Contents
1. Quantum statistical mechanics:
Density matrix, Density matrices for different ensembles and their applications, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions.
2. Ideal Bose system:
Thermodynamic behaviour of an ideal Bose gas, Bose-Einstein condensation, Liquid helium.
3. Ideal Fermi gas:
A degenerate electron gas, Thermodynamic behaviour of an ideal Fermi gas, Applications in white dwarfs.
4. Phase transitions and critical phenomena:
Qualitative description and classification of phase transitions, Ising model, Critical exponents, Order parameters.
5. Chemical reaction:
Condition for chemical equilibrium, Mass action law, Ionization equilibrium, Saha ionization formula.
References:
1. Statistical Mechanies - R.K. Patharia - Elsevier
2. Statistical Mechanics - K. Huang - Wiley
3. Fundamentals of statistical and thermal physics – Reif - Sarat Book Distributors (2010)
4. Statistical Physics (III) - Landau and Lifshitz - Elsevier
5. Statistical Mechanics and Properties of matter – E.S.R. Gopal - Ellis Horwood
6. Statistical Mechanics - B.K. Agarwal and Melvin Eisner - Wiley & Sons
7. Statistical Physics - F. Mandl - Wiley
8. An Introductory Course of Statistical Mechanics - P. B. Pal – Narosa