Lecture Content:

  • Foundations of Statistical Mechanics (Liouville equation, equilibrium averages, time correlation functions, fluctuations)
  • Causality and response theory (fluctuation-dissipation theorem, Onsager reciprocal relations, Kramers-Kronig relations)
  • Memory and friction, projection formalism
  • Stochastic processes (Langevin equation, velocity autocorrelation functions, mean-square displacements, spectroscopy)
  • Fokker-Planck equation, Master equation, Markov models, kinetic equations
  • Reaction rate theory
  • Dynamic path integrals
  • Non-equilibrium thermodynamics (entropy production, stability, stationary non-equilibrium states)

The lecture is suggested for students who have attended a course on Thermodynamics and Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics. A script is available under "Resources“.

Tutorials (tentative)

Friday 1.1.53 E2 10:00 - 12:00 Louis Lehmann
Friday 1.4.03 T2 14:00 - 16:00 Antom Klimek


Please join one of the tutorials via Section Info.

Problem Sets

You will find the problem sets in the section "Assignments". The problem sets will be uploaded on Fridays and shall be handed in via white board 10 days later by Monday 8:00 AM, after which they will be discussed in the tutorials in the following week. Maximally two students can hand in one solution. The first problem set will handed out on Friday October 20 and will be discussed in the week of October 30. A "zeroth" problem set with bonus points that deals with mathematical basics will be available on the first day of classes on October 16 and will be discussed in the tutorials during the week of October 23.

Exam

A written exam with a duration of 90 minutes will take place most likely during the first two weeks after the term has ended. For the successful completion of the module you need to reach 50 % of the points in the problem sets and you need to pass the exam.

Literature

Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, Robert Zwanzig
Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, S.R. de Groot and P. Mazur
The Fokker-Planck equation, H. Risken
Stochastic processes in physics and chemistry, N.G. van Kampen
Lecture script

Lecture locations

Since the lecture halls in the Physics Department will be renovated there will be changes in location:

Mo 16.10.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 18.10.23, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 23.10.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 25.10.23, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 30.10.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 1.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 6.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 8.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 13.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 15.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 20.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 22.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 27.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 29.11.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 4.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 6.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 11.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS B, Arnimallee 22
We 13.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00  SR 032, Arnimallee 6
Mo 18.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 20.12.23, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 8.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 10.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 15.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 17.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 22.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 24.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 29.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 31.1.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 5.2.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 7.2.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
Mo 12.2.24, 10:15 - 12:00 lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14
We 14.2.24, 10:15 - 12:00  lecture hall HS A, Arnimallee 14