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D. H. E. Gross

Publications and source records attributed to D. H. E. Gross.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2006

Challenges about entropy

The physical meaning of entropy is analyzed in the context of statistical, nuclear, atomic physics and cosmology. Only the microcanonical Boltzmann entropy leads to no contradictions in several simple, elementary and for thermodynamics important situations. The conventional canonical statistics implies several serious errors and misinterpretations. This has far reaching consequences for phase-separations as well for the usual formulations of the second law. Applications in cosmology suffer under the ubiquitous use of canonical statistics. New reformulations in terms of microcanonical statistics are highly demanded but certainly difficult.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2005

Reconciliation of Statistical Mechanics and Astro-Physical Statistics. The errors of conventional canonical thermostatistics

Conventional thermo-statistics address infinite homogeneous systems within the canonical ensemble. (Only in this case this is equivalent to the fundamental microcanonical ensemble.) However, some 170 years ago the original motivation of thermodynamics was the description of steam engines, i.e. boiling water. Its essential physics is the separation of the gas phase from the liquid. Of course, boiling water is inhomogeneous and as such cannot be treated by conventional thermo-statistics. Then it is not astonishing, that a phase transition of first order is signaled canonically by a Yang-Lee singularity. Thus it is only treated correctly by microcanonical Boltzmann-Planck statistics. It turns out that the Boltzmann-Planck statistics is much richer and gives fundamental insight into statistical mechanics and especially into entropy. This can be done to a far extend rigorously and analytically. As no extensivity, no thermodynamic limit, no concavity, no homogeneity is needed, it also applies to astro-physical systems. The deep and essential difference between ``extensive'' and ``intensive'' control parameters, i.e. microcanonical and canonical statistics, is exemplified by rotating, self-gravitating systems. In the present paper the necessary appearance of a convex entropy S(E) and negative heat capacity at phase separation in small as well macroscopic systems independently of the range of the force is pointed out. Thus the old puzzle of stellar statistics is finally solved, the appearance of negative heat capacity which is forbidden and cannot appear in the canonical formalism.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Microcanonical Thermostatistics, the basis for a New Thermodynamics, "heat can flow from cold to hot", and nuclear multifragmentation. The correct treatment of Phase Separation after 150 years of statistical mechanics

Equilibrium statistics of finite Hamiltonian systems is fundamentally described by the microcanonical ensemble (ME). Canonical, or grand-canonical partition functions are deduced from this by Laplace transform. Only in the thermodynamic limit are they equivalent to ME for homogeneous systems. Therefore ME is the only ensemble for non-extensive/inhomogeneous systems like nuclei or stars where the $\lim_{N\to \infty,ρ=N/V=const}$ does not exist. Conventional canonical thermo-statistic is inapplicable for non-extensive systems. This has far reaching fundamental and quite counter-intuitive consequences for thermo-statistics in general: Phase transitions of first order are signaled by convexities of $S(E,N,Z,...)$ \cite{gross174}. Here the heat capacity is {\em negative}. In these cases heat can flow from cold to hot! The original task of thermodynamics, the description of boiling water in heat engines can now be treated. Consequences of this basic peculiarity for nuclear statistics as well for the fundamental understanding of Statistical Mechanics in general are discussed. Experiments on hot nuclei show all these novel phenomena in a rich variety. The close similarity to inhomogeneous astro physical systems will be pointed out. \keyword{Microcanonical statistics, first order transitions, phase separation, steam engines, nuclear multifragmentation, negative heat capacity}

nucl-th↗
arXiv2005

Reply to Jarzynski's comment cond-mat/0509344

A short reply to Jarzynski's comment cond-mat/0509344 on my paper ``Flaw of Jarzynski's equality when applied to systems with several degrees of freedom'' (cond--mat/0508721) is presented.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Negative heat-capacity at phase-separations in microcanonical thermostatistics of macroscopic systems with either short or long-range interactions

