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Thermalization
In physics, thermalisation is the process of physical bodies reaching thermal equilibrium through mutual interaction. In general the natural tendency of a system is towards a state of equipartition of energy and uniform temperature that maximizes the system's entropy. Thermalisation, thermal equilibrium, and temperature are therefore important fundamental concepts within statistical physics, statistical mechanics, and thermodynamics; all of which are a basis for many other specific fields of scientific understanding and engineering application. Examples of thermalisation include: * the achievement of equilibrium in a plasma. * the process undergone by high-energy neutrons as they lose energy by collision with a moderator. The hypothesis, foundational to most introductory textbooks treating quantum statistical mechanics, assumes that systems go to thermal equilibrium (thermalisation). The process of thermalisation erases local memory of the initial conditions. The eigenstate ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eigenstate Thermalisation Hypothesis
The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (or ETH) is a set of ideas which purports to explain when and why an isolated Quantum mechanics, quantum mechanical system can be accurately described using equilibrium statistical mechanics. In particular, it is devoted to understanding how systems which are initially prepared in far-from-equilibrium states can evolve in time to a state which appears to be in thermal equilibrium. The phrase "eigenstate thermalization" was first coined by Mark Srednicki in 1994, after similar ideas had been introduced by Josh Deutsch in 1991. The principal philosophy underlying the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis is that instead of explaining the ergodicity of a thermodynamic system through the mechanism of Chaos theory, dynamical chaos, as is done in classical mechanics, one should instead examine the properties of matrix (mathematics), matrix elements of observable quantities in individual stationary state, energy eigenstates of the system. Motivati ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Many-body Localisation
Many-body localization (MBL) is a dynamical phenomenon occurring in isolated many-body quantum systems. It is characterized by the system failing to thermalization, reach thermal equilibrium, and retaining a memory of its initial condition in local observables for infinite times. Thermalization and localization Textbook Quantum statistical mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics assumes that systems go to thermal equilibrium (thermalization). The process of thermalization erases local memory of the initial conditions. In textbooks, thermalization is ensured by coupling the system to an external environment or "reservoir," with which the system can exchange energy. What happens if the system is isolated from the environment, and evolves according to its own Schrödinger equation? Does the system still thermalize? Quantum mechanical time evolution is unitary and formally preserves all information about the initial condition in the quantum state at all times. However, a quant ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quantum Scar
Quantum scarring refers to a phenomenon where the eigenstates of a classically chaotic quantum system have enhanced probability density around the paths of unstable classical periodic orbits. The instability of the periodic orbit is a decisive point that differentiates quantum scars from the more trivial observation that the probability density is enhanced in the neighborhood of stable periodic orbits. The latter can be understood as a purely classical phenomenon, a manifestation of the Bohr correspondence principle, whereas in the former, quantum interference is essential. As such, scarring is both a visual example of quantum-classical correspondence, and simultaneously an example of a (local) quantum suppression of chaos. A classically chaotic system is also ergodic, and therefore (almost) all of its trajectories eventually explore evenly the entire accessible phase space. Thus, it would be natural to expect that the eigenstates of the quantum counterpart would fill the quantum ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neutron Moderator
In nuclear engineering, a neutron moderator is a medium that reduces the speed of fast neutrons, ideally without capturing any, leaving them as thermal neutrons with only minimal (thermal) kinetic energy. These thermal neutrons are immensely more susceptible than fast neutrons to propagate a nuclear chain reaction of uranium-235 or other fissile isotope by colliding with their atomic nucleus. Water (sometimes called "light water" in this context) is the most commonly used moderator (roughly 75% of the world's reactors). Solid graphite (20% of reactors) and heavy water (5% of reactors) are the main alternatives. Beryllium has also been used in some experimental types, and hydrocarbons have been suggested as another possibility. Moderation Neutrons are normally bound into an atomic nucleus, and do not exist free for long in nature. The unbound neutron has a half-life of 10 minutes and 11 seconds. The release of neutrons from the nucleus requires exceeding the binding energy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Physics
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events." Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, with its main goal being to understand how the universe behaves. "Physics is one of the most fundamental of the sciences. Scientists of all disciplines use the ideas of physics, including chemists who study the structure of molecules, paleontologists who try to reconstruct how dinosaurs walked, and climatologists who study how human activities affect the atmosphere and oceans. Physics is also the foundation of all engineering and technology. No engineer could design a flat-screen TV, an interplanetary spacecraft, or even a better mousetrap without first understanding the basic laws of physic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Integrable System
In mathematics, integrability is a property of certain dynamical systems. While there are several distinct formal definitions, informally speaking, an integrable system is a dynamical system with sufficiently many conserved quantities, or first integrals, such that its behaviour has far fewer degrees of freedom than the dimensionality of its phase space; that is, its evolution is restricted to a submanifold within its phase space. Three features are often referred to as characterizing integrable systems: * the existence of a ''maximal'' set of conserved quantities (the usual defining property of complete integrability) * the existence of algebraic invariants, having a basis in algebraic geometry (a property known sometimes as algebraic integrability) * the explicit determination of solutions in an explicit functional form (not an intrinsic property, but something often referred to as solvability) Integrable systems may be seen as very different in qualitative character from mo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Entropy Production
