Spin Glass Theory and Beyond. An Introduction to the Replica Method and Its Applications

This book contains a detailed and self-contained presentation of the replica theory of infinite range spin glasses. The authors also explain recent theoretical developments, paying particular attention to new applications in the study of optimization theory and neural networks. About two-thirds of the book are a collection of the most interesting and pedagogical articles on the subject. Contents: * Introduction * Spin Glasses:  The Replica Approach  The TAP Approach  Breaking the Replica Symmetry  The Nature of the Spin Glass Phase  The Cavity Method  Dynamics * Optimization:  Combinatorial Optimization Problems  Simulated Annealing  Analytical Results * Biological Applications:  Prebiotic Evolution and Spin Glasses. Brain Modelling. The Hopfield Model and its Variations * Reprints