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Statistical Physics of Solids

Type of study Doctoral
Language of instruction Czech
Code 480-8806/01
Abbreviation SFPL
Course title Statistical Physics of Solids
Credits 10
Coordinating department Department of Physics
Course coordinator doc. RNDr. Dalibor Ciprian, Ph.D.

Subject syllabus

Introduction to statistical mechanics, combinatorics and probability calculus essentials, selected parts of classical and quantum mechanics.
System description using phase space, Liouville's theorem, probability density, ergodic hypothesis.
Statistical ensembles, microstates and macrostates, mean value and fluctuations.
Microcanonical ensemble, thermodynamic probability and entropy.
Canonical ensemble, Gibbs partition function, distribution functions.
Relationships between statistical mechanics and thermodynamic quantities.
Applications: harmonic crystal model, phonon gas and heat capacity models.
State equations models for solid states.
Basic quantum distribution functions and their applications, free electron gas.
Statistical description of electron transport, Boltzmann kinetic equation and its applications.
Statistic description and models of magnetic systems.
Application on statistical mechanics to phase transitions.

E-learning

Consultation on demand through MS Teams

Literature

GIRIFALCO, L., A., Statistical Mechanics of Solids, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 978-0195167177 
REIF, F., Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, Waveland Press Inc., 2008, ISBN 978-1577666127 
HILL, T., L., An Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics, Dover Publications, 1987, ISBN 978-0486652429 
COHEN, M. L., LOUIE, S. G.: Fundamentals of Condensed Matter Physics, Cambridge University Press, 2016, ISBN 978-0521513319 
KITTEL, CH.: Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004, ISBN 978-0471415268 

Advised literature

PATHRIA, R., K., Statistical Mechanics, 3rd Ed., Academic Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0123821881 
SETHNA, J., P., Statistical Mechanics Entropy, Order Parameters, and Complexity, Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0198566779