Statistical Mechanics of Dynamical Systems With Topological Phase Transitions

Abstract

Dynamical system properties give rise to effects in Statistical Mechanics. Topological index changes can be the basis for phase transitions. The Euler characteristic is a versatile topological invariant that can be evaluated for model systems. These recent developments in the foundations of Statistical Mechanics, that are giving new results, provide insight into the statistical thermodynamics of small N systems, such as molecular and spin clusters. This paper uses model systems to give a basis for redefining partition functions in classical statistical mechanics. It includes the properties of dynamical systems, namely, KAM Torii, singular points and chaotic regions. The equipotential surfaces and the Morse and Euler index for it are defined. The conditions for the toplogy change in configuration space, and its effect on the partition function and the ensemble average quantities is found. The justification for topological phase transitions and their thermodynamic interpretation are discussed.