Phase transitions in systems of particles with only hard-core interactions

Abstract

This article contains our comments and views on the status of the current understanding of phase transitions in systems in thermodynamic equilibrium with only hard-core interactions, based on our work in this area. The equation of state for the hard sphere gas in d-dimensions is discussed. The universal repulsive Lee-Yang singularity in the complex activity plane, and its relation to the directed and undirected polymer models are outlined. We also discuss orientationally disordered crystalline mesophases, and some of their models.