Some Early Ideas on the Metric Geometry of Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores the application of metric geometry to thermodynamics, focusing on understanding critical phenomena in pure fluids, inspired by experimental work in low temperature physics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using metric geometry to analyze thermodynamic systems, particularly near critical points, linking experimental physics with theoretical insights.

Findings

Developed a geometric framework for thermodynamics.

Provided insights into the critical behavior of pure fluids.

Suggested future directions for geometric thermodynamics.

Abstract

It is a pleasure to write for this 90'th anniversary volume of Journal of Low Temperature Physics dedicated to Horst Meyer at Duke University. I was a PhD student with Horst in the period 1975-1980, working in experimental low temperature physics. While in Horst's group, I also did a theoretical physics project on the side. This project in the metric geometry of thermodynamics was motivated by my work in Horst's lab, and helped me to understand the theory of critical phenomena, very much in play in Horst's lab. In this paper, I explain the essence of my theory project and give a few accounts of its future development, focussing on topics where I interacted with Horst. I pay particular attention to the pure fluid critical point.