Landau theory

Landau theory (also known as Ginzburg–Landau theory, despite the confusing name^[1]) in physics is a theory that Lev Landau introduced in an attempt to formulate a general theory of continuous (i.e., second-order) phase transitions.^[2] It can also be adapted to systems under externally-applied fields, and used as a quantitative model for discontinuous (i.e., first-order) transitions. Although the theory has now been superseded by the renormalization group and scaling theory formulations, it remains an exceptionally broad and powerful framework for phase transitions, and the associated concept of the order parameter as a descriptor of the essential character of the transition has proven transformative.

^ Hohenberg, P. C.; Krekhov, A. P. (2015-04-04). "An introduction to the Ginzburg–Landau theory of phase transitions and nonequilibrium patterns". Physics Reports. 572: 1–42. arXiv:1410.7285. Bibcode:2015PhR...572....1H. doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2015.01.001. ISSN 0370-1573.
^ Lev D. Landau (1937). "On the Theory of Phase Transitions" (PDF). Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 7: 19-32. Archived from the original (PDF) on Dec 14, 2015.

[1] Hohenberg, P. C.; Krekhov, A. P. (2015-04-04). "An introduction to the Ginzburg–Landau theory of phase transitions and nonequilibrium patterns". Physics Reports. 572: 1–42. arXiv:1410.7285. Bibcode:2015PhR...572....1H. doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2015.01.001. ISSN 0370-1573.

[2] Lev D. Landau (1937). "On the Theory of Phase Transitions" (PDF). Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 7: 19-32. Archived from the original (PDF) on Dec 14, 2015.

[1]

[2]