260020 VO Phase transitions in solids - statistical models (2008S)

Application of statistical physics to solids containing several kinds of atoms and defects. In the focus are problems relating to atom configuration (order and phase separation), models for the equilibrium state of solid solutions, and atomistic kinetics. Among the topics treated are: Random variables, probabilites, statistical ensembles, quantum statistics, order-disorder transitions. The Ising model, the Bragg-Williams approximation, higher-order approximations, cluster variation method (CVM), cluster expansion (CE), atom jump processes, Monte Carlo simulation of configurational kinetics.

The lecture series "phase transitions in solids; phenomenology and thermodynamics" is not a precondition for this lecture series. Both parts are independent and complementary.