Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Foundations and Applications (Hardcover)

<內容簡介>

。Covers in their entirety both thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and makes a deep connection between equilibrium and non-equilibrium theory.
。Provides the evidence for the underlying theory, primarily in the form of mathematical theorems and derivations, but also includes detailed comparison with computer simulations and with experimental measurements.
。Offers unique perspectives on non-equilibrium thermodynamics that are currently only found in the primary research literature.
。The book begins at an introductory level, and seeks to explain in physical terms the various theorems and derivations. It offers insight into the reasons how and why systems evolve in time and a deep understanding of the nature of time-dependence.

`Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Foundations and Applications' builds from basic principles to advanced techniques, and covers the major phenomena, methods, and results of time-dependent systems. It is a pedagogic introduction, a comprehensive reference manual, and an original research monograph. Uniquely, the book treats time-dependent systems by close analogy with their static counterparts, with most of the familiar results of equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics being generalized and applied to the non-equilibrium case. The book is notable for its unified treatment of thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, stochastic processes, and statistical mechanics, for its self-contained, coherent derivation of a variety of non-equilibrium theorems, and for its quantitative tests against experimental measurements and computer simulations.

Systems that evolve in time are more common than static systems, and yet until recently they lacked any over-arching theory. 'Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics' is unique in its unified presentation of the theory of non-equilibrium systems, which has now reached the stage of quantitative experimental and computational verification. The novel perspective and deep understanding that this book brings offers the opportunity for new direction and growth in the study of time-dependent phenomena.

'Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics' is an invaluable reference manual for experts already working in the field. Research scientists from different disciplines will find the overview of time-dependent systems stimulating and thought-provoking. Lecturers in physics and chemistry will be excited by many fresh ideas and topics, insightful explanations, and new approaches. Graduate students will benefit from its lucid reasoning and its coherent approach, as well as from the chem12physof mathematical techniques, derivations, and computer algorithms.

Table Of Contents

Preface

1: Prologue

2: Fluctuation Theory

3: Brownian Motion

4: Heat Conduction

5: Second Entropy For Fluctuating Hydrodynamics

6: Heat Convection and Non-Equilibrium Phase Transitions

7: Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics

8: Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics

9: Statistical Mechanics of Steady Flow: Heat and Shear

10: Generalised Langevin Equation

11: Non-Equilibrium Computer Simulation Algorithms

References

Index