University PressEdition: 2, 10/10/2013EAN 9781107677135, ISBN10: 1107677130Paperback, 638 pages, 24.4 x 17 x 3.7 cmLanguage: EnglishFirst published in 2007, t his second edition describes the computational methods used in theoretical physics. New sections were added to cover finite element methods and lattice Boltzmann simulation, density functional theory, quantum molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo simulation, and diagonalisation of one-dimensional quantum systems. It covers many different areas of physics research and different computational methodologies, including computational methods such as Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics, various electronic structure methodologies, methods for solving partial differential equations, and lattice gauge theory. Throughout the book the relations between the methods used in different fields of physics are emphasised. Several new programs are described and can be downloaded from www.cambridge.org/9781107677135. The book requires a background in elementary programming, numerical analysis, and field theory, as well as undergraduate knowledge of condensed matter theory and statistical physics. It will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in theoretical, computational and experimental physics.1. Introduction2. Quantum scattering with a spherically symmetric potential3. The variational method for the Schrödinger equation4. The Hartree–Fock method5. Density functional theory6. Solving the Schrödinger equation in periodic solids7. Classical equilibrium statistical mechanics8. Molecular dynamics simulations9. Quantum molecular dynamics10. The Monte Carlo method11. Transfer matrix and diagonalisation of spin chains12. Quantum Monte Carlo methods13. The infinite element method for partial differential equations14. The lattice Boltzmann method for fluid dynamics15. Computational methods for lattice field theories16. High performance computing and parallelismAppendix A. Numerical methodsAppendix B. Random number generatorsReferencesIndex.'The growing importance of computational physics to physics research as a whole will depend not only on increasingly powerful computers, but also on the continuing development of algorithms and numerical techniques for putting these machines to use. Furthermore, physics departments will need to augment their curricula to provide students with the skills needed to perform research using computers ... In Computational Physics, [Jos] Thijssen has produced a book that is well suited to meeting these needs ... This book makes it easier to approach a new topic and encourages the reader to consider a modular approach when writing programs.' Physics Today Show more