Publisher's Synopsis
A completely modern approach to statistical mechanics<br> <br> Gene Mazenko presents an introduction to statistical mechanics from the modern condensed matter physics point of view. Emphasizing symmetry principles, conservation laws, and the consequences of broken symmetry, all of which are crucial to a fundamental understanding of statistical physics, this volume discusses the role of broken translational symmetry in treating solids.Professor Mazenko develops a firm basis for the choice of macrovariables or thermodynamic variables, stressing the importance of Nambu–Goldstone modes. He develops this theory beyond the usual examples of simple fluids with discussions of magnets, superfluids, and solids. Based on the author′s more than 30 years of experience with this subject, Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics:<br> ∗ Develops the structure of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics from fundamentals<br> ∗ Highlights the approach of coarse graining in statistical mechanics<br> ∗ Discusses ergodic theory and information theory<br> ∗ Treats phase transitions in a number of specific applications<br> ∗ Includes copious examples and end–of–chapter problems<br> ∗ Gives full development to the rich history of this topic<br> <br> Look for Mazenko′s forthcoming volumes, Fluctuations, Order, and Defects; Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics; and Field Theory Methods in Statistical Mechanics. Combined with this self–contained volume, these works span the entire graduate–level program.
