Organization
The course consists of three 5-week modules. Each module consists of four lectures and exercise sessions, as well as an exam. Lectures will take place on Mondays at 11:15 - 13:00, followed by a study/exercise session from 13:45 - end.
At the end of the module there is an exam. All exams are pass/fail, and you need to pass all three exams to receive credit for the course.
Please register here before the course begins, even if you do not take the course for credit. We cannot send you important notices or process your grade if you do not register.
Schedule:
Module 1: Lars Fritz (UU)
Renormalization group and critical phenomena
Lectures: Sept, 7, 14, 21, 28
Exam: Oct 5
Abstract: In this module we discuss critical phenomena as encountered at and in the vicinity of (quantum) phase transitions. The language to discuss these phase transitions is the renormalization group. I will introduce it in the condensed matter spirit of the Wilsonian renormalization group but highlight the connections with the high-energy formulation. This course will discuss concepts such as renormalization group transformation, flow, fixed points, and their associated properties. Prerequisites for this course are statistical physics, Landau theory, and classical and/or quantum field theory.
Module 2: Koenraad Schalm (UL)
The AdS/CFT Correspondence and Applications
Lectures: Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2
Exam: Nov 9
Abstract: The anti-de Sitter/Conformal Field theory correspondence provides a unique novel perspective on critical phenomena at second order quantum phase transitions in systems with spatial dimensions d>1. The first half of these lectures will provide technical background to apply the so-called "holographic" techniques of the correspondence. The second half discusses the application to quantum phase transitions in condensed matter: how spontaneous symmetry breaking in a quantum critical system is similar and different to the standard case, the notion of semi-local quantum liquids and their connection to non-Fermi liquids and strange metals.
These lectures will be based on selections from:
• J. Zaanen, Y.Liu, Y-W.Sun, K. Schalm, Holographic duality in condensed matter physics, Cambridge University Press.
Additional references are:
• J. Erdmenger, Introduction to gauge gravity duality, Chapters 1,2,4,5,6.
• S.A. Hartnoll, Lectures on holographic methods for condensed matter physics, Class. Quant. Grav. 26, 224002 (2009).
• N. Iqbal, H. Liu and M. Mezei, Lectures on holographic non-Fermi liquids and quantum phase transitions
Module 3: Alejandra Castro (UvA)
Advanced Topics in General Relativity
Lectures: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7
Exam: Dec 14
Abstract: In this course, we will cover advanced topics in general relativity that are important for our modern understanding of the holographic principle and theoretical aspects of black holes. We will discuss surface charges in gravitation, black hole thermodynamics, and holographic aspects of lower-dimensional gravity. I will assume students have a basic knowledge of general relativity, at the level of Sean Carroll's “Spacetime and Geometry” book, and a reasonable background on quantum field theory.
Contact:
Dr. Lars Fritz
Institute for Theoretical Physics
Utrecht University
Princetonplein 5
3584 CC Utrecht
tel: +31 30 253 3880
e-mail: l.fritz@uu.nl
Prof. Koenraad Schalm
Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics
Leiden University
Niels Bohrweg 2
2335 CA Leiden
email: kschalm@lorentz.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Wouter Waalewijn
Institute for Theoretical Physics
University of Amsterdam
Science Park 904
1098 XH Amsterdam
e-mail: w.j.waalewijn@uva.nl