On this page, you can find the latest preprint version of our introductory book on statistical mechanics. As there are already many such books, both for physicists and mathematicians, we believe it is important to describe what we aimed to achieve when we started with this project. Our goal was to write a book that is
- of limited scope: although we cover many important topics, we decided to limit the scope of the book. Among the most important topics that are not discussed (except, occasionally, in short notes), let us list: quantum models, non-lattice models, disordered systems, critical phenomena, stochastic dynamics.
- student-friendly: we tried to make the book as readable as possible, accessible to advanced undergraduates (say, what corresponds to master students in Europe), both in mathematics and physics. To achieve this end, we have refrained from stating and proving the most general claims possible, but discussed instead in detail particularly important (classes of) examples (among which the Ising model, the Curie-Weiss model, the Blume-Capel model, the Gaussian Free Field, the XY model, the Heisenberg model, etc). We also wanted the book to be more or less self-contained, so that we have included a (rather long) appendix introducing the required mathematical tools, and provided solutions to most of the exercises.
- based on the probabilistic approach to (rigorous) equilibrium statistical mechanics, even though we have not refrained from using other types of tools when needed. In particular, there is no discussion of explicit solutions for integrable models (apart from brief comments).
We keep on this page an up-to-date list of corrections to the book. So, please, do not hesitate to communicate to us any typo or error you spot. All these should be sent to us at introsmbook@gmail.com.
Reference to the published version
Friedli, S. and Velenik, Y.
Statistical Mechanics of Lattice Systems: A Concrete Mathematical Introduction
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-107-18482-4
DOI: 10.1017/9781316882603
Media
2019: Lectures based on earlier versions of Chapters 3, 8, 9 and 10, given by one of us (YV), September to December 2019, are being uploaded once a week on YouTube. They are in English (but with a heavy French accent 😂) . Alternatively, they can be found here (together with other lectures in the same program).
2015: Lectures based on earlier versions of Chapters 3, 8, 9 and 10, given by one of us (YV), have been uploaded on YouTube. They are in English (but with a heavy French accent 😂) . Alternatively, they can be found here (together with other lectures in the same program).2015: Lectures based on an earlier version of Chapter 3, given by Claudio Landim (IMPA), can be found here. They are in Portuguese.
Files
Here, you can find the final draft of the book. Its content should be nearly identical to the version published by Cambridge University Press, although the latter may have fewer grammatical and stylistic errors, thanks to their editorial work. We have also implemented, in the draft, the minor corrections listed in the errata. The numbering of the chapters, sections, equations, theorems, etc, is identical, but the page numbering is not.
Download the complete book [version: July 22 2017, with some typos fixed (August 27 2022)]Download the errata [version: August 27 2022]
Download Front Matter [version: July 22 2017]
In this chapter, we briefly (and somewhat heuristically) introduce equilibrium thermodynamics and equilibrium statistical mechanics, explaining the links between these two theories. We also provide an informal discussion of the van der Waals–Maxwell theory of condensation and of the paramagnet/ferromagnet phase transition. Finally, we make some general remarks on the role of the thermodynamic limit and the use of simple models. The chapter concludes with a roadmap to the book and an overview of the literature.
Download Chapter 1 [version: June 4 2022]
Mean-field models play a useful role, both from the physical and mathematical point of view, as first approximation to more realistic ones. This chapter provides a detailed account of the Curie–Weiss model, which can be seen as the mean-field version of the Ising model. The advantage is that this model exhibits a phase transition between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic behaviors that can be described with elementary tools. The approach is mostly combinatorial, but alternatives are described in complements.
Download Chapter 2 [version: July 1 2022]
The Ising model is possibly the simplest "realistic" model which exhibits a non-trivial collective behavior. As such, it has played, and continues to play, a central role in statistical mechanics. This chapter uses it to introduce several central notions (e.g., the thermodynamic limit and infinite-volume Gibbs states) and precise definitions (e.g., the analytic and the probabilistic definitions of first-order phase transitions and their equivalence). The complete phase diagram of the model is then constructed, in all dimensions. The analysis makes use of convexity properties of the pressure, correlation inequalities, low- and high-temperature expansions, Peierls' argument and the Lee–Yang theorem, all of which are discussed in detail. The chapter concludes with an extensive list of complements covering a wide range of topics.
Download Chapter 3 [version: March 31 2022]
Historically, the liquid-vapor equilibrium played a central role in the first theoretical studies of phase transitions. In this chapter, the mathematical description of the lattice gas is exposed in detail, as well as its mean-field and nearest-neighbor (Ising) versions. The mean-field (Kać) limit is also studied in a simple case, providing a rigorous justification of the van der Waals–Maxwell theory of condensation. The chapter concludes with several complements discussing more advanced questions.
Download Chapter 4 [version: August 27 2022]
The cluster expansion remains the most important perturbative technique in mathematical statistical mechanics. In this chapter, it is presented in a simple fashion and several applications to the Ising model and the lattice gas are presented. This tool is also used several times later in the book and plays, in particular, a central role in the implementation of the Pirogov–Sinai theory of Chapter 7.
