Statistical Dynamics: Matter Out Of Equilibrium Matter Out of Equilibrium

In the first part of this book, classical nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is developed. Starting from the Hamiltonian dynamics of the molecules, it leads through the irreversible kinetic equations to the level of fluid mechanics. For simple systems, all the transport coefficients are determined by the molecular properties. The second part of the book treats complex systems that require a more extensive use of statistical concepts. Such problems, which are at the forefront of research, include: continuous time random walks, non-Markovian diffusion processes, percolation and related critical phenomena, transport of fractal structures, transport and deterministic chaos. These "strange transport processes" differ significantly from the usual (diffusive) transport. Their inclusion in a general treatise on statistical mechanics is a special feature of this book. In the first part of this book, classical nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is developed. Starting from the Hamiltonian dynamics of the molecules, it leads through the irreversible kinetic equations to the level of fluid mechanics. For simple systems, all the transport coefficients are determined by the molecular properties.The second part of the book treats complex systems that require a more extensive use of statistical concepts. Such problems, which are at the forefront of research, include: continuous time random walks, non-Markovian diffusion processes, percolation and related critical phenomena, transport on fractal structures, transport and deterministic chaos. These “strange transport processes” differ significantly from the usual (diffusive) transport. Their inclusion in a general treatise on statistical mechanics is a special feature of this invaluable book. In the first part of this book, classical nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is developed. Starting from the Hamiltonian dynamics of the molecules, it leads through the irreversible kinetic equations to the level of fluid mechanics. For simple systems, all the transport coefficients are determined by the molecular properties. The second part of the book treats complex systems that require a more extensive use of statistical concepts. Such problems, which are at the forefront of research, include: continuous time random walks, non-Markovian diffusion processes, percolation and related critical phenomena, transport on fractal structures, transport and deterministic chaos. These "strange transport processes" differ significantly from the usual (diffusive) transport. Their inclusion in a general treatise on statistical mechanics is a special feature of this invaluable book 4.2 Reduced Distribution Functions4.3 Evolution of the Reduced Distribution Functions; 4.4 Correlation Functions; 4.5 Evolution of the Correlation Functions; 4.6 Bibliographical Notes BN4; Chapter 5 The Mean Field Approximation; 5.1 Weakly Coupled Systems; 5.2 Free Particle Dynamics; 5.3 The Vlasov Equation; 5.4 The Linearized Vlasov Equation; 5.5 Conclusions; 5.6 Bibliographical Notes BN5; Chapter 6 The Weak Coupling Kinetic Equation; 6.1 The Master Equation; 6.2 The Landau Equation; 6.3 Explicit form of the Landau collision term; 6.4 Conclusion; 6.5 Appendix. The Cauchy Integral A survey of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, starting from the Hamiltonian dynamics of the molecules, and proceeding through the irreversible kinetic equations to the level of fluid mechanics. The book then treats complex systems requiring a more extensive use of statistical concepts. When I was invited to consider writing a new book on non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, it did not take me much time to reach a positive decision.