05-338 Walid K. Abou Salem

Nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics and thermodynamics (1380K, Postscript) Sep 26, 05

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Abstract. The purpose of this work is to discuss recent progress in deriving the fundamental laws of thermodynamics ($0^{th}, 1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$-law) from {\it nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics}. Basic thermodynamic notions are clarified and different {\it reversible} and {\it irreversible} thermodynamic processes are studied from the point of view of quantum statistical mechanics. Special emphasis is put on new adiabatic theorems for steady states {\it close to} and {\it far from} equilibrium, and on investigating cyclic thermodynamic processes using an extension of {\it Floquet} theory.

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