Maximum Entropy in Action
A Collection of Expository Essays
Published on 8. August 1991
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-0-19-853963-6 (ISBN)
Description
The Maximum Entropy Method and the related Bayesian Probability Theory have recently become somewhat better known to research workers; but the power of these methods to resolve the true structures underlying many kinds of data is still not as widely recognized as it ought to be.
This book is the first readily available account of such methods. It grew out of a series of interdisciplinary seminars, organized by the editors, and given by leading proponents of maximum entropy techniques in the UK. The written versions are intended to introduce the reader to the principles of probability theory, viewed as the logic of inference, and to explain the role that entropy plays in the assignment of probabilities. The chapters concerned with applications show how the resulting algorithms can be implemented and how they work out in practice.
In addition, new light is shed upon the relation between statistical and dynamical theories in physics, and on the confusion which surrounds the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
This book is the first readily available account of such methods. It grew out of a series of interdisciplinary seminars, organized by the editors, and given by leading proponents of maximum entropy techniques in the UK. The written versions are intended to introduce the reader to the principles of probability theory, viewed as the logic of inference, and to explain the role that entropy plays in the assignment of probabilities. The chapters concerned with applications show how the resulting algorithms can be implemented and how they work out in practice.
In addition, new light is shed upon the relation between statistical and dynamical theories in physics, and on the confusion which surrounds the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Reviews / Votes
'the book is quite up-to-date ... generally very positive impression given by this book, which includes research results extending up to 1991 ... This fascinating universal concept opens up many new possibilities for the analysis of spectra, images, and X-ray scattering data. Because of the wide range of aspects covered in this book, it can be thoroughly recommended.'Christian Griesinger, Institut fuer Organische Chemie der Universitaet Frankfurt/Main, Angewandte Chemie, 31/7, 1992 'a useful and enlightening introduction to the general subject area and a reader interested in learning about possible applications of maximum entropy techniques could do far worse than to start by reading the concrete subject-centered articles in this volume'
George H. Weiss, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 70, Nos 3/4, 1993 The volume is rather welcome not only because it is almost unique in this field, but also because it spans commendably the gulf between elementary ideas and their technical applications ... a collection of nice expositions that can provide a solid introduction to the use of maximum-entropy techniques in data analysis, and in that sense fills a definite need. * W.T. Grandy, University of Wyoming, Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, Vol. 57, No. 1, 1995 * The volume is rather welcome not only because it is almost unique in this field, but also because it spans commendably the gulf between elementary ideas and their technical applications ... a collection of nice expositions that can provide a solid introduction to the use of maximum-entropy techniques in data analysis, and in that sense fills a definite need. * W.T. Grandy, University of Wyoming, Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, Vol. 57, No. 1, 1995 *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
numerous line illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
389 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-853963-6 (9780198539636)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Preface; Editors' introduction; About the authors; G.J. Daniell: Of maps and monkeys - an introduction to the maximum entropy method; J. Skilling: Fundamentals of MaxEnt in data analysis; P.J. Hore: Maximum entropy and nuclear magnetic resonance; S. Davies, K.J. Packer, A. Baruya, & A.I. Grant: Enhanced information recovery in spectroscopy using the maximum entropy method; G.A. Cottrell: Maximum entropy and plasma physics; A.J.M. Garrett: Macroreversibility and microreversibility reconciled - the second law; S.F. Gull: Some misconceptions about entropy; G. Bricogne: The X-ray crystallographic phase problem; Index.