Statistical Physics

Statistical Physics bridges the properties of a macroscopic system and the microscopic behavior of its constituting particles, otherwise impossible due to the giant magnitude of Avogadro's number. Numerous systems of today's key technologies - such as semiconductors or lasers - are macroscopic quantum objects; only statistical physics allows for understanding their fundamentals. Therefore, this graduate text also focuses on particular applications such as the properties of electrons in solids with applications, and radiation thermodynamics and the greenhouse effect.

• condensed matter
• dynamics
• mechanics
• quantum mechanics
• statistical physics
• thermodynamics

From the reviews:

"This is an interesting book, in part because it presents the subject from a French point of view. … It starts from an elementary discussion of statistical physics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics and ends with applications to advanced topics … . These subjects are treated in exercises and problems and the solutions to those problems. … The book is intended to be an introductory text for senior undergraduates and graduate students. … it does make interesting reading for practitioners of statistical physics." (Irwin Oppenheim, Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 30, 2006)

"This is an extremely useful textbook for various undergraduate or graduate courses on statistical physics and its applications. One can find all the essential material, with a lot of examples from modern physics … . This is a … comprehensive textbook inspired by the idea of showing how one can deduce the macroscopic from the microscopic. It offers both basic laws and applications and … provides the student with sufficient knowledge to follow the more extensive textbooks on any of the particular subjects treated here." (Darko Kapor, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 c)

• Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France

  Claudine Hermann

Claudine Hermann received her education at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Jeunes Filles, and is vice-director of the Physics of Condensed Matter Laboratory of the Ecole Polytechnique, where she is also professor at the physics department. She conducts research in solid-state physics, optical pumping in semiconductors, photoemission of polarized electrons, and near-field optics.

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