QUANTUM LIMITS TO THE SECOND LAW: First International Conference on Quantum Limits to the Second Law

First International Conference on Quantum Limits to the Second Law

Daniel P. Sheehan, University of San Diego, Department of Physics, San Diego, CA, USA

Conference Location and Date: San Diego, California, 28-31 July 2002

Subseries: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics; Mathematical and Statistical Physics

Published November 2002; ISBN 0-7354-0098-9 One Volume, Print; 522 pages; 6 3/8 X 9 1/4 inches; Hardcover; $165.00

Readership: physicists working in classical and quantum statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as well as thermal physics; physical chemists; historians and philosophers of science

The Second Law of Thermodynamics (the law of "increasing disorder") is fundamental to all the sciences and is considered inviolable by the general scientific community. This volume represents the first book in an emerging renaissance of second law studies. It covers the first international conference in more than 100 years - and perhaps, ever - to explore challenges to the second law's absolute status and to many unresolved foundational issues surrounding it. These collected papers represent work by more than 100 researchers from over 25 countries, many of whom are prominent in the fields of classical and quantum statistical thermodynamics. Much of the research is original and, if verified by the scientific community, could lead to paradigm shifts in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

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