Entropy production (or generation) is the amount of entropy which is produced in any irreversible processes such as heat and mass transfer processes including motion of bodies, heat exchange, fluid flow, substances expanding or mixing, anelastic deformation of solids, and any irreversible thermodynamic cycle, including thermal machines such as power plants, heat engines, refrigerators, heat pumps, and air conditioners. In the dual representation entropy–exergy for accounting the second law of thermodynamics it can be expressed in equivalent terms of exergy disruption. Short history Entropy is produced in irreversible processes. The importance of avoiding irreversible processes (hence reducing the entropy production) was recognized as early as 1824 by Carnot. In 1865 Rudolf Clausius expanded his previous work from 1854 on the concept of "unkompensierte Verwandlungen" (uncompensated transformations), which, in our modern nomenclature, would be called the entropy production. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Relaxation Theorem
Relaxation stands quite generally for a release of tension, a return to equilibrium. In the sciences, the term is used in the following ways: * Relaxation (physics), and more in particular: ** Relaxation (NMR), processes by which nuclear magnetization returns to the equilibrium distribution ** Dielectric relaxation, the delay in the dielectric constant of a material ** Vibrational energy relaxation, the process by which molecules in high energy quantum states return to the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution ** Chemical relaxation methods, related to temperature jump ** Relaxation oscillator, a type of electronic oscillator In mathematics: :* Relaxation (approximation), a technique for transforming hard constraints into easier ones :* Relaxation (iterative method), a technique for the numerical solution of equations :* Relaxation (extension method), a technique for a natural extension in mathematical optimization or variational problems In computer science: :* Relaxation (computing), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
H-theorem
In classical statistical mechanics, the ''H''-theorem, introduced by Ludwig Boltzmann in 1872, describes the tendency to decrease in the quantity ''H'' (defined below) in a nearly-ideal gas of molecules. L. Boltzmann,Weitere Studien über das Wärmegleichgewicht unter Gasmolekülen" Sitzungsberichte Akademie der Wissenschaften 66 (1872): 275-370. English translation: As this quantity ''H'' was meant to represent the entropy of thermodynamics, the ''H''-theorem was an early demonstration of the power of statistical mechanics as it claimed to derive the second law of thermodynamics—a statement about fundamentally irreversible processes—from reversible microscopic mechanics. It is thought to prove the second law of thermodynamics, albeit under the assumption of low-entropy initial conditions. The ''H''-theorem is a natural consequence of the kinetic equation derived by Boltzmann that has come to be known as Boltzmann's equation. The ''H''-theorem has led to considerable discuss ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Modern Quantum Mechanics
''Modern Quantum Mechanics'', often called ''Sakurai'' or ''Sakurai and Napolitano'', is a standard graduate-level quantum mechanics textbook written originally by J. J. Sakurai and edited by San Fu Tuan in 1985, with later editions coauthored by Jim Napolitano. Sakurai died in 1982 before he could finish the textbook and both the first edition of the book, published in 1985 by Benjamin Cummings, and the revised edition of 1994, published by Addison-Wesley, were edited and completed by Tuan posthumously. The book was updated by Napolitano and released two later editions. The second edition was initially published by Addison-Wesley in 2010 and rereleased as an eBook by Cambridge University Press, who released a third edition in 2020. Table of Contents (3rd edition) * Prefaces * Chapter 1: Fundamental Concepts * Chapter 2: Quantum Dynamics * Chapter 3: Theory of Angular Momentum * Chapter 4: Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics * Chapter 5: Approximation Methods * Chapter 6: Scattering ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quantum Statistical Mechanics
Quantum statistical mechanics is statistical mechanics applied to quantum mechanical systems. In quantum mechanics a statistical ensemble (probability distribution over possible quantum states) is described by a density operator ''S'', which is a non-negative, self-adjoint, trace-class operator of trace 1 on the Hilbert space ''H'' describing the quantum system. This can be shown under various mathematical formalisms for quantum mechanics. One such formalism is provided by quantum logic. Expectation From classical probability theory, we know that the expectation of a random variable ''X'' is defined by its distribution D''X'' by : \mathbb(X) = \int_\mathbb \lambda \, d \, \operatorname_X(\lambda) assuming, of course, that the random variable is integrable or that the random variable is non-negative. Similarly, let ''A'' be an observable of a quantum mechanical system. ''A'' is given by a densely defined self-adjoint operator on ''H''. The spectral measure of ''A'' defined ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neutrons
The neutron is a subatomic particle, symbol or , which has a neutral (not positive or negative) charge, and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton. Protons and neutrons constitute the nuclei of atoms. Since protons and neutrons behave similarly within the nucleus, and each has a mass of approximately one atomic mass unit, they are both referred to as nucleons. Their properties and interactions are described by nuclear physics. Protons and neutrons are not elementary particles; each is composed of three quarks. The chemical properties of an atom are mostly determined by the configuration of electrons that orbit the atom's heavy nucleus. The electron configuration is determined by the charge of the nucleus, which is determined by the number of protons, or atomic number. The number of neutrons is the neutron number. Neutrons do not affect the electron configuration, but the sum of atomic and neutron numbers is the mass of the nucleus. Atoms of a chemical element that di ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
