Fractals and Disordered Systems

Fractals and disordered systems have recently become the focus of intense interest in research. This book discusses in great detail the effects of disorder on mesoscopic scales (fractures, aggregates, colloids, surfaces and interfaces, glasses and polymers) and presents tools to describe them in mathematical language. A substantial part is devoted to the development of scaling theories based on fractal concepts. In 10 chapters written by leading experts in the field, the reader is introduced to basic concepts and techniques in disordered systems and is led to the forefront of current research. In each chapter, the connection between theory and experiment is emphasized, and a special chapter on "Fractals and Experiment" presents experimental studies of fractal systems. This second edition has been substantially revised and updates the literature in this important field. It is pedagogically written and so will be useful for students, teachers, and scientists who want to become familiar with this facinating subject.