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Journal ArticleDOI

Nonextensive statistics: theoretical, experimental and computational evidences and connections

01 Mar 1999-Brazilian Journal of Physics (Sociedade Brasileira de Física)-Vol. 29, Iss: 1, pp 1-35
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the validity of standard thermodynamics and Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics, and then formally enlarge the domain to cover a variety of anomalous systems, where nonextensivity is understood in the thermodynamic sense.
Abstract: The domain of validity of standard thermodynamics and Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics is discussed and then formally enlarged in order to hopefully cover a variety of anomalous systems. The generalization concerns nonextensive systems, where nonextensivity is understood in the thermodynamical sense. This generalization was first proposed in 1988 inspired by the probabilistic description of multifractal geometries, and has been intensively studied during this decade. In the present effort, after introducing some historical background, we briefly describe the formalism, and then exhibit the present status in what concerns theoretical, experimental and computational evidences and connections, as well as some perspectives for the future. In addition to these, here and there we point out various (possibly) relevant questions, whose answer would certainly clarify our current understanding of the foundations of statistical mechanics and its thermodynamical implications.

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Citations
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Book ChapterDOI

[...]

01 Jan 2022
TL;DR: The concept of entropy constitutes, together with energy, a cornerstone of contemporary physics and related areas as discussed by the authors , and it was originally introduced by Clausius in 1865 along abstract lines focusing on thermodynamical irreversibility of macroscopic physical processes.
Abstract: The concept of entropy constitutes, together with energy, a cornerstone of contemporary physics and related areas. It was originally introduced by Clausius in 1865 along abstract lines focusing on thermodynamical irreversibility of macroscopic physical processes. In the next decade, Boltzmann made the genius connection—further developed by Gibbs—of the entropy with the microscopic world, which led to the formulation of a new and impressively successful physical theory, thereafter named statistical mechanics. The extension to quantum mechanical systems was formalized by von Neumann in 1927, and the connections with the theory of communications and, more widely, with the theory of information were respectively introduced by Shannon in 1948 and Jaynes in 1957. Since then, over fifty new entropic functionals emerged in the scientific and technological literature. The most popular among them are the additive Renyi one introduced in 1961, and the nonadditive one introduced in 1988 as a basis for the generalization of the Boltzmann–Gibbs and related equilibrium and nonequilibrium theories, focusing on natural, artificial and social complex systems. Along such lines, theoretical, experimental, observational and computational efforts, and their connections to nonlinear dynamical systems and the theory of probabilities, are currently under progress. Illustrative applications, in physics and elsewhere, of these recent developments are briefly described in the present synopsis.

877 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Levy walk model combines two key features, the ability to generate anomalously fast diffusion and a finite velocity of a random walker, and has been widely used in many fields.
Abstract: Random walk is a fundamental concept with applications ranging from quantum physics to econometrics. Remarkably, one specific model of random walks appears to be ubiquitous across many fields as a tool to analyze transport phenomena in which the dispersal process is faster than dictated by Brownian diffusion. The Levy walk model combines two key features, the ability to generate anomalously fast diffusion and a finite velocity of a random walker. Recent results in optics, Hamiltonian chaos, cold atom dynamics, bio-physics, and behavioral science demonstrate that this particular type of random walks provides significant insight into complex transport phenomena. This review provides a self-consistent introduction to Levy walks, surveys their existing applications, including latest advances, and outlines further perspectives.

527 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the conceptual problems arising in the definition and measurement of temperature in non-equilibrium states are discussed in situations where the local equilibrium hypothesis is no longer satisfactory, and a wide review of proposals is offered on effective nonequilibrium temperatures and their application to ideal and real gases, electromagnetic radiation, nuclear collisions, granular systems, glasses, sheared fluids, amorphous semiconductors and turbulent fluids.
Abstract: The conceptual problems arising in the definition and measurement of temperature in non-equilibrium states are discussed in this paper in situations where the local-equilibrium hypothesis is no longer satisfactory. This is a necessary and urgent discussion because of the increasing interest in thermodynamic theories beyond local equilibrium, in computer simulations, in non-linear statistical mechanics, in new experiments, and in technological applications of nanoscale systems and material sciences. First, we briefly review the concept of temperature from the perspectives of equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Afterwards, we explore which of the equilibrium concepts may be extrapolated beyond local equilibrium and which of them should be modified, then we review several attempts to define temperature in non-equilibrium situations from macroscopic and microscopic bases. A wide review of proposals is offered on effective non-equilibrium temperatures and their application to ideal and real gases, electromagnetic radiation, nuclear collisions, granular systems, glasses, sheared fluids, amorphous semiconductors and turbulent fluids. The consistency between the different relativistic transformation laws for temperature is discussed in the new light gained from this perspective. A wide bibliography is provided in order to foster further research in this field.

406 citations


Cites background from "Nonextensive statistics: theoretica..."

  • ...We briefly mention some attempt to extend the Boltzmann–Gibbs statistical mechanics to fractal situations (Tsallis 1988, 1999, Tsallis et al 1998)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a deformed algebra related to the q-exponential and q-logarithm functions is presented, and a q-derivative for which the qexponential is an eigenfunction is presented.
Abstract: We present a deformed algebra related to the q-exponential and the q-logarithm functions that emerge from nonextensive statistical mechanics. We also develop a q-derivative (and consistently a q-integral) for which the q-exponential is an eigenfunction. The q-derivative and the q-integral have a dual nature, that is also presented.

359 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how kappa distributions arise naturally from Tsallis statistical mechanics, and provided a solid theoretical basis for describing and analyzing complex systems out of equilibrium.
Abstract: [1] Empirically derived kappa distributions are becoming increasingly widespread in space physics as the power law nature of various suprathermal tails is melded with more classical quasi-Maxwellian cores. Two different mathematical definitions of kappa distributions are commonly used and various authors characterize the power law nature of suprathermal tails in different ways. In this study we examine how kappa distributions arise naturally from Tsallis statistical mechanics, which provides a solid theoretical basis for describing and analyzing complex systems out of equilibrium. This analysis exposes the possible values of kappa, which are strictly limited to certain ranges. We also develop the concept of temperature out of equilibrium, which differs significantly from the classical equilibrium temperature. This analysis clarifies which of the kappa distributions has primacy and, using this distribution, the kinetic and physical temperatures become one, both in and out of equilibrium. Finally, we extract the general relation between both types of kappa distributions and the spectral indices commonly used to parameterize space plasmas. With this relation, it is straightforward to compare both spectral indices from various space physics observations, models, and theoretical studies that use kappa distributions on a consistent footing that minimizes the chances for misinterpretation and error. Now that the connection is complete between empirically derived kappa distributions and Tsallis statistical mechanics, the full strength and capability of Tsallis statistical tools are available to the space physics community for analyzing and understanding the kappa-like properties of the various particle and energy distributions observed in space.

320 citations

References
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Book
01 Jan 1982
TL;DR: This book is a blend of erudition, popularization, and exposition, and the illustrations include many superb examples of computer graphics that are works of art in their own right.
Abstract: "...a blend of erudition (fascinating and sometimes obscure historical minutiae abound), popularization (mathematical rigor is relegated to appendices) and exposition (the reader need have little knowledge of the fields involved) ...and the illustrations include many superb examples of computer graphics that are works of art in their own right." Nature

24,199 citations

Book
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5,898 citations

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5,597 citations

MonographDOI
14 Sep 2000

1,233 citations