Ensemble equivalence for non-Bolztmannian distributions

Abstract

We discuss the possibility of using generalized canonical distributions, i.e. using other factors than $\exp (-\beta E)$, in order to compute the equilibrium properties of physical systems. It will be show that some other choices can, in certain cases, lead to a simpler calculation of those properties. The corresponding equivalence between the canonical and the generalized canonical distributions is derived using well-known principles of Statistical Mechanics and we exemplify the method by deriving in a simple way the equilibrium properties of the long--range Ising model.