402-0516-10L  Group Theory and its Applications

SemesterSpring Semester 2020
LecturersD. Pescia
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
402-0516-10 VGroup Theory and its Applications
An understandable lecture on practical applications of symmetry arguments to scientific problems.
3 hrs
Mon09:15-12:00LEE E 101 »
22.08.08:45-16:30HPT C 103 »
29.08.08:45-16:30HPT C 103 »
D. Pescia
402-0516-10 UGroup Theory and its Applications
Possibility of a seminar on a topic by a small group of students as alternative to conventional exercises.
3 hrs
Tue16:45-18:30HIL C 10.2 »
17:00-19:00ER SA TZ »
D. Pescia

Catalogue data

AbstractThis lecture introduces the fundamental concepts of group theory and its applications to general quantum mechanical and solid state physics problems. Symmetry is at the roots of quantum mechanics: this lecture is also a tutorial for students that would like to understand the practical side of the (often difficult) mathematical exposition of regular courses on quantum mechanics.
ObjectiveThe aim of this lecture is to give a fundamental knowledge on the application of symmetry in atoms, molecules and solids. The lecture is intended for students at the master and Phd. level in Physics that would like to have a practical and comprehensive view of the role of symmetry in physics. Students in their third year of Bachelor will be perfectly able to follow the lecture and can use it for their future master curriculuum. Students from other Departement are welcome, as the lecture is designed to be (almost) self-contained. As symmetry is omnipresent in science and in particular quantum mechanics, this lecture is also a tutorial on quantum mechanics for students that would like to understand what is behind the often difficult mathematical exposition of regular courses on quantum mechanics.
Content1. Abstract Group Theory and representation theory of groups
(Fundamentals of groups, Groups and geometry, Point and space groups, Representation theory of groups (H. Weyl, 1885-1955), Reducible and irreducible representations , Properties of irreducible representations, Characters of a representation and theorems involving them, Symmetry adapted vectors)

2. Group theory and eigenvalue problems (General introduction and practical examples)

3. Representations of continuous groups (the circle group, The full rotation group, atomic physics, the translation group and the Schrödinger representation of quantum mechanics, Cristal field splitting, The Peter-Weyl theorem, The Stone-von Neumann theorem, The Harisch-Chandra character)

4. Space groups and their representations (Elements of crystallography, irreducible representations of the space groups, Non-symmorphic space groups)

5. Kronecker (tensor) products (of vectors, of matrices, of groups, of representations)

6. Applications of tensor products (An introduction to the universal covering group, The universal covering group of SO3, SU(2), how to deal with the spin of the electron, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, Double point groups, The Clebsch-Gordan coefficients for point groups, The Wigner-Eckart-Koster theorem and its applications)

7. (tentative) The application of symmetry to phase transitions (Landau).
Lecture notesA manuscript is made available.
Literature-B.L. van der Waerden, Group Theory and Quantum Mechanics, Springer Verlag. ("Old" but still modern).
- L.D. Landau, E.M. Lifshitz, Lehrbuch der Theor. Pyhsik, Band III, "Quantenmechanik", Akademie-Verlag Berlin, 1979, Kap. XII and
Ibidem, Band V, "Statistische Physik", Teil 1, Akademie-Verlag 1987, Kap. XIII and XIV. (Very concise and practical)
-A. Fässler, E. Stiefel, Group Theoretical Methods and Their applications, Birkhäuser. (A classical book on practical group theory, from a strong ETHZ school).
- C. Isham, Lectures on group and vector spaces for physicists, World Scientific. (More mathematical but very didactical)

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits12 credits
ExaminersD. Pescia
Typesession examination
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionThe performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examinationoral 30 minutes
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

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Only public learning materials are listed.

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Restrictions

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Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral Department of PhysicsDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesWInformation
Physics MasterSelection: Solid State PhysicsWInformation