Statistical mechanics of Coulomb systems: From electrons and nuclei to atoms and molecules

TL;DR

This paper reviews the history and fundamental open problems in the statistical mechanics of Coulomb systems, focusing on electrons, nuclei, atoms, and molecules, highlighting contributions to understanding their thermodynamic limits.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview of joint work on Coulomb systems and discusses two key open problems in the field.

Findings

Discussion of the existence of the thermodynamic limit for Coulomb systems

Identification of two fundamental open problems in Coulomb systems

Historical perspective on research contributions to Coulomb statistical mechanics

Abstract

This article is dedicated to Elliott Lieb in celebration of his 90th birthday. I recount briefly some history of our joint work on the existence of the thermodynamic limit for Coulomb systems and discuss, even more briefly, two open problems of fundamental nature.