Nonextensive statistical mechanics: Applications to high energy physics

Abstract

Nonextensive statistical mechanics was proposed in 1988 on the basis of the nonadditive entropy Sq = k[1 – Σipiq]/(q – 1) (q ∈ R) which generalizes that of Boltzmann-Gibbs SBG = S1 = –kΣipi ln pi. This theory extends the applicability of standard statistical mechanics in order to also cover a wide class of anomalous systems which violate usual requirements such as ergodicity. Along the last two decades, a variety of applications have emerged in natural, artificial and social systems, including high energy phenomena. A brief review of the latter will be presented here, emphasizing some open issues.