Abstract
This chapter presents the basic elements of Quantum Statistical Mechanics, starting from the definition of the density matrix. Some examples of density matrices are given, before discussing the grand canonical ensemble, the concept of distribution function, and concluding by deriving the Liouville–von Neumann equations of motion for the density matrix.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
I. Prigogine, From Being to Becoming (Freeman, New York, 1980)
R. Jancel, D. ter Haar, Foundations of Classical and Quantum Statistical Mechanics (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1963)
D.N. Zubarev, V. Morozov, G. Ropke, Statistical Mechanics of Nonequilibrium Processes: Basic Concepts, Kinetic Theory (Wiley, New York, 1996)
D.N. Zubarev, V. Morozov, G. Ropke, Statistical Mechanics of Nonequilibrium Processes: Relaxation and Hydrodynamic Processes (Wiley, New York, 1997)
L.E. Reichl, A Modern Course in Statistical Physics (Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, 2009)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fischetti, M.V., Vandenberghe, W.G. (2016). Elements of Quantum Statistical Mechanics. In: Advanced Physics of Electron Transport in Semiconductors and Nanostructures. Graduate Texts in Physics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01101-1_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01101-1_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-01100-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-01101-1
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)