Nonequilibrium Statistical Physics

by Röpke, Gerd

• ISBN13: 9783527410873
• ISBN10: 3527410872
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-04-15
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH

Summary

Authored by one of the top theoretical physicists in Germany, and a well-known authority in the field, this is the only coherent presentation of the subject suitable for masters and PhD students, as well as postdocs in physics and related disciplines. Starting from a general discussion of the nonequilibrium state, different standard approaches such as master equations, and kinetic and linear response theory, are derived after special assumptions. This allows for an insight into the problems of nonequilibrium physics, a discussion of the limits, and suggestions for improvements. Applications and typical examples are given, as well as fully worked problems (simple to advanced) with summaries for each chapter. The whole is rounded off by a comprehensive glossary.

Author Biography

Prof. Dr. Gerd R?pke is professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Rostock, Germamy. Having obtained his academic degrees from the University of Leipzig, he spent most of his career working at the Technical University Dresden before the appointment at Rostock. Professor R?pke has authored over 300 scientific publications on quantum statistics, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, plasma physics and nuclear theory, including several monographs, and received different awards. He is a member of the Saxonian Academy of Sciences and external member of the Max-Planck Society.

Table of Contents

Irreversibility: The arrow of time

Thermodynamics of irreversible processes

Stochastic processes with discrete event times

Birth and death processes and master equation

Brownian motion and Langevin equation

Derivation of the quantum master equation

Properties of the quantum master equation and examples

The Boltzmann equation

Solutions of the Boltzmann equation

The Vlasov-Landau equation and hydrodynamic equations

Linear response theory and generalized fluctuation dissipation theorem (FDT)

Generalized linear response approaches

Perturbation theory for manyparticle systems

Thermodynamic Green functions

Partial summation and manyparticle phenomena

Path integrals

Outlook: Nonequilibrium evolution and stochastic processes