Statistical Physics II Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics [Paperback]

Statistical Physics II introduces nonequilibrium theories of statistical mechanics from the viewpoint of the fluctuation-disipation theorem. Emphasis is placed on the relaxation from nonequilibrium to equilibrium states, the response of a system to an external disturbance, and general problems involved in deriving a macroscopic physical process from more basic underlying processes. Fundamental concepts and methods are stressed, rather than the numerous individual applications.Statistical Physics II introduces nonequilibrium theories of statistical mechanics from the viewpoint of the fluctuation-disipation theorem. Emphasis is placed on the relaxation from nonequilibrium to equilibrium states, the response of a system to an external disturbance, and general problems involved in deriving a macroscopic physical process from more basic underlying processes. Fundamental concepts and methods are stressed, rather than the numerous individual applications.1. Brownian Motion.- 1.1 Brownian Motion as a Stochastic Process.- 1.2 The Central Limit Theorem and Brownian Motion.- 1.3 The Langevin Equation and Harmonic Analysis.- 1.4 Gaussian Processes.- 1.5 Brownian Motion Modeled by a Gaussian Process.- 1.6 The Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem.- 2. Physical Processes as Stochastic Processes.- 2.1 Random Frequency Modulation.- 2.2 Brownian Motion Revisited.- 2.3 Markovian Processes.- 2.4 Fokker-Planck Equation.- 2.5 Contraction of Information. Projected Processes.- 2.6 Derivation of Master Equations.- 2.7 Brownian Motion of a Quantal System.- 2.8 Boltzmann Equation.- 2.9 Generalized Langevin Equation and the Damping Theory.- 3. Relaxation and Resonance Absorption.- 3.1 Linear Irreversible Processes.- 3.1.1 Mechanical and Thermal Forces vs Displacements and Currents.- 3.1.2 Linear Relations.- 3.1.3 Response to a Pulsed Force.- 3.1.4 Relaxation Phenomena.- 3.2 Complex Admittance.- 3.2.1 Harmonic (Fourier) Analysis.- 3.2.2 Energy Dissipation.- 3.3 lc)