Particle Statistics: Explaining Klimontovich's Formulas and Logic

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The discussion revolves around the interpretation of Klimontovich's formulas related to particle statistics in plasma physics. The user seeks clarification on the logic behind the manipulation of phase densities and the implications of the delta functions in the equations presented. There is confusion regarding the meaning of certain symbols, such as the delta function and its role in the context of identical particles. Suggestions are made to provide additional resources or links that explain the underlying physics to facilitate better understanding. The conversation highlights the complexity of connecting mathematical formulations with physical concepts in statistical mechanics.
kaniello
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Hallo, I posted this in General Math, and I decided to post it here also because this room seems more appropriate. The formulas and part of the text are quoted from "Klimontovich - Statistical theory of non-equilibrium processes in a plasma":

Let N_{a}(\textbf{x},t) =\Sigma_{i=1,N_{a}}\delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{ai}) be the phase density of particles of species a and f_{N} the distribution function of the coordinates and momenta of the all N=\Sigma_{a} N_{a} particles of the system respectively.

The statistical average of N_{a} is then

\overline{N_{a}( \textbf{x},t )}=\int\sum_{i=1,N_{a}}\delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{ai})f_{N}<br /> \prod_{a}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a1}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a_{N_{a}}}

and since all the particles of one kind are identical

=N_{a} \int\delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{a1})f_{N}<br /> \prod_{a}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a1}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a_{N_{a}}}

If we define

f_{a}(\textbf{x}_{a1},t)=V \int f_{N}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a2}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a_{N_{a}}}<br /> \prod_{b\neq a}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{b1}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{b_{N_{b}}} where V is the volume of the particle, then we can write

\overline{N_{a}}( \textbf{x},t ) = n_{a} f_{a}(\textbf{x},t) where n_{a} is the mean concentration of particles of the kind a

Up to here everything seems ok. He now tries to connect the mean values of the products of the phase densities N_{a},N_{b} in the following way, where my problems come:

Splitting the double sum

\Sigma_{i=1,N_{a}}\Sigma_{j=1,N_{b}} \delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{ai}) \delta(\textbf{x}&#039;-\textbf{x}_{bj})

into the two parts (why?)

\Sigma_{i=1,N_{a}}\Sigma_{j=1,N_{b}}\delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{ai})\delta(\textbf{x}&#039;-\textbf{x}_{bj})

(for xaixbj when a=b)

+

\delta_{ab}\Sigma_{j=1,N_{a}} \delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}_{ai}) \delta(\textbf{x}-\textbf{x}&#039;)

we obtain, neglecting unity when compared with N_{a} (when do we compare unity with N_{a} ?)

\overline{N_{a}( \textbf{x},t )N_{b}( \textbf{x}&#039;,t)}=n_{a}n_{b}f_{ab} ( \textbf{x},\textbf{x}&#039;,t)+\delta_{ab}n_{a}\delta( \textbf{x}-\textbf{x}&#039;)f_{a}(\textbf{x},t)

where f_{ab}(\textbf{x}_{1a},\textbf{x}_{1b},t)=V^{2} \int f_{N}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a2}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{a_{N_{a}}}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{b2}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{b_{N_{b}}}\prod_{c \neq a,b}d^{6}\textbf{x}_{c1}...d^{6}\textbf{x}_{c_{N_{c}}}

So, please, can anyone explain me the logic behind this?


Thank you very much in advance,
Kaniello
 
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It would be hard for a person only familiar with mathematics to interpret this excerpt from a book on physics. For example, I don't know the the \delta is an indicator function, a Dirac \delta, or something else and I certainly don't know what \delta_{ab} or x' represents. You'll probably get a better answer by posting in a section of the forum that deals with statistical physics.

If you want help from a mathematician, I suggest that you give a link that explains the physics that is going on. For example, one link I found about "phase density" is the PDF http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sg=AFQjCNFYEck6SnQDMfBDreU8TobxNNzY4A&cad=rja
 
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