Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Physics Master Information
Core Courses
One Core Course in Experimental or Theoretical Physics from Physics Bachelor is eligible; however, this Core Course from Physics Bachelor cannot be used to compensate for the mandatory Core Course in Experimental or Theoretical Physics.
For the category assignment keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration (Link) after having received the credits.
Core Courses in Theoretical Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0861-00LStatistical PhysicsW10 credits4V + 2UG. Blatter
AbstractThe lecture focuses on classical and quantum statistical physics. Various techniques, cumulant expansion, path integrals, and specific systems are discussed: Fermions, photons/phonons, Bosons, magnetism, van der Waals gas. Phase transitions are studied in mean field theory (Weiss, Landau). Including fluctuations leads to critical phenomena, scaling, and the renormalization group.
ObjectiveThis lecture gives an introduction into the basic concepts and applications of statistical physics for the general use in physics and, in particular, as a preparation for the theoretical solid state physics education.
ContentThermodynamics, three laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic potentials, phenomenology of phase transitions.
Classical statistical physics: micro-canonical-, canonical-, and grandcanonical ensembles, applications to simple systems.
Quantum statistical physics: single particle, ideal quantum gases, fermions and bosons, statistical interaction.
Techniques: variational approach, cumulant expansion, path integral formulation.
Degenerate fermions: Fermi gas, electrons in magnetic field.
Bosons: photons and phonons, Bose-Einstein condensation.
Magnetism: Ising-, XY-, Heisenberg models, Weiss mean-field theory.
Van der Waals gas-liquid transition in mean field theory.
General mean-field (Landau) theory of phase transitions, first- and second order, tricritical point.
Fluctuations: field theory approach, Gauss theory, self-consistent field, Ginzburg criterion.
Critical phenomena: scaling theory, universality.
Renormalization group: general theory and applications to spin models (real space RG), phi^4 theory (k-space RG), Kosterlitz-Thouless theory.
Lecture notesLecture notes available in English.
LiteratureNo specific book is used for the course. Relevant literature will be given in the course.
402-0843-00LQuantum Field Theory I
Special Students UZH must book the module PHY551 directly at UZH.
W10 credits4V + 2UC. Anastasiou
AbstractThis course discusses the quantisation of fields in order to introduce a coherent formalism for the combination of quantum mechanics and special relativity.
Topics include:
- Relativistic quantum mechanics
- Quantisation of bosonic and fermionic fields
- Interactions in perturbation theory
- Scattering processes and decays
- Elementary processes in QED
- Radiative corrections
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to provide a solid introduction to the formalism, the techniques, and important physical applications of quantum field theory. Furthermore it prepares students for the advanced course in quantum field theory (Quantum Field Theory II), and for work on research projects in theoretical physics, particle physics, and condensed-matter physics.
402-0830-00LGeneral Relativity Information
Special Students UZH must book the module PHY511 directly at UZH.
W10 credits4V + 2UR. Renner
AbstractIntroduction to the theory of general relativity. The course puts a strong focus on the mathematical foundations of the theory as well as the underlying physical principles and concepts. It covers selected applications, such as the Schwarzschild solution and gravitational waves.
ObjectiveBasic understanding of general relativity, its mathematical foundations (in particular the relevant aspects of differential geometry), and some of the phenomena it predicts (with a focus on black holes).
ContentIntroduction to the theory of general relativity. The course puts a strong focus on the mathematical foundations, such as differentiable manifolds, the Riemannian and Lorentzian metric, connections, and curvature. It discusses the underlying physical principles, e.g., the equivalence principle, and concepts, such as curved spacetime and the energy-momentum tensor. The course covers some basic applications and special cases, including the Newtonian limit, post-Newtonian expansions, the Schwarzschild solution, light deflection, and gravitational waves.
LiteratureSuggested textbooks:

C. Misner, K, Thorne and J. Wheeler: Gravitation
S. Carroll - Spacetime and Geometry: An Introduction to General Relativity
R. Wald - General Relativity
S. Weinberg - Gravitation and Cosmology
Core Courses: Experimental Physics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0257-00LAdvanced Solid State Physics Restricted registration - show details W10 credits3V + 2UA. Zheludev, K. Povarov
AbstractThis course is an extension of the introductory course on solid state physics.

