|
|
|
|
|
|
Course Description: Physics 510 is a graduate course on Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. These two subjects provide simple and powerful tools to study complex systems (with very many degrees of freedom). The results have very broad applications, widely used throughout science and engineering.
Pre-requisites:
a one semester course in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
is required.
If you have not taken this course, then it will be necessary
to first complete Physics 406, and then afterwards take
Physics 510 (which assumes a prior knowledge of Physics 406
material).
Other undergraduate courses in physics are a prerequisite
for taking this graduate course
(e.g., standard two semesters of quantum mechanics,
mathematical methods, E&M, etc.).
A few Quotes.
Recommended Books:
R K Pathria, Statistical Mechanics,
2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.
W. Greiner, L. Neise, and H. Stvcker:
Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics.
Springer-Verlag, New York 1995.
Other good books :
M. Toda, R. Kubo, and H. Saito, Statistical Physics,
2nd edition, Springer-Verlag.
M. Plischke and B. Bergensen,
Equilibrium Statistical Physics,
2nd edition, World-Scientific.
Instructor: Franco Nori, Physics Department.
Class meets: M-W-F 9-10am. Office hours: M-W-F, 10-11am.
Course
Outline:
Elements of Ensemble Theory
Canonical Ensemble
Grand Canonical Ensemble
Quantum Statistics
Ideal Bose and Fermi Systems and Applications
Phase transitions
Required assignments: regular homework assignments and quizzes.