Introduction to Statistical Physics
Author | : João Paulo Casquilho |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 349 |
Release | : 2015 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781107053786 |
ISBN-13 | : 1107053781 |
Rating | : 4/5 (86 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Rigorous and comprehensive, this textbook introduces undergraduate students to simulation methods in statistical physics. The book covers a number of topics, including the thermodynamics of magnetic and electric systems; the quantum-mechanical basis of magnetism; ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, spin waves and magnons; liquid crystals as a non-ideal system of technological relevance; and diffusion in an external potential. It also covers hot topics such as cosmic microwave background, magnetic cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation. The book provides an elementary introduction to simulation methods through algorithms in pseudocode for random walks, the 2D Ising model, and a model liquid crystal. Any formalism is kept simple and derivations are worked out in detail to ensure the material is accessible to students from subjects other than physics.