Boltzmann’s Legacy

Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann (1844–1906) was an Austrian physicist famous for his founding contributions in the fields of statistical mechanics and statistical thermodynamics. He was one of the most important advocates for atomic theory when that scientific model was still highly controversial. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death in Duino, the International Symposium “Boltzmann's Legacy” was held at the Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematical Physics in June 2006.

This text covers a wide spectrum of topics ranging from equilibrium statistical and nonequilibrium statistical physics, ergodic theory and chaos to basic questions of biology and historical accounts of Boltzmann's work. Besides the lectures presented at the symposium the volume also contains contributions specially written for this occasion. The articles give a broad overview of Boltzmann's legacy to the sciences from the standpoint of some of present day's leading scholars in the field.

The book addresses students and researchers in mathematics, physics and the history of science.