The Statistical Theory Of Spectra In Nuclear Physics

This book a first comprehensive review on statistical spectroscopy deals with two related yet distinct topics a" averages and fluctuations. While fluctuations have been dealt with in considerable detail in Porter's book entitled Statistical Theories of Spectra: Fluctuations and subsequent reviews and books there does not exist at present a similar treatise on averages. This unique volume is designed to fill this significant gap.The book begins with an introductory review and overview of the subject of spectral distributions initiated by J Bruce French in the 60's followed by a collection of original papers which continue to give new insight on average properties of spectra. The purpose is to highlight the considerable advancements made in the application of statistical spectroscopy to nuclear structure and to encourage new directions in random matrix theory many-body chaos and statistical mechanics of finite quantum systems such as nuclei atoms molecules quantum dots etc.Along with Wong's book entitled Nuclear Statistical Spectroscopy this volume would be useful to a reader looking for a thorough introduction to the subject as well as to the specialist contemplating new applications. Finally with most of the material available in one place this book would be ideal in the design of graduate courses in statistical spectroscopy suited to specific needs.

Thomas Brody had one of the most powerful and wide-ranging intellects of his generation. Although primarily a physicist who worked on statistical prob lems in nuclear physics, on probability theory and on computational physics he had an extensive knowledge of the philosophy of science and of philosophy, and was fluent in many languages. He is well-known among physicists for the Brody-Moshinsky transformation but his extensive work on probability and on the philosophy of science remained almost unknown. This was because the originality of his ideas entailed many lengthy battles with uncomprehending referees, and he frequently published in Mexican journals of limited circula tion. In addition, his strongly critical spirit inhibited his willingness to publish his ideas. He was always most concerned by the very unsatisfactory situation in the philosophy of physics, that is largely due to the generally poor knowledge that physicists and philosophers have of each other's disciplines. Philosophers of science write at length about physics without any detailed first-hand knowl edge of how research is actually carried out. Physicists, for their part, often implicitly assume naive or erroneous philosophical ideas, and this often hinders their scientific work, besides spreading further confusion if they try to give an account of what they are doing.

This book, written by a non-statistician for non-statisticians, emphasises the practical approach to those problems in statistics which arise regularly in data analysis situations in nuclear and high-energy physics experiments. Rather than concentrating on formal proofs of theorems, an abundant use of simple examples illustrates the general ideas which are presented, showing the reader how to obtain the maximum information from the data in the simplest manner. Possible difficulties with the various techniques, and pitfalls to be avoided, are also discussed. Based on a series of lectures given by the author to both students and staff at Oxford, this common-sense approach to statistics will enable nuclear physicists to understand better how to do justice to their data in both analysis and interpretation.