PHYS 6562

PHYS 6562

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

Graduate level course in statistical mechanics.  Roughly 1/3 equilibrium statistical mechanics, 1/3 non-equilibrium, and 1/3 phase transitions.  First unit reviews thermodynamics, and covers equilibrium ensembles: micro-canonical, canonical, and grand-canonical. It includes developing the formalism of quantum statistical mechanics, studying ideal quantum gasses, density matrices, and path integrals.  Second unit explores non-equilibrium processes: Brownian motion, optical cooling.  The third unit explores microscopic and phenomenological models of phase transitions.  

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Primarily for graduate students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: good knowledge of quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, and undergraduate-level thermodynamics or statistical mechanics class.

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  6038 PHYS 6562   LEC 001