Thermodynamics and the Quantum Transport of Particles and Entropy

The connection between macroscopic thermodynamics, quantum statistics, and quantum transport is discussed. It is proposed to employ not particles, but elementary Fermi- or Bose-systems as the elementary building blocks of ideal quantum gases. In this way, the transport not only of particles, but also of entropy can be derived in a concise way, and is illustrated both for ballistic quantum wires, and for diffusive conductors. In particular, the quantum interference effects in entropy transport are in close correspondence to those of electric charge transport.