Exploring important theories for understanding freezing and the liquid-glass transition, this book is useful for graduate students and researchers in soft-condensed matter physics, chemical physics and materials science. It details recent ideas and key developments, providing an up-to-date view of current understanding. The standard tools of statistical physics for the dense liquid state are covered. The freezing transition is described from the classical density functional approach. Classical nucleation theory as well as applications of density functional methods for nucleation of crystals from the melt are discussed, and compared to results from computer simulation of simple systems. Discussions of supercooled liquids form a major part of the book. Theories of slow dynamics and the dynamical heterogeneities of the glassy state are presented, as well as nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamic phase transitions at deep supercooling. Mathematical treatments are given in full detail so readers can learn the basic techniques.

Presents a unified formulation from first principles of the Hailtonian and statistical mechanics of metallic and insulating crystals, amorphous solids, and liquids.

Consists of invited lecture series and contributed research papers presented at the International Advanced School in Statistical Physics held at Punjab University, Chandiqarh, India under the Indo French Program of Cooperation in Science and Technology. Examines current studies of static and dynamical properties of liquids through time correlation function, computer simulation and neutron scattering experiments. Various Coulomb systems are introduced, with examples in one, two, and three dimensions provided. Small angle neutron scattering data from polydispersed random media are reviewed. Final sections discuss quantum theories of diffusion of localized and Bloch impurities in solids, chaos and turbulence, the spin glasses SK model and recent results on high temperature superconductors.

Classic text combines thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory in one unified presentation. Topics include equilibrium statistics of special systems, kinetic theory, transport coefficients, and fluctuations. Problems with solutions. 1966 edition.

"Kip Thorne and Roger Blandford's monumental Modern Classical Physics is now available in five stand-alone volumes that make ideal textbooks for individual graduate or advanced undergraduate courses on statistical physics; optics; elasticity and fluid dynamics; plasma physics; and relativity and cosmology. Each volume teaches the fundamental concepts, emphasizes modern, real-world applications, and gives students a physical and intuitive understanding of the subject. Statistical Physics is an essential introduction that is different from others on the subject because of its unique approach, which is coordinate-independent and geometric; embraces and elucidates the close quantum-classical connection and the relativistic and Newtonian domains; and demonstrates the power of statistical techniques--particularly statistical mechanics--by presenting applications not only to the usual kinds of things, such as gases, liquids, solids, and magnetic materials, but also to a much wider range of phenomena, including black holes, the universe, information and communication, and signal processing amid noise. Includes many exercise problems Features color figures, suggestions for further reading, extensive cross-references, and a detailed index Optional "Track 2" sections make this an ideal book for a one-quarter, half-semester, or full-semester course An online illustration package is available to professors The five volumes, which are available individually as paperbacks and ebooks, are Statistical Physics; Optics; Elasticity and Fluid Dynamics; Plasma Physics; and Relativity and Cosmology." --Amazon.com.

Statistical Physics provides an introduction to the basic principles of statistical mechanics. Statistical mechanics is one of the fundamental branches of theoretical physics and chemistry, and deals with many systems such as gases, liquids, solids, and even molecules which have many atoms. The book consists of three parts. Part I gives the principles, with elementary applications to noninteracting systems. It begins with kinetic theory and discusses classical and quantum systems in equilibrium and nonequilibrium. In Part II, classical statistical mechanics is developed for interacting systems in equilibrium and nonequilibrium. Finally, in Part III, quantum statistics is presented to an extent which enables the reader to proceed to advanced many-body theories. This book is written for a one-year graduate course in statistical mechanics or a half-year course followed by a half-year course on related subjects, such as special topics and applications or elementary many-body theories. Efforts are made such that discussions of each subject start with an elementary level and end at an advanced level.

This book covers the broad subject of equilibrium statistical mechanics along with many advanced and modern topics such as nucleation, spinodal decomposition, inherent structures of liquids and liquid crystals. Unlike other books on the market, this comprehensive text not only deals with the primary fundamental ideas of statistical mechanics but also covers contemporary topics in this broad and rapidly developing area of chemistry and materials science.