This book provides an introduction to topics in non-equilibrium quantum statistical physics for both mathematicians and theoretical physicists. The first part introduces a kinetic equation, of Kolmogorov type, which is needed to describe an isolated atom (actually, in experiments, an ion) under the effect of a classical pumping electromagnetic field which keeps the atom in its excited state(s) together with the random emission of fluorescence photons which put it back into its ground state. The quantum kinetic theory developed in the second part is an extension of Boltzmann's classical (non-quantum) kinetic theory of a dilute gas of quantum bosons. This is the source of many interesting fundamental questions, particularly because, if the temperature is low enough, such a gas is known to have at equilibrium a transition, the Bose–Einstein transition, where a finite portion of the particles stay in the quantum ground state. An important question considered is how a Bose gas condensate develops in time if its energy is initially low enough.

The present text offers a graduate level treatment of time dependent phenomena in condensed matter physics. Conventional ideas of linear response theory and kinetic theory are treated in detail. The general emphasis, however, in on the development of generalized Langevin equations for treating nonlinear behaviour in a wide variety of systems. A full treatment is given for the underpinnings of hydrodynamics for fluids. This is the third volume of a four volume set of texts by the same author, two of which have already been published ("Fluctuations, Order, and Defects" 0-471-32840-5, "Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics" 0-471-32839-1). While the preceding volume contains material that is a prerequisite for fully understanding the material presented here, this volume is self-contained and can stand alone from the preceding volume.

This book encompasses our current understanding of the ensemble approach to many-body physics, phase transitions and other thermal phenomena, as well as the quantum foundations of linear response theory, kinetic equations and stochastic processes. It is destined to be a standard text for graduate students, but it will also serve the specialist-researcher in this fascinating field; some more elementary topics have been included in order to make the book self-contained.The historical methods of J Willard Gibbs and Ludwig Boltzmann, applied to the quantum description rather than phase space, are featured. The tools for computations in the microcanonical, canonical and grand-canonical ensembles are carefully developed and then applied to a variety of classical and standard quantum situations. After the language of second quantization has been introduced, strongly interacting systems, such as quantum liquids, superfluids and superconductivity, are treated in detail. For the connoisseur, there is a section on diagrammatic methods and applications.In the second part dealing with non-equilibrium processes, the emphasis is on the quantum foundations of Markovian behaviour and irreversibility via the Pauli-Van Hove master equation. Justifiable linear response expressions and the quantum-Boltzmann approach are discussed and applied to various condensed matter problems. From this basis the Onsager-Casimir relations are derived, together with the mesoscopic master equation, the Langevin equation and the Fokker-Planck truncation procedure. Brownian motion and modern stochastic problems such as fluctuations in optical signals and radiation fields briefly make the round.

This unique and consistent mathematical treatise contains a deductive description of equilibrium statistics and thermodynamics. The most important elements of non-equilibrium phenomena are also treated. In addition to the fundamentals, the text tries to show how large the area of statistical mechanics is and how many applications can be found here. Modern areas such as renormalization group theory, percolation, stochastic equations of motion and their applications in critical dynamics, as well as fundamental thoughts of irreversibility are discussed. The text will be useful for advanced students in physics and other sciences who have profound knowledge of quantum mechanics.

A comprehensive and pedagogical text on nonequilibrium statistical physics, covering topics from random walks to pattern formation.

This book offers a comprehensive picture of nonequilibrium phenomena in nanoscale systems. Written by internationally recognized experts in the field, this book strikes a balance between theory and experiment, and includes in-depth introductions to nonequilibrium fluctuation relations, nonlinear dynamics and transport, single molecule experiments, and molecular diffusion in nanopores. The authors explore the application of these concepts to nano- and biosystems by cross-linking key methods and ideas from nonequilibrium statistical physics, thermodynamics, stochastic theory, and dynamical systems. By providing an up-to-date survey of small systems physics, the text serves as both a valuable reference for experienced researchers and as an ideal starting point for graduate-level students entering this newly emerging research field.