Elements of Statistical Mechanics: With an Introduction to Quantum Field Theory and Numerical Simulation

Description

This textbook provides a concise introduction to the key concepts and tools of modern statistical mechanics. It also covers advanced topics such as non-relativistic quantum field theory and numerical methods. After introducing classical analytical techniques, such as cluster expansion and Landau theory, the authors present important numerical methods with applications to magnetic systems, Lennard-Jones fluids and biophysics. Quantum statistical mechanics is discussed in detail and applied to Bose-Einstein condensation and topics in astrophysics and cosmology. In order to describe emergent phenomena in interacting quantum systems, canonical non-relativistic quantum field theory is introduced and then reformulated in terms of Feynman integrals. Combining the authors' many years' experience of teaching courses in this area, this textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in physics, chemistry and mathematics.

I. Sachs is Professor of Physics at the Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat (LMU), Munchen, 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.

"It is a well-written book, providing general information and stimulating discussions on different and relevant topics in many-particle physical systems. In this sense it constitutes a short and introductory guide to many subjects which may be of interest for undergraduate and postgraduate students in physics, a purpose clearly established in the preface." Marco Corgini, Mathematical Reviews