Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics

Description

This graduate-level text gives a self-contained exposition of fundamental topics in modern equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical thermodynamics. The text follows a balanced approach between the macroscopic (thermodynamic) and microscopic (statistical) points of view. The first half of the book deals with equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. In addition to standard subjects, the reader will find a detailed account of broken symmetries, critical phenomena and the renormalization group, as well as an introduction to numerical methods. The second half of the book is devoted to nonequilibrium phenomena, first following a macroscopic approach, with hydrodynamics as an important example. Kinetic theory receives a thorough treatment through analysis of the Boltzmann-Lorentz model and the Boltzmann equation. The book concludes with general nonequilibrium methods such as linear response, projection method and the Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations, including numerical simulations. This advanced textbook will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics.

Michel le Bellac is Emeritus Professor at the Physics Department of the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis. Fabrice Mortessagne is Maitre de Conferences at the Physics Department of the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis. G. George Batrouni is Professor of Physics at the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis.

'This book is an impressive contribution to the available selection of graduate statistical mechanics texts. ... The book is fun to browse because it contains many appealing informational nuggets. It also has an authoritative air and one can comfortably delve deeply into a particular section without feeling lost. ... this is an excellent book with a consistently high level of pedagogy throughout. I enthusiastically recommend it for any serious student of statistical physics.' Sidney Redner, Profess of Physics at Boston University 'This book contains both thermodynamics (macroscopic) and statistical mechanics (microscopic) which makes it ideal for teaching and research purposes. The 'problems' and 'exercises' sections should be invaluable for postgraduate studies.' Materials World