Book Hunt: Statistical Treatment of Macroscopic Maxwell Eqns

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the need for alternative sources regarding the statistical mechanical derivation of macroscopic Maxwell equations, as suggested by Jackson's textbook. The user is preparing a project on near-field resonances and seeks a statistical mechanics version of Jackson's equation 6.96. They mention the rarity and high cost of de Groot's "Foundations of Electrodynamics," which complicates access to the material. Some participants express skepticism about the relevance of de Groot's work, suggesting that Jackson's treatment may not be reliable for contemporary solid-state physics. Recommendations for alternative texts, such as "The Dielectric Function of Condensed Systems," are provided to aid in the user's research.
Twigg
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
893
Reaction score
483
Hello all,

Jackson Ch. 6 (3rd edition) tells the reader to look at de Groot for a statistical mechanical derivation of the macroscopic Maxwell equations. I figure he means "Foundations of Electrodynamics" by S. R. de Groot. I requested that book be sent to my school library on loan, but I was wondering in the meanwhile if anyone is familiar with the subject matter and has alternative sources.

I'm looking for this material for a project. As a final project for my independent study, I am giving a 30 minute talk in which I explain the origin of near-field resonances at subwavelength distances outside a dielectric and paint a clear picture of what happens microscopically, both inside and outside the material. I am focusing my discussion on the content of "Near-Field Spectral Effects due to Electromagnetic Surface Excitations" by A. V. Shchegrov et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, pgs. 1548-51 (2000), which considers thermal currents for source terms. I want to have a slide with the stat. mech. version of Jackson's equation equation 6.96, below in shortened form. By stat. mech. version of this equation, I mean a form in which the averages are done on the ensemble instead of using a spatial kernel.

$$ \langle j_{\alpha}(\vec{x},t) \rangle = J_{\alpha}(\vec{x},t) + \frac{\partial}{\partial t} [D_{\alpha}(\vec{x},t) - E_{\alpha}(\vec{x},t)] + \epsilon_{\alpha \beta \gamma} \partial_{\beta} M_{\gamma}(\vec{x},t) + \partial_{\beta} \langle \Sigma_{n (molecules)} 2(p_{n})_{[ \alpha}(v_{n})_{\beta ]} \delta(\vec{x} - \vec{x_{n}}) \rangle - \frac{1}{6} \partial_{\beta} \partial_{\gamma} \langle \Sigma_{n (molecules)} 2(v_{n})_{[ \gamma}(Q'_{n})_{\alpha ] \beta} \delta(\vec{x} - \vec{x_{n}}) \rangle + ...$$
where ##\vec{j}## is the microscopic current as opposed to the macroscopic current ##\vec{J}##

Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, but I can find only one copy of "Foundations of Electrodynamics". By S. R. de Groot. available worldwide. From Zubal Books, Cleveland, Ohio. Hardcover, ISBN 0444103708 Publisher: Noord-Hollandsche U.M, 1972. 535 pages. The used book price is AU$380, about US$275, probably because it is rare.

Use; https://www.bookfinder.com It integrates many new and used book suppliers in one search, including Amazon.
Where possible, buy books from Amazon through the PF link to support this forum.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/support-pf-buy-on-amazon-com-from-here.473931/
 
  • Like
Likes dextercioby and Twigg
I don't think de Groot is still relevant, if it ever was. The assumption, that a macroscopic object is built up from molecules, which can be treated as independent, is simply not correct beyond classical mechanics or diluted gasses. Take also in mind that Jackson wasn't a solid state physicist, so his presentation of electrodynamcis of continua is not as reliable as the rest of his book.
I can recommend
The Dielectric Function of Condensed Systems
edited by L.V. Keldysh,A.A. Maradudin,D.A. Kirzhnitz

especially chapters 1 and 4.
 
  • Like
Likes Twigg
Thread 'Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux'
So here is the motional EMF formula. Now I understand the standard Faraday paradox that an axis symmetric field source (like a speaker motor ring magnet) has a magnetic field that is frame invariant under rotation around axis of symmetry. The field is static whether you rotate the magnet or not. So far so good. What puzzles me is this , there is a term average magnetic flux or "azimuthal mean" , this term describes the average magnetic field through the area swept by the rotating Faraday...

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
42
Views
10K
Replies
16
Views
6K
Back
Top