Statistical Physics of Condensed Matter Systems

This Primer focusses on the statistical physics of classical and quantum systems. The course text explores the three cornerstones of statistical physics which include the Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein distribution laws. It also provides a highly useful and in-depth investigation of the thermal properties of paradigmatically important systems such as classical ideal gas, electron gas and phonon gas.

The structure of this text is tailored to facilitate the planning of a one-semester course: this volume provides bachelor students with a main teaching tool. More specifically, each part identifies an independent teaching module, while each chapter corresponds to approximately two weeks of lecturing.

Key Features

• Fills a gap for a self-contained undergraduate textbook in statistical physics of condensed matter systems

• Tailored for a one-semester course

• Focuses on a selected set of topics, whilst also providing substantial, in-depth coverage of the subject

• Emphasises phenomenology rather than mathematics/formalism

• Uses various pedagogical features, including chapter outline, proof-of-concept pictures