Ideal Quantum Gases

As a preliminary to discussing the properties of Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac gases, this chapter presents the basic quantum equations that underlie both. The process of building N-body states from single-particle states is described, along with notation necessary to simplify the problem. The average number of particles in a given energy state and chemical potential is derived for fermions and bosons. Although all atoms are either bosons or fermions, and therefore indistinguishable, there are nevertheless real systems that are composed of distinguishable particles. Although all atoms are either bosons or fermions, and therefore indistinguishable, there are nevertheless real systems that are composed of distinguishable particles.