Quantum Many-Body Physics
Module PH2256
Module version of WS 2017/8
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WS 2022/3 | WS 2021/2 | WS 2020/1 | WS 2019/20 | WS 2018/9 | WS 2017/8 |
Basic Information
PH2256 is a semester module in German or English language at which is offered in winter semester.
This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.
- Theory courses for condensed matter physics
- Theory courses for Applied and Engineering Physics
- Focus Area Theoretical Quantum Science & Technology in M.Sc. Quantum Science & Technology
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for nuclear, particle, and astrophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Biophysics
- Specialization Modules in Elite-Master Program Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (TMP)
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 h | 90 h | 10 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2256 in the version of WS 2017/8 was Michael Knap.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
This course provides a modern introduction to many-body physics. It covers basic theoretical methods and their application to various problems of condensed matter theory, such as the interacting electron gas, phonons in solids, quantum magnetism, and superconductivity. Throughout the class relations between experiments and theory will be emphasized. This course will provide students the basic knowledge to follow state-of-the-art research in condensed matter physics and to be able to start their independent research project in that field.
Outline:
Introduction
(1) Landau Theory
(2) Quantum phases of matter
(3) Second Quantization
(4) Transverse Field Ising Model
Functional Field Integrals
(5) Feynman's Path Integral in Single-particle QM
(6) Bosonic and Fermionic Coherent States
(7) Functional Field Integrals for the Partition Function
Weakly Interacting Bose Gas
(8) Non-interacting bosons
(9) Weakly interacting bosons
(10) Consequences of a broken continuous symmetry
(11) Superfluidity
(12) Thermal disorder and BKT transition
Linear Response Theory
(13) Response functions
(14) Fluctuation-dissipation relations
(15) Analytic Properties of Correlation Functions
(16) Sum rules
(17) Structure Factor of a Superfluid
Fermi-Liquid Theory
(18) The non-interacting Fermi gas
(19) The main results of Fermi-Liquid Theory
(20) Quasi-particle excitations
(21) Interacting fermion Greens functions and self energy
(22) Momentum distribution function
(23) Landau's phenomenological approach
The interacting electron gas
(24) Hatree-Fock Approximation
(25) Coulomb interactions
(26) Screening and random phase approximation
(27) Collective modes
A general framework for studying broken symmetries and collective behavior
(28) Hubbard-Stratonovic transformation
(29) Functional integral perspective on the interacting electron gas
(30) Superconductivity
(31) Fluctuations and Ginzburg-Landau Theory
(32) Anderson-Higgs Mechanism
(33) Flux quantization and vortices in superconductors
(34) Spin-Liquids
The practical classes support the lectures with tutorials and problem sets. The tutorials provide complementary perspectives and the problem sets will help to understand and deepen the physical concepts presented in the lecture.
Learning Outcome
Students who have successfully participated in this module are able to:
- follow the current literature of condensed matter theory
- start their own research project in this field
- understand the concept of quantum phase transitions
- use technical tools such as second quantiyation, coherent states, functional integrals, and Hubbard-Stratonovic transformations
- explain the weaklz interacting Bose gas and the consequences of spontaneous symmetry breaking
- apply linear response theory
- analyze the interacting electron gas and explain the basic concepts of Fermi liquid theory
- use functional integrals as a general technique to understtand symmetry broken phases
Preconditions
No preconditions in addition to the requirements for the Master’s program in Physics.
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Courses and Schedule
| Type | SWS | Title | Lecturer(s) | Dates | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VO | 4 | Quantum Many-Body Physics | Knap, M. |
Mon, 08:30–10:00, PH HS3 Wed, 16:00–18:00, PH HS2 |
eLearning |
| UE | 2 | Exercise to Quantum Many-Body Physics |
Arzi, O.
Birnkammer, S.
Zechmann, P.
Zerba, C.
Responsible/Coordination: Knap, M. |
dates in groups | |
| UE | 2 | Open Tutorial to Quantum Many-Body Physics |
Responsible/Coordination: Knap, M. |
dates in groups |
Learning and Teaching Methods
Media
Blackboard presentation in combination with computer presentations to discuss experimental results.
Literature
A. Altland, B. Simons: "Condensed Matter Field Theory"
A. L. Fetter, J. D. Walecka: “Quantum theory of many-particle systems”
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
The achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using presentations independently prepared by the students. The exam of 25 minutes consists of the presentation and a subsequent discussion.
For example an assignment in the exam might be: Goldstone and Higgs modes in condensed matter, Unconventional Superconductivity, Vortices in trapped condensates, Collective excitations in superfluids, etc
Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester.