The thermodynamics of light

Abstract

These notes introduce some of the basic mathematical and physical tools neccessary for theoretical investigations into the thermodynamics properties of light in cavities. The notes were created while preparing for a project in this area were we noted that many of the tools neccessary for these investigations are spread out over the physics and mathematics litterature with videly varying styles, notation, technical level and expected mathematical and physical sofistication from the readers. We found that bringing together the basic tools from mathematical and theoretical physics neccessary for studing the thermodynamical properties of light in cavities, in a set of notes with a uniform style, notation and level of sofistication was useful for communication between the members of the research team. By publishing the notes we hope that they will also be useful for other research teams entering this field of science.