Download Chapter 5 [version: August 27 2022]
In this chapter, we present a probabilistic description of infinite systems of particles at equilibrium, which is known nowadays as the theory of Gibbs measures or as the DLR (Dobrushin–Lanford–Ruelle) formalism. The theory is developed from scratch, restricting attention to models with finite single-spin-space to keep the exposition as simple as possible. The Ising model serves as a guiding example throughout the chapter. Several important aspects, such as Dobrushin's Uniqueness Theorem, spontaneous symmetry breaking, the properties of extremal measures and the extremal decomposition, are exposed in detail. At the end of the chapter, the variational principle is also introduced; the latter is closely linked with the basic concepts of equilibrium thermodynamics.
Download Chapter 6 [version: August 27 2022]
The Pirogov–Sinai theory is one of the very few general approaches to the rigorous study of first-order phase transitions. It yields, under rather weak assumptions, a sharp description of such phase transitions in perturbative regimes. In this chapter, this theory is first introduced in a rather general setting and then implemented in detail on one specific three-phase model: the Blume–Capel model.
Download Chapter 7 [version: April 25 2022]
In this chapter, the lattice version of the Gaussian Free Field is analyzed. Several features related to the non-compactness of its single-spin-space are discussed, exploiting the Gaussian nature of the model. We also derive the random walk representation that characterizes its mean and covariance structure. The recurrence properties of this random walk turn out to be crucial to analyze the thermodynamic limit.
Download Chapter 8 [version: February 4, 2020]
An important class of models with a continuous symmetry, including the XY and Heisenberg models, is studied in this chapter. The emphasis is on the implications of the presence of the continuous symmetry on long-range order in these models in low dimensions. In particular, a strong form of the celebrated Mermin–Wagner theorem is proved in an simple way. We then complement that with a discussion of correlations decay.
Download Chapter 9 [version: July 22 2017]
Reflection positivity is another tool that plays a central role in the rigorous study of phase transitions. We first expose it in detail, proving its two central estimates: the infrared bound and the chessboard estimate. We then apply the latter to obtain several results of importance. In particular, we prove the existence of a phase transition in the anisotropic XY model in dimensions $d\geq 2$, as well as in the (isotropic) $O(N)$ model in dimensions $d\geq 3$. Combined with the results of Chapter 9, this provides a detailed description of this type of systems in the thermodynamic limit.
Download Chapter 10 [version: February 4, 2020]
This appendix regroups short notes that are sometimes referred to in the text.
Download Appendix A [version: July 22 2017]
In this appendix, we introduce various mathematical topics used throughout the book, which might not be part of all undergraduate curricula. For example: elementary properties of convex functions, some aspects of complex analysis, measure theory, conditional expectation, random walks, etc., are briefly introduced, not always in a self-contained manner, often without proofs, but with references to the literature.
Download Appendix B [version: July 1 2022]
Hints or detailed solutions for most of the exercises of the book can be found in this appendix.
Download Appendix C [version: August 27 2022]
Download Bibliography [version: July 22 2017]
Download Index [version: January 14 2021]
Reviews and endorsements
Rigorous Statistical Mechanics has a long tradition, starting in the 1960s with Dobrushin, Lanford, Ruelle, Sinai and many other mathematical physicists. Yet, surprisingly, there has not been an up-to-date textbook on an introductory level. This gap is bridged masterly by the present book. It addresses the curious newcomer by employing a carefully designed structure, which starts from a physics introduction and then uses the two-dimensional Ising model as a stepping-stone towards the richness of the subject. The book will be enjoyed by students and researchers with an interest in either theoretical condensed matter physics or probability theory. Herbert Spohn, Technische Universität München
An excellent introduction to classical equilibrium statistical mechanics. There is clear concern with the understanding of ideas and concepts behind the various tools and models. Topics are presented through examples, making this book a genuine 'concrete mathematical introduction'. While reading it, my first wish was to use it as soon as possible in a course. It is a 'must' for the libraries of graduate programs in mathematics or mathematical physics. Maria Eulália Vares, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
This book is a marvelous introduction to equilibrium statistical mechanics for mathematically inclined readers, which does not sacrifice clarity in the pursuit of mathematical rigor. The book starts with basic definitions and a crash course in thermodynamics, and gets to sophisticated topics such as cluster expansions, the Pirogov-Sinai theory and infinite volume Gibbs measures through the discussion of concrete models. This book should be on the bookshelf of any serious student, researcher and teacher of mathematical statistical mechanics. Ofer Zeitouni, Weizmann Institute, Israel
Sacha Friedli and Yvan Velenik have succeeded in writing a unique, modern treatise on equilibrium statistical mechanics. They cover many fundamental concepts, techniques and examples in a didactic manner, providing a remarkable source of knowledge, grounded and refined by years of experience. Stimulating and appealing, this book is likely to inspire generations of students and scientists. Francis Comets, Université Paris Diderot
The authors have created an impressive book that shows its strengths in several ways: thoughtful organization and a well-designed presentation, real attention to the needs of the reader, and a very nice guide to the existing literature. It could be a model of how mathematical physics should be presented. Bill Satzer, MAA Reviews
Contact
Homepage of the authors: Sacha Friedli, Yvan Velenik