The purpose of this course is to learn to navigate the complex collective quantum phases, excitations and phase transitions
that are the dominant theme in modern solid state physics. The emphasis is on the main concepts and on specific experimental
examples, both classic ones and those from recent research.
ObjectiveThe goal is to study how novel phenomena emerge in the solid state.
Content= Today's challenges and opportunities in Solid State Physics

= Phase transitions and critical phenomena
.Main concepts: coherence length, symmetry, order parameter, correlation functions, generalized susceptibility
.Bragg-Williams mean field theory
.Landau theory of phase transitions
.Fluctuations in Landau theory
.Critical exponents: significance, measurement, inequalities, equalities
.Scaling and hyperscaling
.Universality
.Critical dynamics
.Quantum phase transitions and quantum criticality

=Fermi surface instabilities
. The concept of the Landau Fermi liquid in metals
. Kohn anomalies
. Charge density waves
. Metallic ferromagnets and half-metals
. Spin density waves

=Magnetism of insulators
.Magnetic interactions in solids and the spin Hamiltonian
.Magnetic structures and phase transitions
.Spin waves
.Quantum magnetism

= Electron correlations in solids
. Mott insulating state
. Phases of the Hubbard model
. Layered cuprates (non-superconducting properties)
Lecture notesThe printed material for this course involves: (1) a self-contained script, distributed electronically at semester start. (2) experimental examples (Power Point slide-style) selected from original publications, distributed at the start of every lecture.
LiteratureA list of books will be distributed. Numerous references to useful published scientific papers will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is for students who like to be engaged in active learning. The "exercise classes" are organized in a non-traditional way: following the idea of "less is more", we will work on only about half a dozen topics, and this gives students a chance to take a look at original literature (provided), and to get the grasp of a topic from a broader perspective.

Students report back that this mode of "exercise class" is more satisfying than traditional modes, even if it does not mean less effort.
402-0442-00LQuantum OpticsW10 credits3V + 2UJ. Home
AbstractThis course gives an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Quantum Optics and will highlight state-of-the-art developments in this rapidly evolving discipline. The topics covered include the quantum nature of light, semi-classical and quantum mechanical description of light-matter interaction, laser manipulation of atoms and ions, optomechanics and quantum computation.
ObjectiveThe course aims to provide the knowledge necessary for pursuing research in the field of Quantum Optics. Fundamental concepts and techniques of Quantum Optics will be linked to modern experimental research. During the course the students should acquire the capability to understand currently published research in the field.
ContentThis course gives an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Quantum Optics and will highlight state-of-the-art developments in this rapidly evolving discipline. The topics that are covered include:

- coherence properties of light
- quantum nature of light: statistics and non-classical states of light
- light matter interaction: density matrix formalism and Bloch equations
- quantum description of light matter interaction: the Jaynes-Cummings model, photon blockade
- laser manipulation of atoms and ions: laser cooling and trapping, atom interferometry,
- further topics: Rydberg atoms, optomechanics, quantum computing, complex quantum systems.
Lecture notesSelected book chapters will be distributed.
LiteratureText-books:

G. Grynberg, A. Aspect and C. Fabre, Introduction to Quantum Optics
R. Loudon, The Quantum Theory of Light
Atomic Physics, Christopher J. Foot
Advances in Atomic Physics, Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and David Guéry-Odelin
C. Cohen-Tannoudji et al., Atom-Photon-Interactions
M. Scully and M.S. Zubairy, Quantum Optics
Y. Yamamoto and A. Imamoglu, Mesoscopic Quantum Optics
402-0402-00LUltrafast Laser Physics Information W10 credits3V + 2UL. P. Gallmann, S. Johnson, U. Keller
AbstractIntroduction to ultrafast laser physics with an outlook into cutting edge research topics such as attosecond science and coherent ultrafast sources from THz to X-rays.
ObjectiveUnderstanding of basic physics and technology for pursuing research in ultrafast laser science. How are ultrashort laser pulses generated, how do they interact with matter, how can we measure these shortest man-made events and how can we use them to time-resolve ultrafast processes in nature? Fundamental concepts and techniques will be linked to a selection of hot topics in current research and applications.
ContentThe lecture covers the following topics:

