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Equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

In: Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Heterostructure Semiconductor Devices: From Theory to Programming

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  • E. A. B. Cole

    (University of Leeds, Department of Applied Mathematics)

Abstract

The subject of thermodynamics deals with general systems and the relationships between the different macroscopic variables which describe each system. The first three Laws of thermodynamics will be introduced. In particular, the Second Law of thermodynamics leads to the related ideas of absolute temperature and entropy. Using the fact that the entropy of a system cannot decrease as it approaches equilibrium, the statistical entropy is introduced with properties which are related to those of the thermodynamic entropy. This statistical entropy is based on the probabilities of finding the system in its various microscopic states, and is shown to have the same form as Shannon’s information content. The maximisation of this entropy, subject to certain constraints, leads to Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics. The applications of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are rich and varied, but in Chapters 4 and 5 we will concentrate only on those aspects which are directly relevant to device modelling.

Suggested Citation

  • E. A. B. Cole, 2009. "Equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics," Springer Books, in: Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Heterostructure Semiconductor Devices: From Theory to Programming, chapter 0, pages 89-113, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-1-84882-937-4_3
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-84882-937-4_3
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