Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword to the first edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Preface to the second edition
- Introduction
- 1 Theory of Gibbs states
- 2 Gibbs states: complements
- 3 Translation invariance. Theory of equilibrium states
- 4 Connection between Gibbs states and Equilibrium states
- 5 One-dimensional systems
- 6 Extension of the thermodynamic formalism
- 7 Statistical mechanics on Smale spaces
- Appendix A.1 Miscellaneous definitions and results
- Appendix A.2 Topological dynamics
- Appendix A.3 Convexity
- Appendix A.4 Measures and abstract dynamical systems
- Appendix A.5 Integral representations on convex compact sets
- Appendix B Open problems
- Appendix C Flows
- Appendix D Update of open problems
- References
- Index
Foreword to the first edition
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 January 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword to the first edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Preface to the second edition
- Introduction
- 1 Theory of Gibbs states
- 2 Gibbs states: complements
- 3 Translation invariance. Theory of equilibrium states
- 4 Connection between Gibbs states and Equilibrium states
- 5 One-dimensional systems
- 6 Extension of the thermodynamic formalism
- 7 Statistical mechanics on Smale spaces
- Appendix A.1 Miscellaneous definitions and results
- Appendix A.2 Topological dynamics
- Appendix A.3 Convexity
- Appendix A.4 Measures and abstract dynamical systems
- Appendix A.5 Integral representations on convex compact sets
- Appendix B Open problems
- Appendix C Flows
- Appendix D Update of open problems
- References
- Index
Summary
Thermodynamics is still, as it always was, at the center of physics, the standard-bearer of successful science. As happens with many a theory, rich in applications, its foundations have been murky from the start and have provided a traditional challenge on which physicists and mathematicians alike have tested their latest skills.
Ruelle's book is perhaps the first entirely rigorous account of the foundations of thermodynamics. It makes heavier demands on the reader's mathematical background than any volume published so far. It is hoped that ancillary volumes in time will be published which will ease the ascent onto this beautiful and deep theory; at present, much of the background material can be gleaned from standard texts in mathematical analysis. In any case, the timeliness of the content shall be ample reward for the austerity of the text.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Thermodynamic FormalismThe Mathematical Structure of Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics, pp. xv - xviPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004
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