a) Linear pulse propagation: mathematical description of pulses and their propagation in linear optical systems, effect of dispersion on ultrashort pulses, concepts of pulse carrier and envelope, time-bandwidth product

b) Dispersion compensation: technologies for controlling dispersion, pulse shaping, measurement of dispersion

c) Nonlinear pulse propagation: intensity-dependent refractive index (Kerr effect), self-phase modulation, nonlinear pulse compression, self-focusing, filamentation, nonlinear Schrödinger equation, solitons, non-instantaneous nonlinear effects (Raman/Brillouin), self-steepening, saturable gain and absorption

d) Second-order nonlinearities with ultrashort pulses: phase-matching with short pulses and real beams, quasi-phase matching, second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation, parametric amplification and generation

e) Relaxation oscillations: dynamical behavior of rate equations after perturbation

f) Q-switching: active Q-switching and its theory based on rate equations, active Q-switching technologies, passive Q-switching and theory

g) Active modelocking: introduction to modelocking, frequency comb versus axial modes, theory for various regimes of laser operation, Haus master equation formalism

h) Passive modelocking: slow, fast and ideally fast saturable absorbers, semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM), designs of and materials for SESAMs, modelocking with slow absorber and dynamic gain saturation, modelocking with ideally fast saturable absorber, Kerr-lens modelocking, soliton modelocking, Q-switching instabilities in modelocked lasers, inverse saturable absorption

i) Pulse duration measurements: rf cables and electronics, fast photodiodes, linear system theory for microwave test systems, intensity and interferometric autocorrelations and their limitations, frequency-resolved optical gating, spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction and more

j) Noise: microwave spectrum analyzer as laser diagnostics, amplitude noise and timing jitter of ultrafast lasers, lock-in detection

k) Ultrafast measurements: pump-probe scheme, transient absorption/differential transmission spectroscopy, four-wave mixing, optical gating and more

l) Frequency combs and carrier-envelope offset phase: measurement and stabilization of carrier-envelope offset phase (CEP), time and frequency domain applications of CEP-stabilized sources

m) High-harmonic generation and attosecond science: non-perturbative nonlinear optics / strong-field phenomena, high-harmonic generation (HHG), phase-matching in HHG, attosecond pulse generation, attosecond technology: detectors and diagnostics, attosecond metrology (streaking, RABBITT, transient absorption, attoclock), example experiments

n) Ultrafast THz science: generation and detection, physics in THz domain, weak-field and strong-field applications

o) Brief introduction to other hot topics: relativistic and ultra-high intensity ultrafast science, ultrafast electron sources, free-electron lasers, etc.
Lecture notesClass notes will be made available.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Basic knowledge of quantum electronics (e. g., 402-0275-00L Quantenelektronik).
402-0891-00LPhenomenology of Particle Physics IW10 credits3V + 2UA. Rubbia, P. Crivelli
AbstractTopics to be covered in Phenomenology of Particle Physics I:
Relativistic kinematics
Decay rates and cross sections
The Dirac equation
From the S-matrix to the Feynman rules of QED
Scattering processes in QED
Experimental tests of QED
Hadron spectroscopy
Unitary symmetries and QCD
QCD and alpha_s running
QCD in e^+e^- annihilation
Experimental tests of QCD in e^+e^- annihilation
ObjectiveIntroduction to modern particle physics
ContentTopics to be covered in Phenomenology of Particle Physics I:
Relativistic kinematics
Decay rates and cross sections
The Dirac equation
From the S-matrix to the Feynman rules of QED
Scattering processes in QED
Experimental tests of QED
Hadron spectroscopy
Unitary symmetries and QCD
QCD and alpha_s running
QCD in e^+e^- annihilation
Experimental tests of QCD in e^+e^- annihilation
LiteratureAs described in the entity: Lernmaterialien
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