Transport Theory (MVSem)

All seminar topics have now been assigned and registration is closed. If you are interested you are very welcome to come and listen to the talks (without credit).

The theory seminar takes an in-depth look at transport phenomena ranging from Brownian motion, superfluidity and superconductivity to advanced topics such as disordered systems, quantum critical transport and perfect fluidity.  With these phenomena we will introduce and illustrate different theoretical descriptions such as the Langevin equation, the Boltzmann equation, hydrodynamics and holographic duality.  This compulsory master seminar will be held in person with mandatory attendance.

Topics

• Brownian motion and Langevin equation (8 May)
• Fokker-Planck equation (15 May)
• The Kramers problem (22 May)
• Kinetic theory and Boltzmann equation (29 May)
• Hydrodynamics and conservation laws (5 June)
• Superfluidity (12 June)
• Superconductivity (19 June)
• Linear response theory (26 June)
• Josephson effect (3 July)
• Anderson localization (10 July)
• Perfect fluidity and holographic duality (17 July)

Literature

• A. Altland and B. Simons, Condensed Matter Field Theory, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press 2010.
• K. Huang, Statistical Mechanics, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons 1987.

• C. Mudry, Lecture Notes on Field Theory in Condensed Matter Physics, World Scientific 2014.
• L. Pitaevskii and S. Stringari, Bose-Einstein Condensation, Oxford University Press 2003.
• S. Sachdev, Quantum Phase Transitions, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press 2011.
• H. Smith and H.H. Jensen, Transport Phenomena, Oxford University Press 1989.
• M. Tinkham, Introduction to Superconductivity, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill 1996.
• R. Zwanzig, Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, Oxford University Press 2001.
• W. Zwerger, Theory of Condensed Matter, Lecture Notes, Technical University Munich 2019.

Format

• 60 minute talks on blackboard (you may use slides for illustration) followed by discussion
• attendance at all talks is mandatory
• 10-page writeup to be handed in at the end of the semester
• 6 credit points with grade based on talk, writeup and discussion
• no prerequisites