Discontinued (October,2024)-Statistical Mechanics 

offered by IISER Mohali

Introduction to Thermodynamics – the idea of macroscopic and microscopic variables with examples: a classical ideal gas and a magnetic spin system

Zeroth law of thermodynamics: The concept of empirical temperature arising from the zeroth law

First law and perpetual machines of first kind

Concept of exact and inexact differentials (for example heat and work)

Second law of thermodynamics: Concepts of heat engines

Microcanonical Ensemble: Concept of classical probability density – Liouville equation, incompressible flow in phase space

Canonical ensemble: Understanding what is a canonical ensemble and why we need it – connecting it with thermodynamics

Grand canonical ensemble. Probability density in grand canonical ensemble

Fluctuations and their significance. Generator of canonical ensemble

Quantum statistical mechanics: concept of averages in quantum stat. mech

Mixed and pure states and definition of density matrix. Density operators in quantum stat. mech

N-particle wavefunction and canonical density matrix for N-particles

Concept of symmetric and anti-symmetric wave functions – symmetry and permutation operator