Uniform Treatment of Fluctuations at Critical Points.
Abstract
A generalized critical point is characterized by the vanishing of certain linear relationships. In particular, the dynamics near such a point are completely nonlinear. This paper analyzes fluctuations at such points of spatially homogeneous systems. Thermodynamic critical points are discussed as a special case; but the main emphasis is on stochastic kinetic equations. Fluctuations at a critical point cannot be characterized by a Gaussian density, but more sophisticated densities yield reasonable results. The theory is applied to the critical harmonic oscillator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058539
Entities
People
- Marc Mangel
Organizations
- Center for Naval Analyses