This textbook concentrates on modern topics in statistical physics with an emphasis on strongly interacting condensed matter systems. The book is self-contained and is suitable for beginning graduate students in physics and materials science or undergraduates who have taken an introductory course in statistical mechanics. Phase transitions and critical phenomena are discussed in detail including mean field and Landau theories and the renormalization group approach. The theories are applied to a number of interesting systems such as magnets, liquid crystals, polymers, membranes, interacting Bose and Fermi fluids; disordered systems, percolation and spin of equilibrium concepts are also discussed. Computer simulations of condensed matter systems by Monte Carlo-based and molecular dynamics methods are treated.

This is a textbook which gradually introduces the student to the statistical mechanical study of the different phases of matter and to the phase transitions between them. Throughout, only simple models of both ordinary and soft matter are used but these are studied in full detail. The subject is developed in a pedagogical manner, starting from the basics, going from the simple ideal systems to the interacting systems, and ending with the more modern topics. The textbook provides the student with a complete overview, intentionally at an introductory level, of the theory of phase transitions. All equations and deductions are included.

Key features include an elementary introduction to probability, distribution functions, and uncertainty; a review of the concept and significance of energy; and various models of physical systems. 1968 edition.

A self-contained, mathematical introduction to the driving ideas in equilibrium statistical mechanics, studying important models in detail.

Groundbreaking monograph by Nobel Prize winner for researchers and graduate students covers Liouville equation, anharmonic solids, Brownian motion, weakly coupled gases, scattering theory and short-range forces, general kinetic equations, more. 1962 edition.

This modern textbook provides a complete survey of the broad field of statistical mechanics. Based on a series of lectures, it adopts a special pedagogical approach. The authors, both excellent lecturers, clearly distinguish between general principles and their applications in solving problems. Analogies between phase transitions in fluids and magnets using continuum and spin models are emphasized, leading to a better understanding. Such special features as historical notes, summaries, problems, mathematical appendix, computer programs and order of magnitude estimations distinguish this volume from competing works. Due to its ambitious level and an extensive list of references for technical details on advanced topics, this is equally a must for researchers in condensed matter physics, materials science, polymer science, solid state physics, and astrophysics. From the contents Thermostatics: phase stability, phase equilibria, phase transitions; Statistical Mechanics: calculation, correlation functions, ideal classical gases, ideal quantum gases; Interacting Systems: models, computer simulation, mean-field approximation; Interacting Systems beyond Mean-field Theory: scaling and renormalization group, foundations of statistical mechanics "The present book, however, is unique that it both is written in a very pedagogic, easily comprehensible style, and, nevertheless, goes from the basic principles all the way to these modern topics, containing several chapters on the various approaches of mean field theory, and a chapter on computer simulation. A characteristic feature of this book is that often first some qualitative arguments are given, or a "pedestrians's approach", and then a more general and/or more rigorous derivation is presented as well. Particularly useful are also "supplementary notes", pointing out interesting applications and further developments of the subject, a detailed bibliography, problems and historical notes, and many pedagogic figures."

Publisher Description

This self-contained volume introduces modern methods of statistical mechanics in turbulence, with three harmonised lecture courses by world class experts.

Statistical Physics I discusses the fundamentals of equilibrium statistical mechanics, focussing on basic physical aspects. No previous knowledge of thermodynamics or the molecular theory of gases is assumed. Illustrative examples based on simple materials and photon systems elucidate the central ideas and methods.