On the theory of open systems: statistical thermodynamics and decomposition type phase transitions for the model of an alloy under irradiation

We discuss a generalization of statistical thermodynamics to the open system case using as an example the model of an alloy under irradiation. The statistical properties of the stationary states are described with the use of generalized thermodynamic potentials and “quasi-interactions” determined from the master equation for probabilities. Methods for solution of this equation are illustrated by mean-field type calculations of correlators, thermodynamic potentials and phase diagrams for disordered alloys.