Statistical Mechanics of Superconductivity

Beschreibung

This book provides a theoretical, step-by-step comprehensive explanation of superconductivity for undergraduate and graduate students who have completed elementary courses on thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. To this end, it adopts the unique approach of starting with the statistical mechanics of quantum ideal gases and successively adding and clarifying elements and techniques indispensible for understanding it. They include the spin-statistics theorem, second quantization, density matrices, the Bloch–De Dominicis theorem, the variational principle in statistical mechanics, attractive interaction, and bound states. Ample examples of their usage are also provided in terms of topics from advanced statistical mechanics such as two-particle correlations of quantum ideal gases, derivation of the Hartree–Fock equations, and Landau’s Fermi-liquid theory, among others. With these preliminaries, the fundamental mean-field equations of superconductivity are derived with maximum mathematicalclarity based on a coherent state in terms of the Cooper-pair creation operator, a quasiparticle field for describing the excitation, and the variational principle in statistical mechanics. They have the advantage that the phase coherence due to the Cooper-pair condensation can be clearly seen making the superfluidity comprehensible naturally. Subsequently, they are applied to homogeneous cases to describe the BCS theory for classic s-wave superconductors and its extension to the p-wave superfluidity of ³He. Later, the mean-field equations are simplified to the Eilenberger and Ginzburg–Landau equations so as to describe inhomogeneous superconductivity such as Abrikosov’s flux-line lattice concisely and transparently. Chapters provide the latest studies on the quasiclassical theory of superconductivity and a discovery of p-wave superfluidity in liquid ³He. The book serves as a standard reference for advanced courses of statistical mechanics with exercises along with detailed answers.
This book provides a theoretical, step-by-step comprehensive explanation of superconductivity for undergraduate and graduate students who have completed elementary courses on thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. To this end, it adopts the unique approach of starting with the statistical mechanics of quantum ideal gases and successively adding and clarifying elements and techniques indispensible for understanding it. They include the spin-statistics theorem, second quantization, density matrices, the Bloch–De Dominicis theorem, the variational principle in statistical mechanics, attractive interaction and bound states. Ample examples of their usage are also provided in terms of topics from advanced statistical mechanics such as two-particle correlations of quantum ideal gases, derivation of the Hartree–Fock equations, and Landau’s Fermi-liquid theory, among others. With these preliminaries, the fundamental mean-field equations of superconductivity are derived with maximum mathematicalclarity based on a coherent state in terms of the Cooper-pair creation operator, a quasiparticle field for describing the excitation and the variational principle in statistical mechanics. They have the advantage that the phase coherence due to the Cooper-pair condensation can be clearly seen making the superfluidity comprehensible naturally. Subsequently, they are applied to homogeneous cases to describe the BCS theory for classic s-wave superconductors and its extension to the p-wave superfluidity of ³He. Later, the mean-field equations are simplified to the Eilenberger and Ginzburg–Landau equations so as to describe inhomogeneous superconductivity such as Abrikosov’s flux-line lattice concisely and transparently. Chapters provide the latest studies on the quasiclassical theory of superconductivity and a discovery of p-wave superfluidity in liquid ³He. The book serves as a standard reference for advanced courses of statistical mechanics withexercises along with detailed answers.
Familiarizes readers with major concepts and techniques of modern theoretical physics through the study of superconductivity Provides careful and detailed mathematical derivations understandable by beginners Guides students of superconductivity on which topics to study in mathematics and modern theoretical physics Demonstrates clearly both the coherence of the Cooper-pair condensation and the origin of superfluidity

Autor*in

Takafumi Kita

Themen in »Statistical Mechanics of Superconductivity«

Abrikosov’s Flux-line Lattice Bogoliubov-de Gennes Equations Coherence of the Cooper-pair Condensation Cooper-pair Condensation and BCS Theory Eilenberger Equations Ginzburg-Landau Theory Landau Theory of Fermi Liquids Origin of Superfluidity Second Quantization Spin-statistics Theorem

Stimmen zu »Statistical Mechanics of Superconductivity«

“This book has a unique approach to formulating mean field theory of superconductivity especially in a way most useful for studying inhomogeneous and/or unconventional superconductors. Building up from the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and the basic techniques of statistical mechanics such that it is readable for students, it develops the Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism of superconductivity. The book culminates in derivation of the quasiclassical theory of superconductivity and its application to description of vortex states. While it is informative and useful for researchers in the field, it is an excellent textbook – either as the main text or for supplementary reading – for a variety of graduate courses ranging from a standard class on statistical mechanics or condensed matter physics to more specialised classes such as one on superconductivity.” (Professor K.Tanaka, Department of Physics & Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan)

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