| [1] |
Jochen Rau.
Statistical mechanics in a nutshell, 1998.
Lecture Notes (Part I of a course on Transport Theory taught at
Dresden University of Technology, Spring 1997),. BibTeX entry, Available here, Compressed PS
I give a concise introduction to some essential concepts of statistical mechanics: 1. Probability theory (constrained distributions, concentration theorem, frequency estimation, hypothesis testing); 2. Macroscopic systems in equilibrium (macrostate, thermodynamic variables, entropy, first law, thermodynamic potentials, correlations); 3. Linear response (Kubo formula).
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| [2] |
V. Rivasseau.
Géométrie et physique.
DEA physique théorique, Polytechnique, 1993-94. BibTeX entry, Compressed PS |
| [3] |
Edwin F. Taylor, Stamatis Vokos, John M. O Meara, and Nora S. Thornber.
Teaching feynman s sum-over-paths quantum theory.
Computers in Physics, 12(2):190-199, 1998. BibTeX entry, PDF
We outline an introduction to quantum mechanics based on the sum-over-paths method originated by Richard P. Feynman. Students use software with a graphics interface to model sums associated with multiple paths for photons and electrons, leading to the concepts of electron wavefunction, the propagator, bound states, and stationary states. Material in the first portion of this outline has been tried with an audience of high-school science teachers. These students were enthusiastic about the treatment, and we feel that it has promise for the education of physicists and other scientists, as well as for distribution to a wider audience.
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