Topics in Theoretical Physics

Code:

F4036

Acronym:

F4036

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:F	19	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course unit will be organized into two modules, whose content and assessment will be independent:

• Module 1: Electronic Transport in Disordered Systems:




• Learn to address non-equilibrium problems, particularly electronic transport in both the linear and nonlinear regimes.


• Learn to use perturbative methods to include disorder contributions in the calculation of electronic transport quantities.




• Module 2: Applications of Field Theory methods to Statistical Physics:




• Learn to describe and classify the states of matter, their collective properties and the mechanisms of transformation from one phase to another.


• Use methods from classical field theories; use of symmetries, treatment of nonlinearities by perturbation theory and renormalization group (RG) method.


• Provide sufficient familiarity with this subject to enable one to follow the current literature on subjects such as phase transitions, growth phenomena, polymers, superconductors, etc.

Learning outcomes and competences

• Module of  Electronic Transport in Disordered Systems




• Acquire fundamental techniques for calculating electronic transport properties in disordered systems.




• Module of applications of Field Theory methods to Statistical Physics:




• Demonstrate the ability to understand concepts, models and techniques of Field Theory applied to Statistical Physics.


• Develop skills and knowledge that streamline research and development activities, in particular, that facilitate the reading and understanding of literature in the field.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

• Module of  Electronic Transport in Disordered Systems




• Prerequisites: Knowledge of Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics, and Solid State Physics




• Module of applications of Field Theory methods to Statistical Physics:




• Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Statistical Physics is essential.

Program

Module of  Electronic Transport in Disordered Systems

1. Linear response theory
2. Green’s functions
3. Equations of motion
4. Green’s functions in imaginary time
5. Feynman diagrams and disordered external potentials

Module of applications of Field Theory methods to Statistical Physics:

1. Collective behavior, from particles to fields
2. Statistical fields and the Landau–Ginzburg Hamiltonian
3. Fluctuations and Gaussian integrals
4. Critical correlation functions, self-similarity and renormalization
5. Perturbative renormalization group
6. Topological defects and the XY model
7. Critical and dissipative dynamics

Mandatory literature

Kardar, M.; Statistical Physics of Fields, Cambridge University Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780521873413
Bruus , Henrik; Many-body quantum theory in condensed matter physics : an introduction. ISBN: 0-19-856633-6

Complementary Bibliography

Täuber, U.C.; Critical Dynamics: A Field Theory Approach to Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Scaling Behavior, Cambridge University Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780521842235

Comments from the literature

Teaching methods and learning activities

Module of  Electronic Transport in Disordered Systems

Module of applications of Field Theory methods to Statistical Physics:

• Theoretical classes in discussion group format. Problem-based classes in discussion group format. Preparation of a review of a scientific article.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Maximum of two absences from problem classes in each module.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade, on a scale of 0-20, will be the sum of the grades obtained in each module, with each module being graded for this purpose between 0-10 points. The grade for each module will be calculated as follows:

MODULE 1 GRADE (0-10) = 100% (final exam to be taken at the end of the module)

MODULE 2 GRADE (0-10) = 40% (final exam) + 20% (participation in theoretical classes) + 20% (participation in problem-solving classes) + 20% (article review)

The final grade will be given by:

FINAL GRADE (0-20) = MODULE 1 GRADE + MODULE 2 GRADE

Examinations or Special Assignments

Internship work/project

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Classification improvement

In both modules, only the final written exam component can be improved.

Observations