Indistinguishable Classical Particles

Indistinguishable Classical Particles
Author: Alexander Bach
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2008-11-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540496246

Here, the concept of indistinguishability is defined for identical particles by the symmetry of the state, therefore applying to both the classical and the quantum framework. The author describes symmetric statistical operators and classifies these by means of extreme points. He derives de Finettis theorem for the description of infinitely extendible interchangeable random variables, and presents generalisations covering the Poisson limit and the central limit. Finally, a characterisation and interpretation of the integral representations of classical photon states in quantum optics are derived in abelian subalgebras, and unextendible indistinguishable particles are analysed in the context of non-classical photon states. Suitable for mathematical physicists and philosophers of science.

Problems on Statistical Mechanics

Problems on Statistical Mechanics
Author: D.A.R Dalvit
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 784
Release: 1999-01-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781420050875

A thorough understanding of statistical mechanics depends strongly on the insights and manipulative skills that are acquired through the solving of problems. Problems on Statistical Mechanics provides over 120 problems with model solutions, illustrating both basic principles and applications that range from solid-state physics to cosmology. An introductory chapter provides a summary of the basic concepts and results that are needed to tackle the problems, and also serves to establish the notation that is used throughout the book. The problems themselves occupy five chapters, progressing from the simpler aspects of thermodynamics and equilibrium statistical ensembles to the more challenging ideas associated with strongly interacting systems and nonequilibrium processes. Comprehensive solutions to all of the problems are designed to illustrate efficient and elegant problem-solving techniques. Where appropriate, the authors incorporate extended discussions of the points of principle that arise in the course of the solutions. The appendix provides useful mathematical formulae.

Symmetries in Physics

Symmetries in Physics
Author: Katherine Brading
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 459
Release: 2003-12-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139442023

This book brings together philosophical discussions of symmetry in physics, highlighting the main issues and controversies. It covers all the fundamental symmetries of modern physics, as well as discussing symmetry-breaking and general interpretational issues. For each topic, classic texts are followed by review articles and short commentaries.

Quantum Mechanics

Quantum Mechanics
Author: Gennaro Auletta
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 759
Release: 2009-04-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139478451

The important changes quantum mechanics has undergone in recent years are reflected in this approach for students. A strong narrative and over 300 worked problems lead the student from experiment, through general principles of the theory, to modern applications. Stepping through results allows students to gain a thorough understanding. Starting with basic quantum mechanics, the book moves on to more advanced theory, followed by applications, perturbation methods and special fields, and ending with developments in the field. Historical, mathematical and philosophical boxes guide the student through the theory. Unique to this textbook are chapters on measurement and quantum optics, both at the forefront of current research. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from this perspective on the fundamental physical paradigm and its applications. Online resources including solutions to selected problems, and 200 figures, with colour versions of some figures, are available at www.cambridge.org/Auletta.

Fundamentals of Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics

Fundamentals of Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics
Author: Bimalendu N. Roy
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 788
Release: 2002-03-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780470843130

Die Grundlagen der klassischen und der statistischen Thermodynamik werden hier in solider Weise anhand sorgfältig durchdachter Argumentationen eingeführt, ergänzt durch zahlreiche Beispiele und Anwendungen. Systematisch werden die Grundbegriffe der Atomtheorie erarbeitet. Gestützt auf diese Kenntnisse kann der Leser dann die Beschreibung und Vorhersage der Eigenschaften makroskopischer Systeme erlernen.

The Foundations of Quantum Theory

The Foundations of Quantum Theory
Author: Sol Wieder
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323141714

The Foundations of Quantum Theory discusses the correspondence between the classical and quantum theories through the Poisson bracket-commutator analogy. The book is organized into three parts encompassing 12 chapters that cover topics on one-and many-particle systems and relativistic quantum mechanics and field theory. The first part of the book discusses the developments that formed the basis for the old quantum theory and the use of classical mechanics to develop the theory of quantum mechanics. This part includes considerable chapters on the formal theory of quantum mechanics and the wave mechanics in one- and three-dimension, with an emphasis on Coulomb problem or the hydrogen atom. The second part deals with the interacting particles and noninteracting indistinguishable particles and the material covered is fundamental to almost all branches of physics. The third part presents the pertinent equations used to illustrate the relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. This book is of value to undergraduate physics students and to students who have background in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.

Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Molecular Simulation

Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Molecular Simulation
Author: Mark Tuckerman
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 719
Release: 2010-02-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0191523461

Complex systems that bridge the traditional disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science can be studied at an unprecedented level of detail using increasingly sophisticated theoretical methodology and high-speed computers. The aim of this book is to prepare burgeoning users and developers to become active participants in this exciting and rapidly advancing research area by uniting for the first time, in one monograph, the basic concepts of equilibrium and time-dependent statistical mechanics with the modern techniques used to solve the complex problems that arise in real-world applications. The book contains a detailed review of classical and quantum mechanics, in-depth discussions of the most commonly used ensembles simultaneously with modern computational techniques such as molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo, and important topics including free-energy calculations, linear-response theory, harmonic baths and the generalized Langevin equation, critical phenomena, and advanced conformational sampling methods. Burgeoning users and developers are thus provided firm grounding to become active participants in this exciting and rapidly advancing research area, while experienced practitioners will find the book to be a useful reference tool for the field.

Identity in Physics

Identity in Physics
Author: Steven French
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 439
Release: 2006-06-22
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0199278245

Can quantum particles be regarded as individuals, just like books, tables and people? According to the 'received' view - articulated by several physicists in the immediate aftermath of the quantum revolution - quantum physics itself tells us they cannot: quantum particles, unlike their classical counterparts, must be regarded as 'non-individuals' in some sense. However, recent work has indicated that this is not the whole story and that the theory is also consistent with theposition that such particles can be taken to be individuals, albeit at a metaphysical price.Drawing on philosophical accounts of identity and individuality, as well as the histories of both classical and quantum physics, the authors explore these two alternative metaphysical packages. In particular, they argue that if quantum particles are regarded as individuals, then Leibniz's famous Principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles is in fact violated. Recent discussions of this conclusion are analysed in detail and, again, the costs involved in saving the Principle are carefullyconsidered.Taking the alternative package, the authors deploy recent work in non-standard logic and set theory to indicate how we can make sense of the idea that objects can be non-individuals. The concluding chapter suggests how these results might then be extended to quantum field theory.Identity in Physics brings together a range of work in this area and further develops the authors' own contributions to the debate. Uniquely, as the title indicates, it situates this work in the appropriate formal, historical, and philosophical contexts.