Approximation Theory for Matrices

We review the theory of optimal polynomial and rational Chebyshev approximations, and Zolotarev's formula for the sign function over the range (\epsilon \leq |z| \leq1). We explain how rational approximations can be applied to large sparse matrices efficiently by making use of partial fraction expansions and multi-shift Krylov space solvers.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Algorithms and error bounds for multivariate piecewise constant approximation

We review the surprisingly rich theory of approximation of functions of many vari- ables by piecewise constants. This covers for example the Sobolev-Poincar´e inequalities, parts of the theory of nonlinear approximation, Haar wavelets and tree approximation, as well as recent results about approximation orders achievable on anisotropic partitions

Spin-fluctuation theory beyond Gaussian approximation

A characteristic feature of the Gaussian approximation in the functional-integral approach to the spin-fluctuation theory is the jump phase transition to the paramagnetic state. We eliminate the jump and obtain a continuous second-order phase transition by taking into account high-order terms in the expansion of the free energy in powers of the fluctuating exchange field. The third-order term of the free energy renormalizes the mean field, and fourth-order term, responsible for the interaction of the fluctuations, renormalizes the spin susceptibility. The extended theory is applied to the calculation of magnetic properties of Fe-Ni Invar.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Statistical field theory for simple fluids: the collective variables representation

An alternative representation of an exact statistical field theory for simple fluids, based on the method of collective variables, is presented. The results obtained are examined from the point of another version of theory that was developed recently by performing a Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation of the configurational Boltzmann factor [J.-M. Caillol, Mol. Phys. 101 (2003) 1617]. The analytical expressions for the pressure and the free energy are derived in two-loop approximation for both versions of theory and it is shown that they are indeed equivalent.The results yield a new type approximation within an untested approximation scheme