Entry requirements

120 credits with Statistical Mechanics.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to :

• use partitition functions in the context of path integrals,
• explain the concept of phase transitions and the physics at or near critical points,
• explain the renormalisation group and the flow to infrared fixed points,
• apply the theory of Landau's Fermi liquid theory,
• explain BCS superconductivity using statistical mechanics.

Content

Partition functions for several statistical mechanical models; models described by an interacting scalar field theory; Matsubara frequencies and finite temperature; critical points; spontaneous symmetry breaking and phase transitions; Landau Fermi liquid theory; BCS theory of superconductivity.

Instruction

Lectures

Assessment

Hand in assignments during the course.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.