F. Vasko – Quantum Kinetic Theory and Applications

Автор: F. Vasko
Название книги: Quantum Kinetic Theory and Applications
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Физика
Страницы: 791
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Physical kinetics is the final section of the course of theoretical physics
in its standard presentation. It stays at the boundary between general
theories and their applications (solid state theory, theory of gases,
plasma, and so on), because the treatment of kinetic phenomena always
depends on specific structural features of materials. On the other hand,
the physical kinetics as a part of the quantum theory of macroscopic
systems is far from being complete. A number of its fundamental issues,
such as the problem of irreversibility and mechanisms of chaotic
responses, are now attracting considerable attention. Other important
sections, for example, kinetic phenomena in disordered and/or strongly
non-equilibrium systems and, in particular, phase transitions in these
systems, are currently under investigation. The quantum theory of measurements
and quantum information processing actively developing in
the last decade are based on the quantum kinetic theory.
Because a deductive theoretical exposition of the subject is not convenient,
the authors restrict themselves to a lecture-style presentation.
Now the physical kinetics seems to be at the stage of development when,
according to Newton, studying examples is more instructive than learning
rules. In view of these circumstances, the methods of the kinetic
theory are presented here not in a general form but as applications for
description of specific systems and treatment of particular kinetic phenomena.
The quantum features of kinetic phenomena can arise for several reasons.
One naturally meets them in strongly correlated systems, when it
is impossible to introduce weakly interacting quasiparticles (for example,
in a non-ideal plasma), or in more complicated conditions, such as
in the vicinity of the phase transitions. Next, owing to complexity of
the systems like superconductors, ferromagnets, and so on, the manifestations
of kinetic phenomena change qualitatively. The theoretical consideration of these cases can be found in the literature. Another reason
for studying quantum features of transport and optical phenomena has
emerged in the past decades, in connection with extensive investigation
of kinetic phenomena under strong external fields and in nanostructures.
The quantum features of these phenomena follow from non-classical dynamics
of quasiparticles, and these are the cases the present monograph
takes care of, apart from consideration of standard problems of quantum
transport theory. Owing to intensive development of the physics of
nanostructures and wide application of strong external (both stationary
and time-dependent) fields for studying various properties of solids, the
theoretical methods presented herein are of current importance for analysis
and interpretation of the experimental results of modern solid state
physics.
This monograph is addressed to several categories of readers. First,
it will be useful for graduate students studying theory. Second, the topics
we cover should be interesting for postgraduate students of various
specializations. Third, the researchers who want to understand the background
of modern theoretical issues in more detail can find a number
of useful results here. The phenomena we consider involve kinetics of
electron, phonon, and photon systems in solids. The dynamical properties
and interactions of electrons, phonons, and photons are briefly
described in Chapter 1. Further, in Chapters 2−8, we present main theoretical
methods: linear response theory, various kinetic equations for
the quasiparticles under consideration, and diagram technique. The presentation
of the key approaches is always accompanied by solutions of
concrete problems, to illustrate applications of the theory. The remaining
chapters are devoted to various manifestations of quantum transport
in solids. The choice of particular topics (their list can be found in the
Contents) is determined by their scientific importance and methodological
value. The 268 supplementary problems presented at the end of the
chapters are chosen to help the reader to study the material of the monograph.
Focusing our attention on the methodical aspects and discussing
a great diversity of kinetic phenomena in line with the guiding principle
“a method is more important than a result,” we had to minimize both
detailed discussion of physical mechanisms of the phenomena considered
and comparison of theoretical results to experimental data.
It should be emphasized that the kinetic properties are the important
source of information about the structure of materials, and many
peculiarities of the kinetic phenomena are used for device applications.
These applied aspects of physical kinetics are not covered in detail either.
However, the methods presented in this monograph provide the theoretical
background both for analysis of experimental results and for device simulation. In the recent years, these theoretical methods were applied
for the above-mentioned purposes so extensively that any comprehensive
review of the literature seems to be impossible in this book. For this
reason, we list below only a limited number of relevant monographs and
reviews.