The generalized canonical ensemble and its universal equivalence with the microcanonical ensemble (Q2574166)

The problem of ensemble equivalence is a fundamental one lying at the foundations of equilibrium statistical mechanics. The authors show that when the microcanonical ensemble is nonequivalent with the canonical ensemble on a subset of values of the energy, it is often possible to slightly modify the definition of the canonical ensemble so as to recover equivalence with microcanonical ensemble. They give conditions under which one can construct a modified or generalized canonical ensemble that is equivalent to the microcanonical ensemble when the canonical ensemble is not. This generalizes the results of [\textit{R. S. Ellis, K. Haven} and \textit{B. Turkington}, J. Stat. Phys. 101, 999--1064 (2000; Zbl 0989.82004)].