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Preferred term

Lee-Yang theory  

Definition

  • In statistical mechanics, Lee–Yang theory, sometimes also known as Yang–Lee theory, is a scientific theory which seeks to describe phase transitions in large physical systems in the thermodynamic limit based on the properties of small, finite-size systems. The theory revolves around the complex zeros of partition functions of finite-size systems and how these may reveal the existence of phase transitions in the thermodynamic limit. Lee–Yang theory constitutes an indispensable part of the theories of phase transitions. Originally developed for the Ising model, the theory has been extended and applied to a wide range of models and phenomena, including protein folding, percolation, complex networks, and molecular zippers. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee%E2%80%93Yang_theory)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • Yang-Lee theory

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-B7HW0W0V-7

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