The aim of this book is the pedagogical exploration of the basic
principles of quantum-statistical thermodynamics as applied to various
states of matter - ranging from rare gases to astrophysical matter with
high-energy density. The reader will learn in this work that
thermodynamics and quantum statistics are still the concepts on which
even the most advanced research is operating - despite of a flood of
modern concepts, classical entities like temperature, pressure, energy
and entropy are shown to remain fundamental.
The physics of gases, plasmas and high-energy density matter is still a
growing field and even though solids and liquids dominate our daily
life, more than 99 percent of the visible Universe is in the state of
gases and plasmas and the overwhelming part of matter exists at extreme
conditions connected with very large energy densities, such as in the
interior of stars.
This text, combining material from lectures and advanced seminars given
by the authors over many decades, is a must-have introduction and
reference for both newcomers and seasoned researchers alike.