particle statistics

Noun

particle statistics (uncountable)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see particle, statistics.
2. (statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics) Any of certain theories, in classical physics or (particularly) quantum mechanics, that model the behaviour of collections of particles of identical type.
   • This circumstance, which is much different from classical particle statistics, reflects the way in which states are counted in Bose-Einstein statistics.1984, P. W. Milonni, “Wave-Particle Duality of Light: A Current Perspective”, in S. Diner, D. Fargue, G. Lochak, F. Selleri, editors, The Wave-Particle Dualism: A Tribute to Louis de Broglie on his...
   • A choice of particle statistics in quantum mechanics is equivalent to choosing representations Uₙ, of π₁(Mₙ), for all n, in the quantization procedure described in §1.2; see (1.3).
   • Thus, for a system of point particles in d > 3 dimensional, physical space, particle statistics is described by the symmetry character of wave functions under permutations of particle positions.1990, Jurg Frohlich, Quantum Statistics and Locality, D. G. Caldi, George D. Mostow (editors), Proceedings of the Gibbs Symposium: Yale University, May 15-17, 1989, American Mathematical Society...