Conventional thermo-statistics address infinite homogeneous systems within the canonical ensemble. However, some 170 years ago the original motivation of thermodynamics was the description of steam engines, i.e. boiling water. Its essential physics is the separation of the gas phase from the liquid. Of course, boiling water is inhomogeneous and as such cannot be treated by conventional thermo-statistics. Then it is not astonishing, that a phase transition of first order is signaled canonically by a Yang-Lee singularity. Thus it is only treated correctly by microcanonical Boltzmann-Planck statistics. This was elaborated in the talk presented at this conference. It turns out that the Boltzmann-Planck statistics is much richer and gives fundamental insight into statistical mechanics and especially into entropy. This can be done to a far extend rigorously and analytically. The deep and essential difference between ``extensive'' and ``intensive'' control parameters, i.e. microcanonical and canonical statistics, was exemplified by rotating, self-gravitating systems. In the present paper the necessary appearance of a convex entropy $S(E)$ and the negative heat capacity at phase separation in small as well macroscopic systems independently of the range of the force is pointed out.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

On the foundation of thermodynamics by microcanonical thermostatistics. The microscopic origin of condensation and phase separations

Conventional thermo-statistics address infinite homogeneous systems within the canonical ensemble. However, some 170 years ago the original motivation of thermodynamics was the description of steam engines, i.e. boiling water. Its essential physics is the separation of the gas phase from the liquid. Of course, boiling water is inhomogeneous and as such cannot be treated by conventional thermo-statistics. Then it is not astonishing, that a phase transition of first order is signaled canonically by a Yang-Lee singularity. Thus it is only treated correctly by microcanonical Boltzmann-Planck statistics. This is elaborated in the present paper. It turns out that the Boltzmann-Planck statistics is much richer and gives fundamental insight into statistical mechanics and especially into entropy. This can be done to a far extend rigorously and analytically. The deep and essential difference between ``extensive'' and ``intensive'' control parameters, i.e. microcanonical and canonical statistics, is exemplified by rotating, self-gravitating systems. In this paper the necessary appearance of a convex entropy $S(E)$ and the negative heat capacity at phase separation in small as well macroscopic systems independently of the range of the force is pointed out. The appearance of a critical end-point for the liquid-gas transition in the $p-E$ or $V-E$ phase diagram can be easily explained as well the non-existence of a critical end-point of the solid-liquid transition.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Negative heat capacity at phase-separation in macroscopic systems

Systems with long-range as well with short-range interactions should necessarily have a convex entropy S(E) at proper phase transitions of first order, i.e. when a separation of phases occurs. Here the microcanonical heat capacity c(E)= -\frac{(\partial S/\partial E)^2}{\partial^2S/\partial E^2} is negative. This should be observable even in macroscopic systems when energy fluctuations with the surrounding world can be sufficiently suppressed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Microscopic statistical basis of classical Thermodynamics of finite systems

Heat can flow from cold to hot at any phase separation. Therefore Lynden-Bell's gravo-thermal catastrophe must be reconsidered. The original objects of Thermodynamics, the separation of phases at first order phase transitions, like boiling water in steam engines, are not described by a single canonical ensemble. Inter-phase fluctuations are not covered. The basic principles of statistical mechanics, especially of phase transitions have to be reconsidered without the use of the thermodynamic limit. Then thermo-statistics applies also to nuclei and large astronomical systems. A lot of similarity exists between the accessible phase space of fragmenting nuclei and inhomogeneous multi stellar systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

A New Thermodynamics from Nuclei to Stars III

Equilibrium statistics of Hamiltonian systems is correctly described by the microcanonical ensemble. Classically this is the manifold of all points in the $N-$body phase space with the given total energy. Due to Boltzmann's principle, $e^S=tr(δ(E-H))$, its geometrical size is related to the entropy $S(E,N,...)$. This definition does not invoke any information theory, no thermodynamic limit, no extensivity, and no homogeneity assumption, as are needed in conventional (canonical) thermo-statistics. Therefore, it describes the equilibrium statistics of extensive as well of non-extensive systems. Due to this fact it is the {\em fundamental} definition of any classical equilibrium statistics. It can address nuclei and astrophysical objects as well. All kind of phase transitions can be distinguished sharply and uniquely for even small systems. It is further shown that the second law is a natural consequence of the statistical nature of thermodynamics which describes all systems with the same -- redundant -- set of few control parameters simultaneously. It has nothing to do with the thermodynamic limit. It even works in systems which are by far {\em larger} than any thermodynamic "limit".

