The relativistic Bose gas

Abstract

The quantum statistical mechanics of an ideal relativistic Bose gas of massive particles is discussed. The thermodynamic functions of the system are obtained from the exact expression for the logarithm of the grand partition function. The correct procedure for carrying out the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic limits is presented. The limitations and errors of previous calculations which relied on the binomial expansion of the density of states are pointed out. It is shown that the behaviour of the system in the limit of zero temperature is dominated by the non-relativistic effects.