Contemporary Problems In Statistical Physics

This collection of independent articles describes some mathematical problems recently developed in statistical physics and theoretical chemistry. The book introduces and reviews current research on such topics as nonlinear systems and colored noise, stochastic resonance, percolation, the trapping problem in the theory of random walks, and diffusive models for chemical kinetics. Some of these topics have never before been presented in expository book form. Applied mathematicians will be introduced to some contemporary problems in statistical physics. In addition, a number of unsolved problems currently attracting intensive research efforts are described, and some of the techniques used in this research are outlined, along with principal results and outstanding questions. A wide spectrum of mathematical techniques is covered, but the main emphasis is on introducing the mathematician to different research areas with open and interesting problems. This is an ideal starting point for the mathematician with an elementary acquaintance with the methodology of statistical physics. The material is meant to be introductory and terms are carefully defined. Many topics that require further study are introduced, providing new research ideas for the applied mathematician or thesis problems for the graduate student.

This collection of independent articles describes some mathematical problems recently developed in statistical physics and theoretical chemistry. The book introduces and reviews current research on such topics as nonlinear systems and colored noise, stochastic resonance, percolation, the trapping problem in the theory of random walks, and diffusive models for chemical kinetics. Some of these topics have never before been presented in expository book form. Applied mathematicians will be introduced to some contemporary problems in statistical physics. In addition, a number of unsolved problems currently attracting intensive research efforts are described, and some of the techniques used in this research are outlined, along with principal results and outstanding questions. A wide spectrum of mathematical techniques is covered, but the main emphasis is on introducing the mathematician to different research areas with open and interesting problems. This is an ideal starting point for the mathematician with an elementary acquaintance with the methodology of statistical physics. The material is meant to be introductory and terms are carefully defined. Many topics that require further study are introduced, providing new research ideas for the applied mathematician or thesis problems for the graduate student.

This textbook for graduates and advanced undergraduates in physics and physical chemistry covers the major areas of statistical mechanics and concludes with the level of current research. It begins with the fundamental ideas of averages and ensembles, focusing on classical systems described by continuous variables such as position and momentum, and using the ideal gas as an example. It then turns to quantum systems, beginning with diatomic molecules and working up through blackbody radiation and chemical equilibria. The discussion of equilibrium properties of systems of interacting particles includes such techniques as cluster expansions and distribution functions and uses non-ideal gases, liquids, and solutions. Dynamic behavior -- treated here more extensively than in other texts -- is discussed from the point of view of correlation functions. The text concludes with the problem of diffusion in a suspension of interacting hard spheres and what can be learned about such a system from scattered light. Intended for a one-semester course, the text includes several "asides" on topics usually omitted from introductory courses, as well as numerous exercises.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part looks at the modeling of statistical systems before moving on to an analysis of these systems. This second edition contains new material on: estimators based on a probability distribution for the parameters; identification of stochastic models from observations; and statistical tests and classification methods.

Statistical Physics offers an advanced treatment with numerous applications to modern problems of relevance to researchers and students. Supplementing the concepts and methods employed in statistical mechanics, the book also covers the fundamentals of probability and statistics, mathematical statistics, and stochastic methods for the analysis of data. It is divided into two parts, the first focusing on the modeling of statistical systems, the second on the analysis of these systems.

Going beyond traditional textbook topics, 'A Modern Course in Statistical Physics' incorporates contemporary research in a basic course on statistical mechanics. From the universal nature of matter to the latest results in the spectral properties of decay processes, this book emphasizes the theoretical foundations derived from thermodynamics and probability theory underlying all concepts in statistical physics. This completely revised and updated third edition continues the comprehensive coverage of numerous core topics and special applications, allowing professors flexibility in designing individualized courses. The inclusion of advanced topics and extensive references makes this an invaluable resource for researchers as well as students -- a textbook that will be kept on the shelf long after the course is completed.

In order to equip hopeful graduate students with the knowledge necessary to pass the qualifying examination, the authors have assembled and solved standard and original problems from major American universities – Boston University, University of Chicago, University of Colorado at Boulder, Columbia, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, MIT, Princeton, Rutgers, Stanford, Stony Brook, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison – and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. A wide range of material is covered and comparisons are made between similar problems of different schools to provide the student with enough information to feel comfortable and confident at the exam. Guide to Physics Problems is published in two volumes: this book, Part 2, covers Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics; Part 1, covers Mechanics, Relativity and Electrodynamics. Praise for A Guide to Physics Problems: Part 2: Thermodynamics, Statistical Physics, and Quantum Mechanics: "... A Guide to Physics Problems, Part 2 not only serves an important function, but is a pleasure to read. By selecting problems from different universities and even different scientific cultures, the authors have effectively avoided a one-sided approach to physics. All the problems are good, some are very interesting, some positively intriguing, a few are crazy; but all of them stimulate the reader to think about physics, not merely to train you to pass an exam. I personally received considerable pleasure in working the problems, and I would guess that anyone who wants to be a professional physicist would experience similar enjoyment. ... This book will be a great help to students and professors, as well as a source of pleasure and enjoyment." (From Foreword by Max Dresden) "An excellent resource for graduate students in physics and, one expects, also for their teachers." (Daniel Kleppner, Lester Wolfe Professor of Physics Emeritus, MIT) "A nice selection of problems ... Thought-provoking, entertaining, and just plain fun to solve." (Giovanni Vignale, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri at Columbia) "Interesting indeed and enjoyable. The problems are ingenious and their solutions very informative. I would certainly recommend it to all graduate students and physicists in general ... Particularly useful for teachers who would like to think about problems to present in their course." (Joel Lebowitz, Rutgers University) "A very thoroughly assembled, interesting set of problems that covers the key areas of physics addressed by Ph.D. qualifying exams. ... Will prove most useful to both faculty and students. Indeed, I plan to use this material as a source of examples and illustrations that will be worked into my lectures." (Douglas Mills, University of California at Irvine)

This volume comprises about forty research papers and essays covering a wide range of subjects in the forefront of contemporary statistical physics. The contributors are renown scientists and leading authorities in several different fields. This book is dedicated to Péter Szépfalusy on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. Emphasis is placed on his two main areas of research, namely phase transitions and chaotic dynamical systems, as they share common aspects like the applicability of the probabilistic approach or scaling behaviour and universality. Several papers deal with equilibrium phase transitions, critical dynamics, and pattern formation. Also represented are disordered systems, random field systems, growth processes, and neural network. Statistical properties of interacting electron gases, such as the Kondo lattice, the Wigner crystal, and the Hubbard model, are treated. In the field of chaos, Hamiltonian transport and resonances, strange attractors, multifractal characteristics of chaos, and the effect of weak perturbations are discussed. A separate section is devoted to selected mathematical aspects of dynamical systems like the foundation of statistical mechanics, including the problem of ergodicity, and rigorous results on quantum chaos.