Predictive Statistical Mechanics: A Nonequilibrium Ensemble Formalism [Hardcover]

Chapters 1 to 5 include a description of the philosophy, foundations, and construction (methodology) of the formalism, including the derivation of a nonequilibrium grand-canonical ensemble for far-from-equilibrium systems as well as the derivation of a quantum nonlinear kinetic theory and a response function theory together with a theory of scattering. In chapter 6 applications of the theory are cataloged, making comparisons with experimental data (a basic step for the validation of any theory). Chapter 7 is devoted to the description of irreversible thermodynamics, providing a far-reaching generalization of Informational-Statistical Thermodynamics. The last chapter gives an overall picture of the formalism, and questions and criticisms related to it are discussed.
1. Maxent-Nesom in Equilibrium Conditions.- 2. Maxent-Nesom for Dissipative Processes in Open Systems.- 3. Nonequilibrium Generalized Grand-Canonical Ensemble.- 4. Maxent-Nesom-Based Kinetic Theory.- 5. Response Function Theory.- 6. Theory and Experiment.- 7. Informational Statistical Thermodynamics.- 8. Final Remarks.- Appendices.- The variational procedure.- Calculation of Eq. (4.15).- The Partial Collision Operators of Eq. (4.24).- Calculation of Eq. (4.49).- An illustration of the use of Markovian equations.- Calculation of Eq. (4.63).- The Dielectric Function.- Name Index.