Statistical Physics
Left: magnet levitating above a superconductor. Right: Velocity distributions of rubidium atoms confirming the existence of the Bose Einstein condensate.
This course describes the thermal properties of several systems in equilibrium with an emphasis on explaining the phenomena of Phase transitions. The models and their relevance for physical systems that are treated include: the Ising model, the Van-der-Waals fluid and some introduction to the XY and Heisenberg models. Some of the topics covered are convexity properties of the Free energy, methods for exact solutions, order parameters, mean-field theories, the Landau theory of phase transition and its limitations, spontaneous symmetry breaking, first and second order phase transitions, scaling and universality classes and the Kosterlitz Thouless phase transition.
This is a second cycle course given at half speed during daytime. This course can also be taken as a third cycle course.
Teaching Format
The teaching consists of lectures and problem solving sessions.
Assessment
The course is examined by a final written examination, and continual assessment through weekly hand-in assignments which can earn the students some bonus points.
Examiner
“Lectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization Group,” by Nigel Goldenfeld, Addison Wesley (1992)
Course coordinator and teacher:
David Milstead, tel: 08 5537 8663, e-mail: milstead@fysik.su.se
Exercises:
Ludovico Theo Giorgini, e-mail: ludovico.giorgini@su.se
Academic advisor at the Department of Physics: studievagledare@fysik.su.se
Student office: studentexp@fysik.su.se
