Statistical mechanics of a one-dimensional Coulomb system with a uniform charge background

Abstract

AbstractThis paper obtains an exact description of the statistical mechanics of a one-dimensional system of charged particles moving in a uniform neutralizing background of positive charge. These results are compared with the behaviour of a one-dimensional system of equal numbers of positive and negative charged particles. Although the thermodynamics of the two systems do differ, the discrepancy is small enough to indicate that the assumption of a uniform background of positive charge, common in statistical mechanical treatments of a plasma in equilibrium, may provide a good approximation to a real system of discrete charges.