1997/08/15 by Dorje C. Brody, Brody, Dorje C., Lane P. Hughston +1 · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #gr-qc
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.gr-qc/9708032
31 pages, RevTeX
arxiv created 1997/08/15 · openalex publication_date 1997/08/15 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Classical and quantum statistical mechanics are cast here in the language of projective geometry to provide a unified geometrical framework for statistical physics. After reviewing the Hilbert space formulation of classical statistical thermodynamics, we introduce projective geometry as a basis for analysing probabilistic aspects of statistical physics. In particular, the specification of a canonical polarity on RPn induces a Riemannian metric on the state space of statistical mechanics. In the case of the canonical ensemble, we show that equilibrium thermal states are determined by the Hamiltonian gradient flow with respect to this metric. This flow is concisely characterised by the fact that it induces a projective automorphism on the state manifold. The measurement problem for thermal systems is studied by the introduction of the concept of a random state. The general methodology is then extended to include the quantum mechanical dynamics of equilibrium thermal states. In this case the relevant state space is complex projective space, here regarded as a real manifold endowed with the natural Fubini-Study metric. A distinguishing feature of quantum thermal dynamics is the inherent multiplicity of thermal trajectories in the state space, associated with the nonuniqueness of the infinite temperature state. We are then led to formulate a geometric characterisation of the standard KMS-relation often considered in the context of C*-algebras. The example of a quantum spin one-half particle in heat bath is studied in detail.