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Nuclear statistics, microcanonical or canonical? The physicists vs. the chemists approach

Nuclei are small and inhomogeneous. Multi-fragmented nuclei are even more inhomogeneous and the fragments even smaller. System studied in chemical thermodynamics (CTh) consist of several homogeneous macroscopic phases. Evidently, macroscopic statistics as in Chemistry cannot and should not be applied. Taking this serious, fascinating perspectives open for statistical nuclear fragmentation.

nucl-th↗
arXiv2005

The microcanonical thermodynamics of finite systems: The microscopic origin of condensation and phase separations; and the conditions for heat flow from lower to higher temperatures

Microcanonical thermodynamics allows the application of statistical mechanics both to finite and even small systems and also to the largest, self-gravitating ones. However, one must reconsider the fundamental principles of statistical mechanics especially its key quantity, entropy. Whereas in conventional thermostatistics, the homogeneity and extensivity of the system and the concavity of its entropy are central conditions, these fail for the systems considered here. For example, at phase separation, the entropy, S(E), is necessarily convex to make exp[S(E)-E/T] bimodal in E. Particularly, as inhomogeneities and surface effects cannot be scaled away, one must be careful with the standard arguments of splitting a system into two subsystems, or bringing two systems into thermal contact with energy or particle exchange. Not only the volume part of the entropy must be considered. As will be shown here, when removing constraints in regions of a negative heat capacity, the system may even relax under a flow of heat (energy) against a temperature slope. Thus the Clausius formulation of the second law: ``Heat always flows from hot to cold'', can be violated. Temperature is not a necessary or fundamental control parameter of thermostatistics. However, the second law is still satisfied and the total Boltzmann entropy increases. In the final sections of this paper, the general microscopic mechanism leading to condensation and to the convexity of the microcanonical entropy at phase separation is sketched. Also the microscopic conditions for the existence (or non-existence) of a critical end-point of the phase-separation are discussed. This is explained for the liquid-gas and the solid-liquid transition.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2005

Microcanonical Thermostatistics as Foundation of Thermodynamics. The microscopic origin of condensation and phase separations

Conventional thermo-statistics address infinite homogeneous systems within the canonical ensemble. However, some 150 years ago the original motivation of thermodynamics was the description of steam engines, i.e. boiling water. Its essential physics is the separation of the gas phase from the liquid. Of course, boiling water is inhomogeneous and as such cannot be treated by canonical thermo-statistics. Then it is not astonishing, that a phase transition of first order is signaled canonically by a Yang-Lee singularity. Thus it is only treated correctly by microcanonical Boltzmann-Planck statistics. This is elaborated in the present article. It turns out that the Boltzmann-Planck statistics is much richer and gives fundamental insight into statistical mechanics and especially into entropy. This can even be done to some extend rigorously and analytically. The microcanonical entropy has a very simple physical meaning: It measures the microscopic uncertainty that we have about the system, i.e. the number of points in $6N$-dim phase, which are consistent with our information about the system. It can rigorously be split into an ideal-gas part and a configuration part which contains all the physics and especially is responsible for all phase transitions. The deep and essential difference between ``extensive'' and ``intensive'' control parameters, i.e. microcanonical and canonical statistics, is exemplified by rotating, self-gravitating systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

Heat can flow from cold to hot in Microcanonical Thermodynamics of finite systems. The microscopic origin of condensation and phase separations

