Partition Functions in Statistical Mechanics, Symmetric Functions, and Group Representations
Statistical Mechanics
2009-11-07 v1 High Energy Physics - Theory
Nuclear Theory
Abstract
Partition functions for non-interacting particles are known to be symmetric functions. It is shown that powerful group-theoretical techniques can be used not only to derive these relationships, but also to significantly simplify calculation of the partition functions for particles that carry internal quantum numbers. The partition function is shown to be a sum of one or more group characters. The utility of character expansions in calculating the partition functions is explored. Several examples are given to illustrate these techniques.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0109112,
title = {Partition Functions in Statistical Mechanics, Symmetric Functions, and Group Representations},
author = {A. B. Balantekin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0109112},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
16 pages of RevTex