Synopses & Reviews
This concise introduction to the key concepts and tools of modern statistical mechanics is self-contained. Combining analytical and numerical techniques, it also covers advanced topics such as non-relativistic quantum field theory. After introducing classical analytical techniques, the authors present important numerical methods and a diverse range of applications. Quantum statistical mechanics is then analyzed and applied to topics in astrophysics and cosmology. Combining the authors' many years' experience of teaching courses in this area, this textbook is ideal for advanced students in physics, chemistry and mathematics.
About the Author
I. Sachs is Professor of Physics at the Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), München, Germany.S. Sen is the Deputy Director of the Hamilton Mathematics Institute Trinity College, Dublin and coauthor of Nash &Sen, Topology and Geometry for Physicists (ISBN 0125140819)J. C. Sexton is Director of High Performance Computing and also Associate Professor at the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics at Trinity College, Dublin.
Table of Contents
1. The problem; 2. Statistical mechanics; 3. Variations of a theme; 4. Handling interactions; 5. Monte Carlo integration; 6. Numerical molecular dynamics; 7. Quantum statistical mechanics; 8. Astrophysics; 9. Non-relativistic quantum field theory; 10. Superfluidity; 11. Path integrals; 12. A second look; 13. Phase transitions and the renormalization group.