Ter Haar Men of Physics: L.D. Landau

Thermodynamics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Mechanics
1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4831-5382-7
Verlag: Elsevier Science & Techn.
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 208 Seiten, Web PDF

Men of Physics: L. D. Landau, Volume 2: Thermodynamics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Mechanics is dedicated to L. D. Landau's contributions in the fields of thermodynamics, plasma physics, and quantum mechanics. Landau's theory of second-order phase transitions is discussed, along with his contributions to nuclear physics, astrophysics, cosmic ray physics, and quantum field theory. This volume is comprised of 15 chapters and begins with a discussion on Landau's theory of second-order phase transitions, which includes his assumption that all thermodynamic functions would allow regular series expansions near the transition point. The following chapters focus on Landau's papers on the transport equation for ionized systems and on plasma oscillations; his contributions to nuclear physics, cosmic ray physics, and astrophysics; his work in pure quantum mechanics; and his contributions to quantum field theory. The second section elaborates on the theory of phase transitions; the transport equation in the case of Coulomb interactions; the vibrations of the electronic plasma; and the statistical theory of nuclei. The origin of stellar energy is also examined, along with the multiple production of particles during collisions of fast particles and the extension of the uncertainty principle to relativistic quantum theory. A theory of energy transfer in collisions is also described. The final chapter considers the conservation laws for weak interactions. This book will be a useful resource for physicists and students interested in the work of L. D. Landau.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ter Haar, D.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Front Cover;1
2;Thermodynamics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Mechanics;6
3;Copyright Page;7
4;Table of Contents;8
5;PREFACE;10
6;INTRODUCTION;12
7;PART 1;14
7.1;Chapter I. Second-order Phase Transitions;16
7.2;Chapter II. Plasma Physics;21
7.3;Chapter III. Nuclear Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmic Ray Physics;34
7.4;Chapter IV. Quantum Mechanics;45
7.5;Chapter V. Field Theory;55
7.6;REFERENCES;65
7.7;SCIENTIFIC PAPERS by L. D. LANDAU;67
8;PART 2;72
8.1;Chapter 1. On the Theory of Phase Transitions (1937);74
8.1.1;Conclusions;96
8.1.2;References;97
8.2;Chapter 2. The Transport Equation in the Case of Coulomb Interactions (1936);98
8.3;Chapter 3. On the Vibrations of the Electronic Plasma (1946);109
8.3.1;1. The Vibrations with a Given Initial Distribution;110
8.3.2;2. The Vibrations of a Plasma in a External Electric Field;120
8.3.3;References;130
8.4;Chapter 4. On the Statistical Theory of Nuclei (1937);131
8.4.1;1. Distribution of Nuclear Levels;131
8.4.2;2. The Width of Resonance Peaks for Neutrons;135
8.4.3;3. Inelastic Scattering;138
8.4.4;4. Nuclear Radiation;139
8.4.5;References;140
8.5;Chapter 5. On the Origin of Stellar Energy (1937);141
8.5.1;References;143
8.6;Chapter 6. On the Multiple Production of Particles during Collisions of Fast Particles (1953);144
8.6.1;1. General Relations;144
8.6.2;2. Total Number of Particles;147
8.6.3;3. Distribution of Particles Produced in Energy and Direction;150
8.6.4;References;164
8.7;Chapter 7. Extension of the Uncertainty Principle to Relativistic Quantum Theory (1931; with R. Peierls);165
8.7.1;1. Introduction;165
8.7.2;2. The Concept of Measurement in Wave Mechanics;166
8.7.3;3. Momentum Measurement in the Relativistic Case;170
8.7.4;4. Field Measurement;172
8.7.5;5. Measurements on Light Quanta;173
8.7.6;6. Measurements on Material Particles;175
8.7.7;7. Mathematical Failure of the Methods of Wave Mechanics;177
8.7.8;8. Conclusions;178
8.7.9;References;180
8.8;Chapter 8. A Theory of Energy Transfer in Collisions (1932);181
8.8.1;Part I;181
8.8.2;Part II;191
8.8.3;References;196
8.9;Chapter 9. Fundamental Problems (1960);197
8.9.1;References;201
8.10;Chapter 10. On the Conservation Laws for Weak Interactions (1957);202
8.10.1;1. Combined Parity;202
8.10.2;2. Properties of the Neutrino;205
8.10.3;References;207
9;INDEX;210