Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2019

Physics Master Information
Electives
Electives: Physics and Mathematics
Selection: Theoretical Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0461-00LQuantum Information TheoryW8 credits3V + 1UR. Renner
AbstractThe goal of this course is to introduce the foundations of quantum information theory. It starts with a brief introduction to the mathematical theory of information and then discusses the basic information-theoretic aspects of quantum mechanics. Further topics include applications such as quantum cryptography and quantum computing.
ObjectiveThe course gives an insight into the notion of information and its relevance to physics and, in particular, quantum mechanics. It also serves as a preparation for further courses in the area of quantum information sciences.
402-0811-00LProgramming Techniques for Scientific Simulations IW5 credits4GR. Käppeli
AbstractThis lecture provides an overview of programming techniques for scientific simulations. The focus is on basic and advanced C++ programming techniques and scientific software libraries. Based on an overview over the hardware components of PCs and supercomputer, optimization methods for scientific simulation codes are explained.
Objective
402-0809-00LIntroduction to Computational PhysicsW8 credits2V + 2UL. Böttcher
AbstractThis course offers an introduction to computer simulation methods for physics problems and their implementation on PCs and super computers. The covered topics include classical equations of motion, partial differential equations (wave equation, diffusion equation, Maxwell's equations), Monte Carlo simulations, percolation, phase transitions, and complex networks.
ObjectiveStudents learn to apply the following methods: Random number generators, Determination of percolation critical exponents, numerical solution of problems from classical mechanics and electrodynamics, canonical Monte-Carlo simulations to numerically analyze magnetic systems. Students also learn how to implement their own numerical frameworks and how to use existing libraries to solve physical problems. In addition, students learn to distinguish between different numerical methods to apply them to solve a given physical problem.
ContentIntroduction to computer simulation methods for physics problems. Models from classical mechanics, electrodynamics and statistical mechanics as well as some interdisciplinary applications are used to introduce the most important object-oriented programming methods for numerical simulations (typically in C++). Furthermore, an overview of existing software libraries for numerical simulations is presented.
Lecture notesLecture notes and slides are available online and will be distributed if desired.
LiteratureLiterature recommendations and references are included in the lecture notes.
Prerequisites / NoticeLecture and exercise lessons in english, exams in German or in English
402-0580-00LSuperconductivityW6 credits2V + 1UV. Geshkenbein
AbstractSuperconductivity: thermodynamics, London and Pippard theory; Ginzburg-Landau theory: spontaneous symmetry breaking, flux quantization, type I and II superconductors; microscopic BCS theory: electron-phonon mechanism, Cooper pairing, quasiparticle spectrum, thermodynamics and response to magnetic fields. Josephson effect: superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) and other applications.
ObjectiveIntroduction to the most important concepts of superconductivity both on phenomenological and microscopic level, including experimental and theoretical aspects.
ContentThis lecture course provides an introduction to superconductivity, covering both experimental as well as theoretical aspects. The following topics are covered:
Basic phenomena of superconductivity: thermodynamics, electrodynamics, London and Pippard theory; Ginzburg-Landau theory: spontaneous symmetry breaking, flux quantization, properties of type I and II superconductors; mixed phase; microscopic BCS theory: electron-phonon mechanism, Cooper pairing, coherent state, quasiparticle spectrum, thermodynamics and response to magnetic fields; Josephson effects, superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID)and other applications.
Lecture notesLecture notes and additional materials are available.
LiteratureM. Tinkham "Introduction to Superconductivity"
P. G. de Gennes "Superconductivity Of Metals And Alloys"
A. A. Abrikosov "Fundamentals of the Theory of Metals"
V. V. Schmidt "The Physics of Superconductors"
Prerequisites / NoticeThe preceding attendance of the scheduled lecture courses "Introduction to Solid State Physics" and "Quantum Mechanics I" are mandatory. The lectures "Quantum Mechanics II" and "Solid State Theory" provide the most optimal conditions to follow this course.
402-0484-00LExperimental and Theoretical Aspects of Quantum Gases Information
Does not take place this semester.
W6 credits2V + 1UT. Esslinger
AbstractQuantum Gases are the most precisely controlled many-body systems in physics. This provides a unique interface between theory and experiment, which allows addressing fundamental concepts and long-standing questions. This course lays the foundation for the understanding of current research in this vibrant field.
ObjectiveThe lecture conveys a basic understanding for the current research on quantum gases. Emphasis will be put on the connection between theory and experimental observation. It will enable students to read and understand publications in this field.
ContentCooling and trapping of neutral atoms

Bose and Fermi gases

Ultracold collisions

The Bose-condensed state

Elementary excitations

Vortices

Superfluidity

Interference and Correlations

Optical lattices
Lecture notesnotes and material accompanying the lecture will be provided
LiteratureC. J. Pethick and H. Smith, Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute Gases,
Cambridge.
Proceedings of the Enrico Fermi International School of Physics, Vol. CXL,
ed. M. Inguscio, S. Stringari, and C.E. Wieman (IOS Press, Amsterdam,
1999).
402-0898-00LThe Physics of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking Information
Does not take place this semester.
W6 credits2V + 1U
AbstractThe aim is to understand the need of physics beyond the Standard Model, the basic techniques of model building in theories BSM and the elements of collider physics required to analyze their phenomenological implications. After an introduction to the SM and alternative theories of electroweak symmetry breaking, we will investigate these issues in the context of models with warped extra dimensions.
ObjectiveAfter the course the student should have a good knowledge of some of the most relevant theories beyond the Standard Model and have the techniques to understand those theories that have not been surveyed in the course. He or she should be able to compute the constraints on any model of new physics, its successes explaining current experimental data and its main phenomenological implications at colliders.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe former title of this course unit was "The Physics Beyond the Standard Model". If you already got credits for "The Physics Beyond the Standard Model" (402-0898-00L), you cannot get credits for "The Physics of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking" (402-0898-00L).

