The Landau theory of phase transitions : application to structural, incommensurate, magnetic, and liquid crystal systems

The contents of this book stems from three different objectives. First, it is an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of Landau's theory, which is intended for teaching purposes. A second purpose of the book provides the practical methods for applying Landau's theory to complex systems. The last objective of the book is to incorporate the developments which have arisen in the last fifteen years from the extensive application of the theory to a variety of physical systems.