FY802: Statistical physics (10 ECTS)

STADS: 07002401

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.
1st and 2nd quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: mlomholt@memphys.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Bachelor's degree in physics or equivalent degree.

Course introduction
Insight into methods, models and phenomena in modern statistical mechanics.

Expected learning outcome
After completing the course, the student will be able to

• Choose relevant models of equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena in systems with many degrees of freedom
• Apply relevant numerical methods
• Validate and interpret the results of both simulations and theoretical analyses
• Critically examine different levels of description for the same physical phenomenon

Subject overview
Block 1: Systems of interacting particles, cooperative phenomena in thermal equilibrium and phase transitions. These concepts are demonstrated using lattice models, phenomenological descriptions, and numerical simulations. Computer simulation techniques are introduced together with the associated theoretical conceps: linear response, autocorrelation functions, Master and Fokker-Planck equations, Markov chains, and their mathematical properties.

Block 2: Critical phenomena, renormilization theory and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: 2.nd order phase transitions, critical exponents and scaling at a critical point, renormalization and scale invariance, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, transport coefficients, and Boltzmann’s equation.

Literature

• Michel Le Bellac, Fabrice Mortessagne, G. George Batrouni: Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics, Cambridge University Press.

Syllabus
See syllabus.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Part 1:
The first part is evaluated by:
(a) the making of a report (1 or 2 students, app. 15 pages) about own simulation results. Passed/not passed. Internal evaluation by teacher.
(b) a short, individual oral exam. The report is the starting point. Internal marking. The grade is given according to the 7-point marking scale and will count for 50% of the total grade for the course.

Part 2:
The second part is evaluated by:
(a) a presentation. 7-point marking scale and the grade will count for the last 50% of the total grade. External marking.

The 2 exams must be passed with at least 02 as the total grade. If this is not accomplished, the student must take a reexam in the part(s) which is not passed. The grade -3 or “absent” must not show in any of the part exams.

Reexam after 4th quarter.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger, antal timer 50.
Eksaminatorietimer/opgaveregning, antal timer 22.
Laboratorieøvelser (computer), antal timer 12
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English, if international students participate. Otherwise the course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.