Entropy and curvature variations from effective potentials

Abstract

By using the Jacobi metric of the configuration space, and assuming ergodicity, we calculate the Boltzmann entropy $S$ of a finite-dimensional system around a non-degenerate critical point of its potential energy $V$. We compare $S$ with the entropy of a quantum or thermal system with effective potential $V_{eff}$. We examine conditions, up to first order in perturbation theory, under which these entropies are equal.