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Statistical mechanics of an ideal Bose gas in a confined geometry

Lookup NU author(s): Professor David Toms

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Abstract

We study the behaviour of an ideal non-relativistic Bose gas in a three-dimensional space where one of the dimensions is compactified to form a circle. In this case, there is no phase transition like that for the case of an infinite volume, nevertheless Bose-Einstein condensation signified by a sudden buildup of particles in the ground state can occur. We use the grand canonical ensemble to study this problem. In particular, the specific heat is evaluated numerically, as well as analytically in certain limits. We show analytically how the familiar result for the specific heat is recovered as we let the size of the circle become large so that the infinite volume limit is approached. We also examine in detail the behaviour of the chemical potential and establish the precise manner in which it approaches zero as the volume becomes large. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Toms DJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General

Year: 2006

Volume: 39

Issue: 4

Pages: 713-722

ISSN (print): 0305-4470

ISSN (electronic):

Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/39/4/001

DOI: 10.1088/0305-4470/39/4/001


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