FA015 Statistical Physics of Particles and Fields

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. Rikard Sebastian von Unge, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Rikard Sebastian von Unge, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. Rikard Sebastian von Unge, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Abstract
Much of modern physics uses the tools of field theory. In this course, students are presented with a series of simple models that show phenomena common to particle and condensed matter physics. A number of useful tools and techniques will be introduced throughout the course. The models presented provide intuitive insights that are very useful for understanding complex real physical systems.
Learning outcomes
The student will gain knowledge of the modern functional approach to equilibrium and non-equilibrium field-theoretical models. The interpretation of the renormalization procedure used in Quantum Field Theory, gained from Statistical Physics is emphasized.
Key topics
1. Collective behavior, Phase transitions, Critical behavior 2. Landau-Ginzburg theory, mean field theory, saddle point approximation, continuous symmetry breaking, Goldstone modes 3. Fluctuations, correlation functions, susceptibilities, critical dimension, Gaussian integrals 4. The scaling hypothesis, divergence of the correlation length, the renormalization group 5. The perturbative renormalization group 6. Lattice systems 7. Series expansions, spin waves, the role of topology 8. Quantum phase transitions 9. Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • SACHDEV, Subir. Quantum phase transitions. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, xviii, 501. ISBN 9780521514682. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, exercises
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Homework assignments with an oral exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught every week.
General note: S.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2027.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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