Statistical Physics, Computer Simulation, and Probability

Google TechTalks Bay Area Discrete Math Day XII April 15, 2006, Raissa D'Souza (UC Davis)

Statistical physics, computer simulation and discrete mathematics are intimately related through the study of shared models. These are primarily lattice models, such as the Ising model, yet can also involve discrete structures such as networks. Several models illustrate the current interplay between these three fields, while also providing cautionary tales of interpolating results obtained in one realm to the other. This talk will survey several such models, focusing on pattern formation in a simple first-order jamming transition.