NFYK14010U Advanced Topics in Condensed Matter Theory

Volume 2020/2021
Education

MSc Programme in Physics

Content

In this course, we will cover selected topics in condensed matter theory at an advanced and in-depth level.

Specific topics will vary from year to year. Typical selections will include:

• Renormalization group for condensed matter systems

• 1D interacting models, Luttinger liquids and bosonization

• Overview of the Sine-Gordon model and the BKT phase transition

• Quantum phase transitions and the Ising model

• Majorana modes and topological superconductors

• Berry’s phase

• Topological insulators

• Topological order, anyons and topological quantum computation

• Quantum Hall physics

The course will be highly interactive, with a mixture of lectures, problem sessions and discussions led by all participants.

Learning Outcome

Skills
In this course, the students will learn to think like researchers. This includes getting into a new topic by reading original research papers, learning to identify new questions, and distilling key physical principles at play in complex phenomena. In particular, each student will investigate a specific topic, carrying out detailed calculations and writing a final report on his/her understanding and findings.

Knowledge
At the end of the course, the student will know the fundamentals of the year’s selected topics and their connections to other areas of modern physics. The knowledge will be at a level such that the participants will be prepared to follow and conduct research in the given area.

Competences
After this course the students will be experienced in a method for starting research in a new area. They will be able to extract the needed information from existing literature and to think about new directions for the research area in question.

to be announced

Advanced quantum mechanics and condensed matter theory on the level taught in ”Condensed Matter Theory 1” at UCPH.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The course will be highly interactive, with a mixture of lectures, problem sessions and discussions led by all participants.
Restricted elective for specialisation "Quantum Physics". The course is also relevant for PhD students
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 50
  • Preparation
  • 113
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Project work
  • 24
  • Guidance
  • 9
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester

Written feedback will be given about the final report

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
The evaluation is based on the following assignments:

• Problems sets (counting for up to 30 points)
• Final report (counting for up to 30 points)

To pass the exam the student must score at least 15 points in both the problem sets and report and at least 35 points in total
Exam registration requirements

80% attendance

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
one internal examiner plus one internal censor.
Re-exam

New final report and oral exam.

If a student fails to qualify for the exam due to lack of attendance, he/she may qualify for the re-exam by orally presenting his/her solutions to the final problem set to the instructor, working through the solutions on the board.

Criteria for exam assesment

see learning outcome