PHYS 530 - Statistical Mechanics

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

Fundamentals of classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Density matrix methods. Micro-canonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensemble. Formulation of quantum statistics; theory of simple gases; Maxwell-Boltzmann, ideal Bose, and ideal Fermi systems. Treatment of interacting systems. Phase transitions and fluctuations. Knowledge of statistical mechanics at the level of PHYS 311 or equivalent is required.