Challenges to the second law of thermodynamics : theory and experiment
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Bibliographic Information
Challenges to the second law of thermodynamics : theory and experiment
（Fundamental theories of physics, v. 146）
Springer, c2005
- : hb
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Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The advance of scienti?c thought in ways resembles biological and geologic transformation: long periods of gradual change punctuated by episodes of radical upheaval. Twentieth century physics witnessed at least three major shifts - relativity, quantum mechanics and chaos theory - as well many lesser ones. Now, st early in the 21 , another shift appears imminent, this one involving the second law of thermodynamics. Over the last 20 years the absolute status of the second law has come under increased scrutiny, more than during any other period its 180-year history. Since the early 1980's, roughly 50 papers representing over 20 challenges have appeared in the refereed scienti?c literature. In July 2002, the ?rst conference on its status was convened at the University of San Diego, attended by 120 researchers from 25 countries (QLSL2002) [1]. In 2003, the second edition of Le?'s and Rex's classic anthology on Maxwell demons appeared [2], further raising interest in this emerging ?eld. In 2004, the mainstream scienti?c journal Entropy published a special edition devoted to second law challenges [3]. And, in July 2004, an echo of QLSL2002 was held in Prague, Czech Republic [4]. Modern second law challenges began in the early 1980's with the theoretical proposals of Gordon and Denur. Starting in the mid-1990's, several proposals for experimentally testable challenges were advanced by Sheehan, et al. By the late 1990's and early 2000's, a rapid succession of theoretical quantum mechanical ? challenges were being advanced by C apek, et al.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
1: Entropy and the Second Law
1.1 Early Thermodynamics
1.2 The Second Law: Twenty-One Formulations
1.3 Entropy: Twenty-One Varieties
1.4 Nonequilibrium Entropy
1.5 Entropy and the Second Law: Discussion
1.6 Zeroth and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
References
2: Challenges (1870-1980)
2.1 Maxwell's Demon and Other Victorian Devils
2.2 Exorcising Demons
2.3 Inviolability Arguments
2.4 Candidate Second Law Challenges
References
3: Modern Quantum Challenges: Theory
3.1 Prolegomenon
3.2 Thermodynamic Limit and Weak Coupling
3.3 Beyond Weak Coupling: Quantum Correlations
3.4 Allahverdyan and Nieuwenhuizen Theorem
3.5 Scaling and Beyond
3.6 Quantum Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Models
3.7 Disputed Quantum Models
3.8 Kinetics in the DC Limit
3.9 Theoretical Summary
References
4: Low-Temperature Experiments and Proposals
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Superconductivity
4.3 Keefe CMCE Engine
4.4 Nikulov Inhomogeneous Loop
4.5 Bose-Einstein Condensation and the Second Law
4.6 Quantum Coherence and Entanglement
References
5: Modern Classical Challenges
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Gordon Membrane Models
5.3 Denur Challenges
5.4 Crosignani-Di Porto Adiabatic Piston
5.5 Trupp Electrocaloric Cycle
5.6 Liboff Tri-Channel
5.7 Thermodynamic Gas Cycles
References
6: Gravitational Challenges
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Asymmetric Gravitator Model
6.3 Loschmidt Gravito-Thermal Effect
References
7: Chemical Nonequilibrium Steady States
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Chemical Paradox and Detailed Balance
7.3 Pressure Gradients and Reactions Rates
7.4 Numerical Simulations
7.5 Laboratory Experiments
7.6 Discussion and Outlook
References 8: Plasma Paradoxes
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Plasma I System
8.3 Plasma II System
8.4 Jones andCruden Criticisms
References
9: MEMS/NEMS Devices
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Thermal Capacitors
9.3 Linear Electrostatic Motor (LEM)
9.4 Hammer-Anvil Model
9.5 Experimental Prospects
References
10: Special Topics
10.1 Rubrics for Classical Challenges
10.2 Thermosynthetic Life
10.3 Physical Eschatology
10.4 The Second Law Mystique
References
Color Plates
Index
by "Nielsen BookData"