Microcanonical Thermodynamics allows the application of Statistical Mechanics on one hand to closed finite and even small systems and on the other to the largest,self-gravitating ones. However, one has to reconsider the fundamental principles of Statistical Mechanics especially its key quantity, entropy. Whereas in conventional Thermostatistics the homogeneity and extensivity of the system and the concavity of its entropy S(E) are central conditions, these fail for the systems considered here. E.g. at phase separation the entropy S(E) is necessarily convex to make e^{S(E)-E/T} bimodal in E (the two coexisting phases). This is so even for normal macroscopic systems with short-range coupling. As inhomogeneities and surface effects in particular cannot be scaled away,one has to be careful with the standard arguments of splitting a system into two or bringing two systems into thermal contact. Not only the volume part of the entropy must be considered. When removing an external constraint in regions of a negative heat capacity, the system may even relax under a flow of heat (energy) against the temperature slope. Thus Clausius formulation of the Second Law: "Heat always flows from hot to cold" can be violated. Temperature is not a necessary or fundamental control parameter of Thermostatistics. In the final sections of this paper the general microscopic mechanism leading to condensation and to the convexity of the microcanonical entropy S(E) at phase separation is sketched. Also the microscopic conditions for the existence or non-existence of a critical end-point of the phase-separation are discussed. This is explained for the liquid--gas and the solid--liquid transition.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

Apparent fractal dimensions in the HMF model

We show that recent observations of fractal dimensions in the $μ$-space of $N$-body Hamiltonian systems with long-range interactions are due to finite $N$ and finite resolution effects. We provide strong numerical evidence that, in the continuum (Vlasov) limit, a set which initially is not a fractal (e.g. a line in 2D) remains such for all finite times. We perform this analysis for the Hamiltonian Mean Field (HMF) model, which describes the motion of a system of $N$ fully coupled rotors. The analysis can be indirectly confirmed by studying the evolution of a large set of initial points for the Chirikov standard map.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

Classical Equilibrium Thermostatistics, "Sancta sanctorum of Statistical Mechanics", From Nuclei to Stars

Equilibrium statistics of Hamiltonian systems is correctly described by the microcanonical ensemble. Classically this is the manifold of all points in the N-body phase space with the given total energy. Due to Boltzmann-Planck's principle, e^S=tr(δ(E-H)), its geometrical size is related to the entropy S(E,N,V,...). This definition does not invoke any information theory, no thermodynamic limit, no extensivity, and no homogeneity assumption. Therefore, it describes the equilibrium statistics of extensive as well of non-extensive systems. Due to this fact it is the fundamental definition of any classical equilibrium statistics. It addresses nuclei and astrophysical objects as well. S(E,N,V,...) is multiply differentiable everywhere, even at phase-transitions. All kind of phase transitions can be distinguished harply and uniquely for even small systems. What is even more important, in contrast to the canonical theory, also the region of phase-space which corresponds to phase-separation is accessible, where the most interesting phenomena occur. No deformed q-entropy is needed for equilibrium. Boltzmann-Planck is the only appropriate statistics independent of whether the system is small or large, whether the system is ruled by short or long range forces.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2004

The microcanonical entropy is multiply differentiable. No dinosaurs in microcanonical gravitation: No special "microcanonical phase transitions"

The microcanonical entropy $S=\ln[W(E)]$ is the {\em geometrical measure} of the microscopic redundancy or ignorance about the N-body system. {\em Even for astronomical large systems} is the microcanonical entropy everywhere {\em single valued and multiply differentiable}. Also the microcanonical temperature is at all energies single valued and differentiable. It is further shown that the recently introduced singularities of the {\em microcanonical} entropy like "microcanonical phase transitions", and exotic patterns of the {\em microcanonical} caloric curve $T(E)$ like multi-valuednes or the appearance of "dinosaur's necks" are inconsistent with Boltzmann's fundamental definition of entropy.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