Optimization algorithms in physics / Alexander K. Hartmann, Heiko Rieger

Includes bibliographical references and index

This book serves as an introduction to combinatorial optimization and related problems of statistical physics. The authors provide optimization algorithms, both exact and approximative, addressed to physical applications. They stress presenting the algorithms and explaining how they work, as well as the transformation of the models into mathematical adequate structures. Many illustrations show the operation of the algorithms for small sample systems. Typical applications of optimization methods using computers in physics are presented, such as small world networks, random field systems, solid-on solid models, travelling salesman problem, Glassy systems, orbital parameters of interacting galaxies, and 3D spin glasses