Introduction to Statistical Physics

Rigorous and comprehensive, this textbook introduces undergraduate students to simulation methods in statistical physics. The book covers a number of topics, including the thermodynamics of magnetic and electric systems; the quantum-mechanical basis of magnetism; ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, spin waves and magnons; liquid crystals as a non-ideal system of technological relevance; and diffusion in an external potential. It also covers hot topics such as cosmic microwave background, magnetic cooling and Bose–Einstein condensation. The book provides an elementary introduction to simulation methods through algorithms in pseudocode for random walks, the 2D Ising model, and a model liquid crystal. Any formalism is kept simple and derivations are worked out in detail to ensure the material is accessible to students from subjects other than physics.

Preface; 1. Random walks; 2. Review of thermodynamics; 3. The postulates of statistical physics. Thermodynamic equilibrium; 4. Statistical thermodynamics – developments and applications; 5. The classical ideal gas; 6. The quantum ideal gas; 7. Magnetism; 8. The Ising model; 9. Liquid crystals; 10. Phase transitions and critical phenomena; 11. Irreversible processes; Appendixes; Index.

João Paulo Casquilho is an Associate Professor at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal. His research work includes experimental and theoretical studies in liquid crystals rheology under applied electric or magnetic fields and dynamical systems.
Paulo Teixeira is an Adjunct Professor at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa and a research associate at the Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. He is a theoretical soft matter physicist who has worked on colloids, elastomers, foams and liquid crystals.