Generalized thermostatistics and mean-field theory

The present paper studies a large class of temperature dependent probability distributions and shows that entropy and energy can be defined in such a way that these probability distributions are the equilibrium states of a generalized thermostatistics. This generalized thermostatistics is obtained from the standard formalism by deformation of exponential and logarithmic functions. Since this procedure is non-unique, specific choices are motivated by showing that the resulting theory is well-behaved. In particular, the equilibrium state of any system with a finite number of degrees of freedom is, automatically, thermodynamically stable and satisfies the variational principle. The equilibrium probability distribution of open systems deviates generically from the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution. If the interaction with the environment is not too strong then one can expect that a slight deformation of the exponential function, appearing in the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution, can reproduce the observed temperature dependence. An example of a system, where this statement holds, is a single spin of the Ising chain. The connection between the present formalism and Tsallis' thermostatistics is discussed. In particular, the present generalization sheds some light onto the historical development of the latter formalism.Comment: version accepted for publication in Physica

Generalised exponential families and associated entropy functions

A generalised notion of exponential families is introduced. It is based on the variational principle, borrowed from statistical physics. It is shown that inequivalent generalised entropy functions lead to distinct generalised exponential families. The well-known result that the inequality of Cramer and Rao becomes an equality in the case of an exponential family can be generalised. However, this requires the introduction of escort probabilities.Comment: 20 page

Quantum statistical manifolds: the linear growth case

A class of vector states on a von Neumann algebra is constructed. These states belong to a deformed exponential family. One specific deformation is considered. It makes the exponential function asymptotically linear. Difficulties arising due to non-commutativity are highlighted.Comment: 24 pages, 12pt, A4; improved version, now making use of the commutant algebr

Parameter estimation in nonextensive thermostatistics

Equilibrium statistical physics is considered from the point of view of statistical estimation theory. This involves the notions of statistical model, of estimators, and of exponential family. A useful property of the latter is the existence of identities, obtained by taking derivatives of the logarithm of the partition sum. It is shown that these identities still exist for models belonging to generalised exponential families, in which case they involve escort probability distributions. The percolation model serves as an example. A previously known identity is derived. It relates the average number of sites belonging to the finite cluster at the origin, the average number of perimeter sites, and the derivative of the order parameter.Comment: 7 pages in revtex4, part of the talk given at the conference NEXT200

On the Emergence of the Coulomb Forces in Quantum Electrodynamics

A simple transformation of field variables eliminates Coulomb forces from the theory of quantum electrodynamics. This suggests that Coulomb forces may be an emergent phenomenon rather than being fundamental. This possibility is investigated in the context of reducible quantum electrodynamics. It is shown that states exist which bind free photon and free electron fields. The binding energy peaks in the long-wavelength limit. This makes it plausible that Coulomb forces result from the interaction of the electron/positron field with long-wavelength transversely polarized photons.Comment: Presented at the 5th Winter Workshop on Non-Perturbative Quantum Field Theory, 22-24 March 2017, Sophia-Antipolis (France