TOPOLOGICAL METHODS IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS (fall 2018)
This fall's Delta ITP Course Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics aimed at advanced (2nd year) Master’s students, PhD and postdoctoral researchers, is built around the general theme of "Topological methods in theoretical physics".
Lectures will take place on Mondays at 11:15-13:00, followed by a study/exercise session 13:45- end.
The location of this semester's course rotates between the three institutes. The first module is in Amsterdam, the second in Leiden and the third in Utrecht.
The course will be divided into three 5-week modules; for each one there are four lectures (2hrs each) and four exercise sessions (4hrs each). At the end of the module there is an exam. All exams will be greaded with a pass or fail. You need to pass all three exams to receive credit for the course.
Please fill in the registration form before the course begins, even if you do not take the course for credit.
We cannot process your grade or send important notices if you do not register.
Travel Cost Reimbursement:
Students who do not have an OV-card from the Dutch government, can have their travel costs reimbursed by Delta ITP.
Please contact the local coordinator (below) for details.
- Module 1:
Geometry and topology of quantum states
Vladimir Gritsev (UvA)
Lecture dates: Sep 10, 17, 24, Oct 1
Location lectures: room G5.29; exercise sessions: room G0.05
EXAM: Oct 8; take-home examAbstract: A tentative content of the course will include introduction into geometry of mixed and pure states of arbitrary quantum system, derived from the quantum-information based perspectives. We apply this technique for characterization of quantum phases of matter and quantum phase transitions between them. Then we are going to discuss topological aspects of quantum states which naturally emerges from the quantum geometric structure.
- Module 2:
Topological defects
Ana Achúcarro (UL)
Lecture dates: Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5
Location lectures: room Huygens HL414 (exception 22/10 from 11-12h45 in Snellius 412); exercise sessions: room Huygens HL226 (exception 22/10 from 13h30-17h00 in Snellius B01)
EXAM: Nov 12; room Huygens HL414Abstract: The first part of this module is an introduction to domain walls, vortices, monopoles and other field theory defects from condensed matter to cosmology (formation, interactions, network evolution, gravitational properties). The second part will discuss the relation between topology and stability, BPS bounds, supersymmetry breaking and other related topics.
- Module 3:
Topological quantum matter: from quantum Hall states to topological crystalline phases and beyond
Vladimir Juricic (NORDITA, Stockholm)
Lecture dates: Nov 19, 26, Dec 3, 10
Location lectures/exercise sessions:
Nov 19 – 11:00-12:45 in Buys Ballot building (BBG) 0.79; exercise sessions: 13:15-17:00 in Koningsberger building (KBG) 2.28
Nov 26 – 11:00-12:45 in BBG 1.06; exercise sessions: 13:15-17:00 in KBG 2.28
Dec 3 – 11:00-17:00 NOTICE CHANGE OF ROOM – Buys Ballot building, room 7.12
Dec 10 – 11:00-17:00 NOTICE CHANGE OF ROOM – Buys Ballot building, room 7.12
EXAM Dec 17 – 11:00-17:00 TAKE HOME EXAMAbstract: This course will cover aspects of physics of topological electronic states in both gapped and gapless systems based on the topological band theory. The first part of the course will discuss the quantum Hall states, as well as two- and three-dimensional time reversal symmetric topological insulators, including the corresponding topological invariants and the bulk-boundary correspondence. Its second part will be devoted to the more recent developments in the field of topological condensed matter physics, in particular the notions of topological crystalline insulators and Weyl semimetals, and their physical consequences in terms of the surface states and the quantum transport. Finally, if the time permits, a short overview of the concept of higher order topological insulators will be given.
- 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.nlProf. Koenraad Schalm
Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics
Leiden University
Niels Bohrweg 2
2335 CA Leiden
email: kschalm@lorentz.leidenuniv.nlDr. Wouter Waalewijn
Institute for Theoretical Physics
University of Amsterdam
Science Park 904
1098 XH Amsterdam
tel: +31 (0)20 525 3204
e-mail: w.j.waalewijn@uva.nl - Participants: