Course Code
P302
Credit
8
Total Hours
42 Lectures + 14 Tutorials
Outcome of the Course
The course trains the student in basics of statistical mechanics, introduces important concepts like the density matrix, different kinds of quantum statistics and the idea of fluctuation dissipation theorem.
Approval
Syllabus
- Basics of Probability Theory: Probability distribution, cumulants, central limit theorem; laws of large numbers
- Fundamentals of statistical mechanics: Phase space and Liouville theorem; microscopic definition of entropy, ergodic hypothesis
- Ensembles theory: Microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles
- Gibbs Paradox, Energy and density fluctuations. Application to ideal gases, spin and non-interacting systems
- Review of thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics and entropy, Thermodynamic potentials and thermodynamic stability
- Quantum Statistical Mechanics: Ideal quantum gases; Bose and Fermi distribution; phonons, photons; Fermi sea; density matrix formulation. Examples: electrons in metal, black body radiation, Bose-Einstein condensation and white dwarf
- Deviations from ideal gas law behavior: Van der Waals equation, liquid-gas transition, Maxwell construction, phase diagram of water
Reference Books
- Statistical Physics by F. Reif
- Introduction to Statistical Physics by Kerson Huang
- Statistical Mechanics by R. K. Pathria and P. D. Beale
- Statistical Physics of Particles by M. Kardar
- Introduction to Modern Statistical Mechanics by D. Chandler
- Statistical Mechanics by R.P. Feynman
- Statistical Physics (Vol. I) by L. Landau and E. Lifshitz