Quantum Kinetic Theory and Applications

Physicalkineticsisthe?nalsectionofthecourseoftheoreticalphysics in its standard presentation. It stays at the boundary between g- eral theories and their applications (solid state theory, theory of gases, plasma, and so on), because the treatment of kinetic phenomena always depends on speci?c 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 - sues, 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 m- surements 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 c- venient, 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 lea- ing 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 speci?c systems and treatment of particular kinetic p- nomena. The quantum features of kinetic phenomena can arise for several r- sons.

From the reviews:

"In this monograph, the authors shed light on the nonequilibrium properties of quantum dynamical systems. The monograph can also serve as a good reference source for the study of the kinetics of magnetic phenomena, ballistics and multichannel kinetics and fluctuations. The monograph should be useful to undergraduates in higher-level courses, graduate students, and researchers in understanding current theoretical methods for investigating various aspects of nonequilibrium multiparticle quantum systems." (M. Yu. Rasulova, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 i)

"This book treats many aspects of charge transport and optical phenomena in semiconductors, under the unifying approach of quantum kinetic theory. This is certainly a rich and up-to-date monograph, written with undeniable expertise and dealing with topics of interest in solid state physics and semiconductor technology. The book is addressed to graduate students or researchers with some background in quantum and statistical mechanics . However, for the applied mathematician this monograph can be the source of mathematical problems ." (Luigi Barletti, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1125 (2), 2008)

Texte du rabat

This lecture-style monograph is addressed to several categories of readers. First, it will be useful for graduate students studying theory. Second, the topics covered 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 covered 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, the authors present the 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 ways to apply the theory. The remaining chapters are devoted to various manifestations of quantum transport in solids. The choice of particular topics is determined by their scientific importance and methodological value. The 267 supplementary problems presented in the ends of chapters are offered to guide the reader in self-study. Focusing attention on the methodological aspects and discussing a great diversity of kinetic phenomena, in keeping with the guiding principle "a method is more important than a result", the authors minimize both detailed discussion of physical mechanisms of the phenomena considered and comparison of theoretical results to experimental data.

Contenu
Elements of Quantum Dynamics.- Electron-Impurity System.- Linear Response Theory.- Bosons Interacting with Electrons.- Interacting Phonon Systems.- Effects of Electron-Electron Interaction.- Non-Equilibrium Electrons.- Non-Equilibrium Diagram Technique.- Kinetics of Bounded Systems.- Quantum Magnetotransport.- Photoexcitation.- Ballistic and Hopping Transport.- Multi-Channel Kinetics.- Fluctuations.