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Contemporary Physics

Some recent developments in the many-body problem

D. ter Haar

Published Dec 1, 1959• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Summary A brief account is given of the reasons why the many-body problem has recently become the subject of a rapidly expanding literature. After a survey of the main ideas of recent theories, it is shown how these ideas have played a rôle in giving us a better understanding of such topics as superconductivity, plasmas, and liquid helium. In the theory of the many-body problem the main branches of theoretical physics applied are Hamiltonian mechanics or quantum mechanics (to describe the motion of the constituent particles of the many-body system under consideration) and statistical mechanics (to describe the collective action of the large number of particles in the system). As these subjects are relatively advanced we have discussed in an appendix the main concepts of Hamiltonian mechanics and some of those of quantum statistics, including the definition and some of the properties of fermions and bosons.

DOI
10.1080/00107515908202602

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Summary A brief account is given of the reasons why the many-body problem has recently become the subject of a rapidly expanding literature. After a survey of the main ideas of recent theories, it is shown how these ideas have played a rôle in giving us a better understanding of such topics as superconductivity, plasmas, and liquid helium. In the theory of the many-body problem the main branches of theoretical physics applied are Hamiltonian mechanics or quantum mechanics (to describe the motion of the constituent particles of the many-body system under consideration) and statistical mechanics (to describe the collective action of the large number of particles in the system). As these subjects are relatively advanced we have discussed in an appendix the main concepts of Hamiltonian mechanics and some of those of quantum statistics, including the definition and some of the properties of fermions and bosons.
The interaction among fundamental particles in nature leads to many interesting effects in quantum statistical mechanics; examples include superconductivity for charged systems and superfluidity in cold gases. It is a huge challenge for mathematical physics to understand the collective behavior of systems containing a large number of particles, emerging from known microscopic interactions. In this workshop we brought together researchers working on different aspects of many-body quantum mechanics to discuss recent developments, exchange ideas and propose new challenges and research directions.
Liquids and solids, atoms and molecules, nuclei—all these clearly are interacting many-body systems. Even a nucleon may be regarded as a manyparticle system, not just because it is now known to consist of three quarks interacting via gluons, but because of the possibility in quantum field theory of virtual excitation of many particles from the vacuum. in the table page 56 we list some of the many-particle systems we encounter in the physical world at length scales that range from a few centimeters to a few fermis. Many of these systems exhibit phenomena—superconductivity in solids and fission in nuclei, for example—whose understanding does not follow immediately from knowledge of the constituents of the system and the interactions among the constituents, but requires new concepts and ideas. Many-body physics is the branch of theoretical physics that studies the new phenomena or “emergent properties” that arise from interactions among “elementary” constituents of a many-particle system and provides means and methods for carrying out precise calculations of such characteristic properties of these systems as may be compared with experimental results to verify hypotheses about the nature of the constituents and their interactions.
In this article a survey is given of the present status of the quantum theory of many-particle systems with special emphasis on the underlying principles. Very little is said about applications. A brief introduction to some models, which are of interest for an approximate or qualitative description of actual physical systems, is followed by a discussion of two important phenomena in many-particle systems: quasi-particles and collective excitations. Next, an outline is given of mathematical methods which have been used for a precise treatment of such phenomena. A rather thorough discussion of the Bogoliubov model for interacting bosons, and the BCS model for fermions, serves as an illustration. Some new features, typical of many-particle systems, are discussed on the basis of these models. Also another approach to the many-body problem is discussed which is more logical and mathematically more rigorous. This approach differs from standard procedures in that the limit Ω-> infinity, N -> infinity is not taken at the end of the calculations but in the beginning. This quantum theory of infinite systems leads, among other things, to a better understanding of the models mentioned above.
Statistical physics examines the collective properties of large ensembles of particles, and is a powerful theoretical tool with important applications across many different scientific disciplines. This book provides a detailed introduction to classical and quantum statistical physics, including links to topics at the frontiers of current research. The first part of the book introduces classical ensembles, provides an extensive review of quantum mechanics, and explains how their combination leads directly to the theory of Bose and Fermi gases. This allows a detailed analysis of the quantum properties of matter, and introduces the exotic features of vacuum fluctuations. The second part discusses more advanced topics such as the two-dimensional Ising model and quantum spin chains. This modern text is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in the role of statistical physics in current research. 140 homework problems reinforce key concepts and further develop readers' understanding of the subject.
Statistical Physics examines the collective properties of large ensembles of particles, and is a powerful tool with important applications across many different disciplines. This book provides a detailed introduction to classical and quantum statistical physics, including links to topics at the frontiers of current research. The first part of the the book introduces classical ensemble, provides an extensive review of Quantum Mechanics, and explains how their combination leads to the theory of Bose and Fermi gases. This allows a detailed analysis of the quantum properties of matter and introduces the exotic features of vacuum fluctuations. The second part discusses more advanced topics such as the two-dimensional Ising model and quantum spin chains. This modern text is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in the role of statistical physics in current research. One hundred and forty homework problems reinforce key concepts and further develop reader's understanding of the subject.