The knowledge of basic concepts in quantum field theory is assumed.

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Weekly schedule
Tuesdays:
> 13 - 15: Class
> By 18: Hand in exercises (TA: Nicolas Deutschmann)

Thursdays:
> By 13: New exercise series (to be introduced the following day) posted

Fridays
> 12 - 13: Exercise class
402-0833-00LParticle Physics in the Early UniverseW6 credits2V + 1UA. Lazopoulos
AbstractAn introduction to key concepts on the interface of Particle Physics and Early Universe cosmology. Topics include inflation and inflationary models, the ElectroWeak phase transition and vacuum stability, matter-antimatter asymmetry, recombination and the Cosmic Microwave Background, relic abundances and primordial nucleosynthesis, baryogenesis, dark matter and more.
ObjectiveThe objectives of this course is to understand the evolution of the Universe at its early stages, as described by the Standard Model of cosmology, and delve into the insights and constraints imposed by cosmological observations on possible new particles beyond those discovered at the LHC.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Particle Physics Phenomenolgy 1 or Quantum Field Theory 1
Recommended: Quantum Field Theory 2, Advanced Field Theory, General Relativity
402-0897-00LIntroduction to String TheoryW6 credits2V + 1UB. Hoare
AbstractThis course is an introduction to string theory. The first half of the course covers the bosonic string and its quantization in flat space, concluding with the introduction of D-branes and T-duality. The second half will cover some advanced topics, which will be selected from those listed below.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to motivate the subject of string theory, exploring the important role it has played in the development of modern theoretical and mathematical physics. The goal of the first half of the course is to give a pedagogical introduction to the bosonic string in flat space. Building on this foundation, an overview of various more advanced topics will form the second half of the course.
ContentI. Introduction
II. The relativistic point particle
III. The classical closed string
IV. Quantizing the closed string
V. The open string and D-branes
VI. T-duality in flat space

Possible advanced topics include:
VII. Conformal field theory
VIII. The Polyakov path integral
IX. String interactions
X. Low energy effective actions
XI. Superstring theory
LiteratureLecture notes:

String Theory - D. Tong
Link

Lectures on String Theory - G. Arutyunov
Link

Books:

Superstring Theory - M. Green, J. Schwarz and E. Witten (two volumes, CUP, 1988)
Volume 1: Introduction
Volume 2: Loop Amplitudes, Anomalies and Phenomenology

String Theory - J. Polchinski (two volumes, CUP, 1998)
Volume 1: An Introduction to the Bosonic String
Volume 2: Superstring Theory and Beyond
Errata: Link

Basic Concepts of String Theory - R. Blumenhagen, D. Lüst and S. Theisen (Springer-Verlag, 2013)
402-0845-60LQFT Methods for Theories Beyond the Standard Model
Special Students UZH must book the module PHY573 directly at UZH.
W6 credits2V + 1UG. Isidori, J. Fuentes Martin, M. König
AbstractThis course provides a comprehensive introduction to two advanced topics in Quantum Field Theory: Effective Field Theories (EFTs) and Supersymmetry (SUSY).
Objective
ContentThis course covers the basic concepts of effective field theories (EFTs) and quantum field theories beyond the Standard Model (SM). We will start by introducing the core concept of constructing EFTs and apply them to the SM Lagrangian.

In the next part of the course, we will discuss Chiral Perturbation Theory, the low-energy effective theory of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). After this, the concept is applied to describe a class of theories beyond the SM, in which the SM fields arise as condensates of a new confining sector.

For the remainder of the course, we will focus our attention to the concept of Supersymmetry, starting from the discussion of the SUSY algebra and its representations, to arrive, after the presentation of the superspace formalism, to the construction of the supersymmetric version of gauge field theories.


Main topics:

- Introduction to Effective Field Theories
- Decoupling and matching
- Renormalization group resummation
- The Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT)
- Chiral Lagrangians
- Composite models
- The SUSY algebra
- Superspace and superfields
- Supersymmetric field theories
- Supersymmetric gauge theories
LiteratureA. Manohar, Effective field theories, Lect. Notes Phys. 479 (1997) 311 [hep-ph/9606222]
J. Wess and J. Bagger, "Supersymmetry and supergravity".
Mueller-Kirsten & Wiedemann, "Introduction to supersymmetry".
S. Weinberg, "The quantum theory of fields. Vol. 3: Supersymmetry".
Prerequisites / NoticeQFT-I (mandatory) and QFT-II (highly recommended).
402-0878-00LField Theory with Symmetries and the Batalin-Vilkovisky FormalismW4 credits2GM. Schiavina
AbstractThe course is an introduction to the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, which provides a rigorous toolkit to treat classical and quantum field theories with symmetries, generalising the BRST approach. The course will feature applications to gauge theories and general relativity, and possibly to theories with defects (boundaries and corners).
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to expose master and graduate physics students to modern techniques in theoretical and mathematical physics to handle gauge symmetries in classical and quantum field theory. We aim to provide a solid mathematical background for third-semester master and graduate students to adventure further in this research direction.
ContentThe course will start with a review of the BRST formalism expanding on its introduction in Quantum Field Theory II. It will provide a mathematical background on (Lie algebra) cohomology and the necessary requirements to describe the BV formalism, including an introduction to symplectic geometry on graded vector spaces. Applications of the BV formalism to different examples like gauge theories, general relativity and sigma models will be presented, and a discussion on quantisation of classical field theories in this setting, together with possible inclusion of defects, will be considered as concluding topics for the course.
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