Men of Physics: L.D. Landau (eBook)

Thermodynamics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Mechanics

D. ter Haar (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2016 | 1. Auflage
208 Seiten
Elsevier Science (Verlag)
9781483153827 (ISBN)

Infos

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.

Inhalt

Front Cover 1
Thermodynamics, Plasma Physics and Quantum Mechanics 6
Copyright Page 7
Table of Contents 8
PREFACE 10
INTRODUCTION 12
PART 1 14
Chapter I. Second-order Phase Transitions 16
Chapter II. Plasma Physics 21
Chapter III. Nuclear Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmic Ray Physics 34
Chapter IV. Quantum Mechanics 45
Chapter V. Field Theory 55
REFERENCES 65
SCIENTIFIC PAPERS by L. D. LANDAU 67
PART 2 72
Chapter 1. On the Theory of Phase Transitions (1937) 74
Conclusions 96
References 97
Chapter 2. The Transport Equation in the Case of Coulomb Interactions (1936) 98
Chapter 3. On the Vibrations of the Electronic Plasma (1946) 109
1. The Vibrations with a Given Initial Distribution 110
2. The Vibrations of a Plasma in a External Electric Field 120
References 130
Chapter 4. On the Statistical Theory of Nuclei (1937) 131
1. Distribution of Nuclear Levels 131
2. The Width of Resonance Peaks for Neutrons 135
3. Inelastic Scattering 138
4. Nuclear Radiation 139
References 140
Chapter 5. On the Origin of Stellar Energy (1937) 141
References 143
Chapter 6. On the Multiple Production of Particles during Collisions of Fast Particles (1953) 144
1. General Relations 144
2. Total Number of Particles 147
3. Distribution of Particles Produced in Energy and Direction 150
References 164
Chapter 7. Extension of the Uncertainty Principle to Relativistic Quantum Theory (1931 with R. Peierls)
1. Introduction 165
2. The Concept of Measurement in Wave Mechanics 166
3. Momentum Measurement in the Relativistic Case 170
4. Field Measurement 172
5. Measurements on Light Quanta 173
6. Measurements on Material Particles 175
7. Mathematical Failure of the Methods of Wave Mechanics 177
8. Conclusions 178
References 180
Chapter 8. A Theory of Energy Transfer in Collisions (1932) 181
Part I 181
Part II 191
References 196
Chapter 9. Fundamental Problems (1960) 197
References 201
Chapter 10. On the Conservation Laws for Weak Interactions (1957) 202
1. Combined Parity 202
2. Properties of the Neutrino 205
References 207
INDEX 210

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 22.6.2016
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Mechanik
• Themenwelt: Technik
• ISBN-13: 9781483153827 / 9781483153827